Vendors
Page 6
These Eyes
V E N D O R
. B
E
b y D a n ie l C o x
The music was most captivating.
I’ve never heard of this masterpiece
Before this very moment.
It’s likely to become the best thing ever.
I have become enlightened to say the least.
I look at the world with renewed eyes.
v U
K
K
i i v
1 iO W
The story “What’s the problem with
NORCOR?” (Street Roots, Sept. 29)
incorrectly stated that the Oregon Law
Center was part of a coalition opposing
NORCOR’s holding of undocumented
immigrants for ICE. The Oregon Law
Center is a nonprofit law firm that provides
free civil legal services to eligible clients.
The organization is acting independently
on behalf of its client and is not a part of
any coalitions.
Answers to Page 15 Puzzles
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Mark Rodriguez
BY HELEN HILL
C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R
n his own words, Mark is an artist and a
goal setter, with a strong desire to carry
through and accomplish his goals, no
matter how long it takes.
Mark began working toward a college
degree in his hometown of Santa Barbara
when he was 21, but “life happened.” Thirty
years later, he finally completed his goal and
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
human resources from Simpson University
in Redding, Calif.
As a younger man, Mark was a swimmer
and a dancer, and for more than 10 years,
he worked as a certified nursing
attendant in homes for the elderly. In
addition to doing daily care, he loved
talking with his patients and learning
stories about their lives.
“They always had something
nice to say. They were so sweet,”
he said.
He bonded with many of
them and still remembers
words of wisdom from his
favorites: “Don’t criticize,
don’t condemn, and
always put something
in your purse for later.
“When they died,
part of me went
with them,” he said.
Mark has
encountered many
damaging
stereotypes. He’s
experienced racism
I
Street Roots • October 6-12, 2017
- he is of Mexican descent - and the stigma
of being part of a transient family.
“I was like a little duck that was lost,” he
said. “I never fit in.”
In the summer, Mark bought a bus ticket
from Redding to Portland in search of better
work opportunities. Just before he left,
however, his identification was stolen. When
he got to Portland, he was told he couldn’t
rent a room
without ID,
so he fell
asleep
on the
steps of a church on Burnside. The next
day, he made his way to the Portland
Rescue Mission, where he now has a bed.
He’s working on getting housing, and said
it’s looking good.
“All the effort I’ve put in is coming back,”
he said. “Portland has shown me nothing
but good things.”
Mark was having a meal in Blanchet
House this summer when he heard people
talking about Street Roots. He went through
orientation and started selling papers at
West Burnside and 19th Avenue. He’s been
able to make enough money to meet his
daily needs.
“I never expected to find such an oasis
and a place of nourishment and
refreshment,” Mark said of Street Roots.
| “They treat you like a valued employee,
| and it helps maintain my dignity, because
I don’t know how to beg.”
With his basic needs are taken
care of, Mark said, “I am at
the point now where I can
help other people, too.”
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