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.