Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2015)
S t r e e t R o o t s • A u g . 7 -1 3 , 2 0 1 5 Vendors Page 6 Storm Dancing at Street Roots. Something he wished others would understand about people who are homeless is that what might seem like strange behavior is a result of experiences those people have had. For example, Timms knows a man who BY CHRISTINE MENGES STAFF WRITER often seems like he’s talking to himself and ignores people when they speak to him. esse Timms is originally from Southern What passers-by on the street don’t know is California but found his way to Portland that the man is deaf. after a series of job searches led him Timms has another friend who was e. Timms’ first job was with the Navy, injured at his job when a heavy object fell which he joined as a young adult However, on his head. The man was not given he did not like the experience and soon left workers’ compensation, and today he He went on to work many odd jobs in suffers from hallucinations. factories, construction and food production. “A lot of the time, he just looks like Finally, he got a job with Orange County’s some crazy homeless man, and they largest animal shelter. He said that although don’t know that he has a brain injury. the job was challenging at times, he really He’s a college graduate. He was a enjoyed working there. productive, normal person, and then However, conflicts with management and he was disabled like that,” Timms chronic understaffing eventually made said. Timms decide to leave, and so he headed to Timms also said that people Oklahoma where he found a job working at with homes have a place to vent • McDonald’s. Although he was glad to have a off steam when they’ve had a job, the wages were low, and then his sister difficult day. Homeless people, died, which left him feeling depressed. As a Timms said, do not have that result, he missed a few days of work and luxury, which also might lost his job. So he hit the road again and landed in Portland. Between jobs now, Timms says he is just trying to figure out what he wants to do, and to also get his Veterans Affairs registration, which will give him medical and dental care. In the meantime, he continues with the vendor program VENDOR PROFILE by J. Mccurdy Jesse Timms don’t be the match that strikes my skin her breaths matched the ragged asset beat of the heart who had suddenly forgotten its own rhythms he watched her eyes set fire to lightning watched terror and adrenaline surrender and all out war break out along nerve endings that couldn’t wait to begin and to be honest for a minute he wasn’t sure if Kevlar... or a parachute would save the day... but for sure and for certain it was a cliff diving kinda day i Answers to puzzles on page 15 explain some of the behavior other people see. One thing Street Roots offers Timms is a place to call home. He said he likes the fact that he can stop by the office and use the bathroom or get a cup of coffee. “We don’t have a place here you can think of as your ‘house,”’ Timms said. “Street Roots is part of my ‘house’ here in Portland.’’ In the future, Timms wants to get back into working with animals. A few years ago, he was working on a ranch m New Mexico and picked up a few skills in agriculture. He thinks that with his skills, he will be able to work on a small-scale farm. “Agriculture is the foundation of any economy. People need to eat,” he said. “That’s what I’d like to do for myself.” N 1 N 3 al 3 >1 0 A 3 1. s 1 3 HJ I PHOTO BY COLE MERKEL © CENTRAL C IT Y COFFEE Out of Luck? SMnhuM. SOo-yood. Sourcing & roasting craft coffee to benefit programs at Central City Concern. IN STORES Free Counseling for Gambling Problems Call 503-239-5952 ÖSSife New Seasons Market, Whole Foods, Food Front Cooperative Grocery, Green Zebra, Chuck's Produce and Will Leather Goods. 8 Z L k 9 e 6 9 8 2 z 9 I- p £ 6 9 9 p 6 S 9 1. S £ L £ Z 6 Z S L L £ 9 L i 6 8 k 9 Z k L £ 8 L 9 6 8 Z 8 Í Z 9 p £ 6 9 9 k t i z 2 9 8 p p 8 6 Z £ 9 9 6 9 i 2 £ AT YOUR OFFICE Interested In serving Central City Coffee a t your office? Get in touch w ith us and we can help you make that happen. 503.226.7387 ON OUR WEBSITE Buy Central City Coffee online and have it shipped directly to you or a friend. Follow our Facebook page fo r updates and specials. centralcitycoffee.org facebook.com/CentralCityCoffee coffee@ccconcern.org VENDOR WORK ADS Farmer Shaun: If you need gardening, clean-up or any general labor services call Farmer Shaun. 971-222-9938.
