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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2016)
Street Roots • July 15-21, 2016 Homelessness isn’t normal that’s in front of you. You try to be present. You try tanding in line waiting for dinner after a long day, a day after returning from vacation, I to be strategic. checked my email. It was a hospital social Of course, very rarely, does anyone actually worker. Simon was in the emergency room again. verbalize these kinds of thoughts in a public The fourth time this week. manner. As the executive director of Street Roots It was at least the seventh time Simon had been and community leader, I’m not allowed to appear admitted to the emergency room in the past six vulnerable. But it’s exactly what I was, vulnerable. weeks after having a heart attack on the streets. I chose not to go to the E.R. that night to see The list was long. Possible Simon, but Simon’s story and, more importantly, stroke. Severe seizures his rapidly declining health and lack of housing related to alcohol continues to gnaw at me. withdrawal. Head trauma. BIBECTOB'i Simon has been homeless for more than a Now, Simon was hardly D SSS decade. His life has been a living hell. Drinking responsive, laying in the most nights to chase away whatever demons had E.R. with what they were By Israel Bayer calling altered mental status. led him to the streets —Simon was a chronic alcoholic. He was in his 50s, but starting to look as Simon, whose real name I’m not using for this story, though he was 70. Simon needed both housing and has a special place in my h eart a supportive recovery network. Unfortunately, After reading the email, I considered jumping in Simon’s insurance had lapsed. Finding a recovery a cab and heading to the hospital. program with no insurance is almost I had visited him on multiple impossible. There is still no housing occasions at the emergency room, immediately available. The reality Is that like I do with many vendors. I’ve The reality is that beyond the beyond the efforts of sat with him, holding his hand. efforts of the dedicated handful of the dedicated Trying to make sense of what was homeless outreach workers, a couple going on and what we could do to handful of homeless of staff at Street Roots and a hospital help. I have debated with nurses outreach workers, a social worker — Simon didn’t have a and doctors on his behalf, conple of staff at chance in hell in making it much requesting that he remain in the Street Roots and a longer. hospital. I had pleaded with them hospital social “How was this story going to end,” to refer Simon into a housing I think to myself. worker — Simon program for outgoing patients. Would Simon end up like so many d id n 't have a chance There were no beds available. Street Roots has provided Simon in hell in making it others who had died long before with money for a hotel when the much longer. "How their time? Would he eventually funds allowed. was this story going recover, only to be a shell of himself Staring at my dinner that night, and we would find him housing? to end," 1 think to after spending a week in the Would the system find time and myself. wilderness and coming back to resources to prioritize Simon, among work, I realized in that moment the thousands of people in dire just how traumatized I had situations? I sure hope so. become from the years of working Simon story isn’t an isolated incident The lack on the streets. The despair. The suffering. The of housing and skyrocketing rents has created a survival. The death. The endless stories, one after perfect storm. The public has grown angry and another, came rushing into my mind. There they intolerant in some cases, staging protests against stood, like ghosts, seeking refuge in a world gone the homeless. Politicians are scrambling and wrong, an illogical world. It hit me like a ton of frustrated. The media ponders on a daily basis bricks. about the right way to cover the issue. The Regardless of whether you’re someone landscape seems to be changing by the day. experience homelessness, a police officer, an E.R. One thing remains constant through it all. nurse or a social worker, you try to never let yourself get trapped by the trauma, by these Homelessness is not normal. It’s not normal for thoughts. You dust it off. You bury it. You let it go. you. It’s not normal for me. It’s not normal for the You move on. You seek self-care where you can millions of Americans seeking a safe place to call find it. You cry. You hope for the best and work home. Simon’s story simply isn’t normal. your ass off. You try to be smart about the work S Israel Bayer is the executive director o f Street Roots. You can reach him at israel@streetroots.org or follow him on Twitter @israelbayer. Page 3 E d it o r ia l Write in w o u would like /. to have / something w you've Bitten published in our pages, or would \ \ .. \ ..... \ / life to get involved as a .* member of our reporting staff, : B ntact Managing Editor Joanne Zuhl at 503-228-5657, joanne@streetroots.org. We ask that all submissions induite the awlhor’s name and contact information, if available. Street Roots 211 NW Davis St. Portland, OR 97209 503-228-5657 Fax:593-227-3117 www.streetraots.org . wwwjieWs.streetroots.org < Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.rti. Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m-2 p,ro' Sat. and 7:30-11 a.m. Sun: Advertising Interested in advertising in Street- Roots? Contact Israel Bayer at israel@streetroots.org Staff Executive Director Israel Bayer israel@streetroots.org Managing Editor Joanne ZuW joanne@streetroots.org ■ n a d e r Program Director Cote Merkel cote@streetroots.org Operations Director Sarah Beecroft Development Director Sarah Cloud Program Assistant Scott Jackson, Jesuit Volunteer Development Assistant Ann-Derrick Gaillot Reporters Emily Green, Suzanne Zalokar, Ann-Derrick Gaillot, Sarah Hansell, Leonora Ko, Jared Paben, Amanda W aldroupe Photographers Diego Diaz, Joe Glode, Ben Brink Editorial Assistant Monica Kwasnik Canvasser Desmond Hardison Board of Directors Chairman Brad Taylor Vice-Chairman Rachel Langford Treasurer Heather Stadick Secretary Amber Bielman Directors Bruce Anderson, Rich Rodgers, Michael Anderson, Leo Rhodes, Nora Coon, Marcus Swift Volunteers Jan Bayer, John Barker, Stacey Heath, Stephanie Holum, Anjali Rathore, Zoe Klingmann, Haven Herrin, Dan Jones, Rob Shyrock, Dennis Hogan, Tom Wright, Eileen Deerdock, Vince Waldman, Judy Taylor, Karen Allen, Monica McKune, Susan Wotfe, Lucas Hawthorne, Thomas Buell Jr., Jeanie Lunsford, Yasmin Amirsoleymani, Jason Cohen, Tom Ray, Doug Spangle, Susannah Kamala, Jon Raymond, Hilary Smith, Diana Richardson, Cherie Manning If you are interested in volunteering with Street Roots, please submit a volunteer application at streetroots.org/volunteer. Or call our volunteer coordinator for more information at 503-228-5657.
