I've completed a dozen portraits of vendors who sell the Portland newspaper called Street Roots. You may recall a previous blog describing the social justice paper, but if not, please check out my post from July 7th.

My portraits will be part of an exhibition which opens this week at Kamp Gallery in what will be a celebration of the paper's 25th anniversary. Here are a few of my photographs, along with some information about three of the vendors (taken from profiles written by Street Roots reporters).

Mykaiel

A vendor since 2018, Mykaiel and his service dog Petey established their spot in front of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Southwest Broadway downtown. He didn’t know at the time, but that decision would prove transformative.

His spot in front of a premier arts venue created opportunities he never dreamed of — seeing multiple shows in the last year. He’s befriended conductors, musicians, and patrons — drawing them in with his energy, industriousness and his dog Petey, named after Petey from “The Little Rascals.”

“I never thought I’d have the experience of going to shows, and I’ve gotten to go 10 times in the past three years,” he said. “I get to do things that other people get to do. I never thought I’d get that.”

His most memorable show so far was the music of “Indiana Jones,” by the Oregon Symphony.

“A woman gave me a ticket, and it was in the third row,” Mykaiel said. “And I got to enjoy it with my service animal, Petey.”

Seeing live performances of works by great composers like Chopin and Tchaikovsky is a life he couldn’t imagine as a child. He saw his mother murdered when he was 4. His grandmother abandoned him when he was 8. He spent seven years cycling through 10 group homes until he ran away at 15, escaping an abusive home. From there, he spent time in Arizona, Tennessee, California and Washington. He also started getting in trouble with the law and fighting addiction.

“I’ve been battling addiction for a long time,” he said. “I’m finally clean and sober and getting my life together. Since being clean and sober, and working through the steps, I have been able to let the past go. I’ve been able to have the most beautiful mystical experiences — they are better than on drugs.”

A carpenter by trade, Mykaiel worked on several projects in the Pacific Northwest, including rebuilding a historic structure in Port Townsend that housed Aldrich’s, the oldest grocery store in Washington state. More recently, he helped build 10 tiny homes at Northeast 76th Avenue and Glisan Street through Cascadia Clusters, a local nonprofit training homeless Portlanders in building trades.

“Building the tiny homes was really rewarding — to be able to help give keys to people who haven’t slept inside,” he said. “I’m so happy and proud of myself. I’ve never had this feeling before.”

Mykaiel’s perspective on life has fundamentally shifted.

“Now I wake up with joy in my heart, and I can’t wait to see how the day unfolds,” he said.

Robert

Though Robert's been houseless for the past five years, he has made it his business to seek out available services.

Take, for example, his membership at 24 Hour Fitness. Humana offers a “Silver Sneakers Fitness Program,” which pays for Robert’s gym membership. Robert works out regularly with his friend Eric early in the morning.

“I love jogging,” he said. “Somedays, I’ll go for about a half-hour jog down Sandy Boulevard. It’s exciting to see all the shops.”

He has friends up and down Sandy Boulevard. One of his favorite shops is a record store; his favorite music is soul.

Robert is a regular at a neighborhood Senior Center. On Fridays, you’ll find him playing Bingo at Maybelle Center for Community, an organization whose mission is driven by a fundamental goal that “Our human need for belonging should be accessible to everyone.”

On some days, Robert goes exploring. He likes to walk down the train tracks. “I’ve always been fascinated by trains.”

A big-hearted soul, Robert shares with others in need. He told one story about buying a full meal for an older woman in a wheelchair. Confused by a stranger’s generosity, she asked him why. He said, “I just want to help out.”

He’s been volunteering at Sisters of the Road for the past six years, and it was a woman at Sisters of the Road who first suggested that Robert check out becoming a vendor at Street Roots.

“I walked into the Street Roots office and asked about orientation,” he said. “The next thing I know, I’m a vendor. I love it. They’re all like family to me. I love coming in and having a cup of coffee with folks. And I love selling the paper.”

In addition to his work as a vendor, Robert does weekly chores at Street Roots, anything from sweeping and mopping to helping carry the boxes of new papers in each Wednesday. For each of these jobs, Robert earns extra papers.

He’s happy about this growing supply of papers to sell each week. At his various posts, as well as the church he attends, Robert is a successful salesman. He’s proud of his “ultimate record on a recent Sunday,” he said. “I made $78!”

“I want to say thank you to all of you who are my customers,” he said. “And to all of you reading this, keep buying from Street Roots vendors. A dollar goes a long way with us.”

Mouse

Always enthusiastic and vibrant, Mouse puts her energy to use. She plays the harmonica. She experiments with photography. She curates colorful outfits. And she devours mystery novels, Stephen King being a favorite author. (She attributes her taste for the paranormal to her birthday — Oct. 31.)

Mouse also uses her energy to sell Street Roots and to help others.

“I like to help people,” she said. “I'm a very helpful, giving person. I enjoy helping, even though I don't help myself a lot. I'm a giver, not a taker.”

One evening, just after Mouse got done selling Street Roots at her post at the Safeway, an older woman approached her with no shoes on.

“I had twenty bucks on me, and I took her to the Goodwill,” she said. “I bought her some brand new shoes, and she started crying."

Mouse believes acts of kindness can change the world. It’s a belief her dad instilled in her at a young age when they used to volunteer together at rescue missions.

“Me and my dad were close,” she said.

At a young age, Mouse experienced intense trauma, and she has struggled with depression ever since. Recently, she lost her dad and younger brother to cancer and her ex-fiancé to an overdose.

“It’s been a hard, hard situation for me, because they all died within a short amount of time,” she said. “I’m going through a lot.”

Mouse struggled with addiction for many years, but now she’s clean and sober. She lives in an assisted living facility in Portland, and she’s been focusing on the positive things in her life, such as Street Roots and her three children, who are all grown.

Despite her struggles, Mouse spreads optimism and positivity wherever she goes.

“I’m just trying to stay alive, because it's hard out there,” she said. “I'm not homeless, but it's just hard. But I’ll be okay. As long as I wake up every day, I'm good to go.”

Mouse has one reminder for everyone: “Remember to love and be happy if you can."

Pictured below:

Mykaiel
Robert
Mouse
George
Pierre

Pictured above:

Douglas