Street Roots is a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon that publishes a weekly social justice newspaper sold by people experiencing homelessness and poverty to earn an income. Each week, about 200 Street Roots vendors purchase copies of the newspaper for 25 cents each, then sell them on the streets of Portland for $1, keeping the profits. More than 800 vendors sell the newspaper during the course of a year.
Their weekly, award-winning newspaper is filled with quality local journalism focused on social and environmental justice issues. They also also regularly feature poetry and other writings by vendors, produced independently and through our creative writing workshops.
Street Roots work to make income accessible to the poorest people in our society through work that is low barrier and, at its best, empowering. They advocate for better conditions for people experiencing homelessness, as well as systemic change that lessens poverty and increases access to housing.
Their Key priorities include:
- Lift wages & get more income to the poor
- Make quality housing available & affordable to all
- Improve public health
- Reimagine public safety
- Bolster civic engagement of the poor
- Address structures that drive uneven distribution of wealth
- Support the leadership & autonomy of unhoused people
- Defend access to public space over privatization of resources
- Address the relationship between climate change and homelessness
- Oppose criminalization of homelessness – sweeps, sit-lie orders, etc
That is why Stacey and Mike's Helping Hands is supporting Street Roots and we ask that you do the same by Subscribing, volunteering or donating today!