Street Roots • Dec. 22-28, 2017
Page 3
O p in io n
Vendors support each other with dignity, strength
s I prepared for my new role as
executive director at Street Roots, a
large group of vendors gathered to
talk with me. One vendor named Brantley
issued me this challenge: Work as a vendor
my first day on the job.
I accepted Brantley’s challenge.
Twice a week the vendor program hosts
an orientation for
anyone who would
like to sell papers,
so I showed up for a
Friday session. The
««« 5
urgency of people’s
lives buzzed around
me. “This time of
year is hard,” one
woman said to me,
apologizing if she seemed short-tempered.
Poverty makes the holidays more difficult.
I joined a group of about seven people to
go through the orientation. We picked up a
number of tips from experienced vendors by
watching a custom-made training video,
particularly an emphasis on courtesy and
respect: “Say good morning.” “Be
courteous.” “Remember to thank people.”
Some vendors engage passersby with
newspaper content; others take a more low-
key role, letting the content and mission
speak for itself. A number of experienced
vendors talked about their relationship with
customers in terms of not only selling
papers, but also improving their customers’
day.
M y n e w ly m i n t e d b a d g e d a n g lin g f r o m my
A
K a ia S a n d is the
executive director o f
Street Roots. You can
reach her at
kaia @streetroots. org.
Follow her on
Twitter @ m kaiasand
It was a few days later, when I was filling
my cup with coffee in the vendor office and
Mark, a Street Roots vendor who was there
that day Brantley issued his challenge, asked,
‘How did it go out there?’ I described how I
felt shy, and several vendors sipping coffee
nearby offered encouragement. I described
how I realized that the only way I sold
papers was because of the work of other
vendors hitting the pavement every week.
“As Isaac Newton said, ‘On the shoulders
of giants,”’ said Mark.
I looked at him, astonished. I told him how
that exact phrase kept coming up in my
mind. He kindly pointed out that it makes
sense. After all, that is the strength of Street
Roots. Each of us need not start over. When
a person comes into the Street Roots’ office
for orientation, they are not starting from
scratch. They are lifted up by the respect
cultivated by hundreds - thousands - of
vendors. Folks struggling with poverty and
homelessness collectively help each other by
adding dignity to the work.
Each morning, vendors line up at the
Street Roots front desk to buy more
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 7:30
a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. and 7:30-1 p.m. Sun.
Executive Editor Joanne Zuhl
joanne@streetroots.org
Vendor Program Director Cole Merkel
cole@streetroots.org
Development Director Andrew Hogan
Senior S ta ff Reporter Emily Green
Operations Director Sarah Beecroft
Program Assistant Caelin Miltko, Jesuit
n eck , I s e t o u t on m y b ik e to m y a ssig n e d
turf for the afternoon: a patch of public
sidewalk by New Seasons in Sellwood. The
day was cool but sunny, far easier than most
winter days that the vendors brave.
As I prepared to sell, a swell of shyness
waved over me. I stalled, convincing myself
that if only 1 had a cup of coffee, it might be
easier.
A cup of coffee downed, I had no more
excuses. I propped my bag against my
ankles, which seemed cumbersome unti
reminded myself that I didn’t have to lug al
of my possessions everywhere I went.
I summoned the posture that Id
witnessed time and time again: I stood, the
upper fold of Street Roots clearly visible
clutched to my body. And waited.
People began to stop: Oh I haven t bought
my Street Roots yet. I love Street Roots. Every
single paper I sold was because someone
already recognized and appreciated Street
Roots. “On the shoulders of giants. That
phrase kept waving through my mind. What
was the origin of that phrase? I promised
newspapers, and this is a moving scene.
Some folks as of late have been adding
holiday decorations to their outfits or bags to
bring cheer to passersby. For some vendors,
the mere feat of showing up each day is
beyond impressive. They are braving
disrupted sleep from the outdoors or
shelters, health struggles, sorrows. Hardship
tugs at the spirits of many, and they still
myself to look it up.
v
t
Finished for the day and biking home, I
manage to extend customers courtesy and
respect. (For the record, all money made
saw a rainbow-colored sign: “Street Roots,
$1 ” There on Southeast Milwaukie and
during my sales were donated straight to
Bybee was a Street Roots vendor, animated,
Street Roots’ vendor program.)
Each of us passing vendors on the streets
smiling, engaging people, summoning
admirable energy. I walked across the street
can remember the grit and courage it takes
to meet the vendor whose name, I learned,
for them to sell newspapers seven days a
week, 365 days a year. Please continue to let
W3One of her regular customers was chatting
our vendors know you appreciate them.
with her and told me that Deb brings joy to
And in these last days of December,
each customer. I was reminded how
please invest in our vendor program by
important the vendor relationship is for all of making a recurring donation on Street Roots
us not just the vendors. We have the
website or a one-time donation at the
opportunity to meet each other across our
Willamette Week Give’.Guide. Thank you!
differences.
Volunteer
Vendor Assistant Scott Jackson, Alex
Giliow-Wiles
Development Assistant Rosemary Wilson
Editorial Producer Monica Kwasnik
Reporters Sarah Hansell, Leonora Ko, Emilly
Prado, Jared Paben, Amanda Waldroupe,
Stephen Quirke, Helen Hilt
Photographers Diego Diaz, Arkady Brown
Canvasser Desmond Hardison
Board of Directors
The author, center,
with two new
vendors after
orientation.
Chairman Brad Taylor
Vice-Chairman Rachel Langford
Treasurer Heather Stadick
Secretary Dan Jones
Directors 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., Jason Cohen, Doug Spangle, Susannah
Kamaia, Jon Raymond, Diana Richardson, Paul and
Madeline Gefroh, Mary Anne Joyce, Brooke
Anderson, Gillian Floren, Mark Oldani, Bianca Butler,
Alex Cherin, Jenny Farres, Evan Firsick, Camber
Hansen-Karr, Miranda Woods, Henry Brannan,
Megan Smith, Helen Hill, Mary Emerson, Brooke
Anderson, Kathleen McFall, Robb Hengerer, Bronwyn
Miles, Maile Yeats-Rowe, Erin Parsons, Bridget
Brown, Faye Powell, Jon Raymond and Megan
Pickerel-Winer. If you're interested in volunteering
with Street Roots, please submit a volunteer
application at streetroots.org/volunteer. Or you can