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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2012)
street roots 2 May 11, 2012 EDITORIAL The power of hope drives and connects us all I Future leaders could learn from following priorities t’s not a given that our elected representatives will prioritize housing in today’s political climate. Multnomah County is fortunate to have leaders that recognize that without a safety net for housing and homeless services, we can’t be a truly progressive society. In this year’s budget process, still mired in the economic slump, Mayor Sam Adams and County Chair Je ff Cogen have continued to set a standard that our friends and neighbors in need are a priority. And that setting priorities means more than lip service and a positive spin. It’s something the current slate of candidates should keep in mind. However, we still have much work to do. The lack If we as a community of jobs, a sputtering don't find a way, all the economy and a broken tax sustainability centers and system means hard working green buildings and Oregonians continue to be alternative transportation priced out of the housing modes in the world won't market. Those even less matter — at least not for fortunate find themselves middle-class Portlanders on the brink of who call this city there hom elessness or actually home today. sleeping outdoors. These hard realities are documented in the current edition of Street Roots with the cover story on the impacts of the foreclosure crisis in our neighborhoods, where empty homes are laid to waste. It’s also heard in the trembling voices of families who call 211info and find themselves at the end of their ropes. M any people are fortunate to never find them selves in such a circumstance. And yet too many individuals and families find themselves on the edge, that indescribable place foreign to most Portlanders, a surreal moment swallowed by the reality of losing everything. Logic is lost. Rational thought disappears. Trauma, despair - survival mode set in. To say how much we appreciate the city and county I p r io r itiz in g h o u s in g is s in c e r e . B u t to c la im v ic to ry w o u ld b e short-sighted. After years of budget cuts, there is still a hole in the bucket. Homeownership relief hangs in the balance, important programs funded under the Portland Children’s Levy are on the brink, and securing sustainable funding for affordable housing continues to be the question of the day, the month and the election year. In the mid-90s Portland set a goal to achieve 5,183 affordable housing units downtown, the same number we had in 1978. Today, according to Northwest Pilot Project’s inventory, we have 1,200 fewer units available than when we set the goal. In order to change course, we need bold leadership that is willing to push beyond the tired boundaries. We’re not just talking about government leaders. We’re talking about business and civic leaders downtown who are more than willing to sit at the table and give money to specific programs, when what is really needed is big picture thinking on housing and hom elessness. We need a dedicated funding source beyond our current options to support hard-working Portlanders, and those down on their luck. If we as a community don’t find a way, all the sustainability centers and green buildings and alternative transportation modes in the world won’t matter - at least not for middle-class Portlanders who call this city their home today. It will be a land of only the rich and poor. And Portland will be anything but progressive in the decades to come. Israel Bayer is the executive director o f Street Roots. You can reach him at israel@ streetroots.org Street Roots 211 NW Davis St. Portland, OR 97209 503-228-5657 Fax: 503-227-3117 www.streetroots.org www.streetroots.wordpress.com n laffn rm and and an an important im n n rtan that we have a o platform role to play in the community. We believe in both individual and social change. We believe in creating a platform for people, regardless of their lot in life or past experiences, and recognizing that we all have something to contribute to society. Maybe it’s a poem, maybe it’s a smile, possibly it’s a bit of street wisdom and just having a familiar face to say hi each morning. “Street Roots has really been a blessing to m e,” says Cynthia who sells at NW 23rd and Hoyt. “Before I started with Street Roots I was down and out, and I was homeless and not doing too good, and I just felt lost. Having Street Roots in my life has helped me have purpose. I’m doing this not only for myself, but it’s a gift from God to help me in my heart. I’m a people person.” That’s what I’m talking about it. We are all different at Street Roots, with different backgrounds and experiences and beliefs, and some of us are down and out. But that doesn’t stop us. There’s hope and ultimately, love. And there’s nothing more nnw nrfnl than love. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Send letters to the editor to the Street Roots office, 211 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209, or by e-mail to joanne® streetroots.org. Bruce Anderson (Chairman), Michael Anderson (Vice- chairman), Heather Stadick (Treasurer), Eddy Barbosa (Secretary), Rich Rodgers, Brad Taylor, Leo Rhodes, Ken Hawkins, Nora Coon, Darren Alexander catalysts for individual and social change. Street Roots publishes every tw o weeks, launching on Fridays, and is available exclusively through our street vendors or ty subscription. We are proud members of the North American Street Newspaper Association and the — * — 1 Network of Street Papers. t feels good when you have peace in your life,” says Willie Bradford, a Street ___ Roots vendor. “We all have problems, but I never give up on hope. That’s one of my things: Never give up on hope for nothing.” You can never underestimate hope and what it can do for people. Beyond the By Israel Bayer income that vendors obtain through your support, it’s hope that makes the vendor program a worthwhile venture for many individuals and families. The conversations and relationships built with many of you each day is something that many vendors hold onto the most. Time and again, vendors come into the office and talk about readers and how much they brighten their days. Way back when, former housing advocate and City Commissioner Erik Sten said that Street Roots was changing the face of homelessness in Portland. We believe that holds true more now than ever. We know Program Assistant Cole Merkel, Jesuit Volunteer Volunteers AmeriCorps Member Mary Pacios, Leo Rhodes, Jan Bayer, Eliese Baker, Sue Zalokar, Michael Moore, Robert Britt, Cynthia Kiehl, Hannah Schultz, Robyn Wirkes Sarah Cloud Accountant Heather Stadick Reporters Amanda Waldroupe, Jake Thomas, Devan Schwartz, Robert Britt, Sue Zalokar Photographers Leah Nash, Ken Hawkins, Kristina W right 7, Street Roots Rose City Resource Street Roots publishes the Rose City Resource, a comprehensive booklet o f services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. To inquire about getting an order o f the Rose City Resource for distribution, please write to pdxrosecityresource@gmail.com. Resources are also available online at www.rosecityresource.org. 75 goes who sold you the paper Vendor orientations are at 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Street Roots office.
