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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 2017)
Street Roots’ Israel Bayer to step down almost can’t believe I’m writing these words, but rights of people on the streets. We’ve helped maintain I’m announcing that I’ll be departing Street Roots housing for hundreds of individuals and families. The at the end of this year. list goes on. I’ve lived and breathed Street Roots and homeless Street Roots isn’t afraid to think big, to plan advocacy for the past 15 years of my life. I’ll be taking thoughtfully and to execute. That couldn’t be done six months off to write a book and to take a breather without the amazing team we have at Street Roots. before deciding what’s next in my life. Personally, I’ve always tried to lead the organization Concerning Street Roots, the organization has never in a way that wasn’t geared toward doing the popular been in a better place. thing, but the right thing - for both the organization Under the leadership of Executive Editor Joanne and people on the streets. Zuhl, the newspaper is thriving and will continue to do It has meant giving my blood, sweat and tears, while so. also experiencing some of the most traumatic and The organization itself is in the best financial joyful times of my life. standing it has ever been. We have a great team of It has not always been easy to navigate the small dedicated staff, a strong board of directors and an world of Portland politics. It has meant speaking truth amazing readership that will lead Street Roots into the to power and trying - to the best of my ability - to next era. always think about moving the issue of homelessness Street Roots is currently forward, regardless of the consequences. I’ve always g K IK# » I I 111 working with our board of tried to do so with integrity, sometimes getting it right directors on a transition plan. and sometimes not. How do I give context to the When I first started at Street Roots, there was a past 15 years at Street Roots? B y Israel Bayer World War II vet named George who was sleeping on It’s hard to describe. I’m the streets near the office. I ’d always go and talk with letting go of something I’ve him about everything from life to Street Roots to times loved with all of my heart for long gone. most of my adult life. My love The most important advice he gave me when I was for Street Roots, the neighborhood I’ve worked in for starting was that there are going to be times in this years and the city I live in is bigger than anything I job when it feels like the whole world is bearing down could describe. on you — simply First and foremost, breathe and think the hundreds upon about who you’re hundreds of hours here to serve. “It’s I’ve spent with people the people,” he on the streets has would say. “If been by far the most that’s the only rewarding. It’s also thing you been the most accomplish, then heartbreaking. you’ve done your Being able to take job.” part in seeing so George has long many people rise since passed on, above the trauma of homelessness and go but I still think of on to do great things him and those is inspiring. words, especially Witnessing the power today as I write of the human spirit this column and when faced with reflect. I hope it’s Clockwise from, left: Israel Bayer, Vendor M arlon Crum p, Street Roots some of the harshest the people that supporter A r t Garcia, a n d M igo. living conditions in I’ve ultimately the modern world is served. both daunting and Honestly, there hopeful. It’s the reason that regardless of any of the are so many mentors and friends I’d like to thank for hardships we face at Street Roots, we always remain helping me along my journey at Street Roots. When I optimistic. took over Street Roots I had no nonprofit training or I’ve also witnessed more people die on the streets political lens through which to look at the world. I owe than I can count. Their ghosts haunt me at times. I my gratitude to the help of many friends and Street will also have a place in my heart for those who didn’t Roots supporters. I love and appreciate all of you make it out of the hell that is homelessness. dearly, wherever we might find ourselves on the long What I’m the most proud of is that together, as a road. team, we have inserted ourselves into the local media Lastly, over the next six months I will be working landscape, while becoming a fixture of hope and with the organization to make sure that Street Roots dignity for both people on the streets and readers remains strong and vibrant throughout the transition. alike. Ultimately, from a reader’s perspective, you’re not Street Roots has become an award-winning weekly going to see much of a change. The organization will publication, helping change the face of homelessness march on through the good times and bad, just like it in Portland. I’d argue pound for pound we are one of always has. the best street newspapers in the world and one of the The reality is Street Roots is so much bigger than best newspapers in the Pacific Northwest. any one person. Street Roots has worked with Multnomah County I can’t say how thankful I am to have been able to and the medical examiner’s office to create an annual take part of leading this organization and being a part count of people who have died on the streets. We of such a beautiful story. Let’s continue to make it so. helped deliver Portland’s first affordable housing Big love! public ballot initiative. We continue to fight for the civil I Israel Bayer is the executive director o f Street Roots. You can reach him at israel @streetroots. org or follow him on Twitter @israelhayer. Executive Director Israel Bayer israel@streetroots.org Executive Editor Joanne Zuhl joanne@streetroots.org Vendor P ro g ra m D ire c to r Cole M erkel cole@streetroots.org Operations Director Sarah Beecroft Development Director Sarah Cloud Program Assistant Meghann Van Pelt, Jesuit Volunteer Board of Directors Chairman Brad Taylor Vice-Chairman Rachel Langford Treasurer Heather Stadick Secretary Dan Jones Directors Rich Rodgers, Michael Anderson, Sandra Hahn, John Brown, Nels Johnson and Alison Hallett Volunteers Jan Bayer, John Barker, Stacey Heath, Anjali Rathore, Zoe Klingmann, Dan Jones, Dennis Hogan, Monica McKune, Susan Wolfe, Lucas Hawthorne, Thomas Buell Jr., Jeanie Lunsford, Yasmin Amirsoleymani, Jason Cohen, Tom Ray, Doug Spangle, Susannah Kamala, Jon Raymond, Diana Richardson, Cherie Manning, Paul and Madeline Gefroh, Mary Anne Joyce, Del Shawn Davidson, Gillian Floren, Mark OIDani, Bridget Brown, Cody Travels, Bianca Butler, Robb Hengerer, Alex Cherin, Jenny Farres, Evan Firsick, Camber Hansen-Karr, Miranda Woods, Henry Brannan, Megan Smith, Luke Scheuermann, Annie Aube and Helen Hill. If you're interested in volunteering with Street Roots, please submit a volunteer application at streetroots.org/volunteer. Or you can call for more information at 503-228-5657.
