Schon Tell wants to help people get housing. An ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, he is passionate about assisting marginalized people who are having trouble getting help in the system.
That includes veterans, domestic violence survivors and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“That’s who I want to help,” he said.
Schon Tell can’t qualify for an apartment himself because of what he described as an ill-advised plea bargain that resulted in a criminal record. He uses his Supplemental Security Income to rent a room in a house.
“I want to have apartments for people to move into. That’s my dream,” he said.
Although he’s not selling Street Roots right now, with the print edition suspended until mid-August because of the pandemic, Schon Tell is out fundraising for his cause.
He needs to raise $600 to file with the Internal Revenue Service to establish a nonprofit he calls We Rise 2. The organization would provide housing to people that are having trouble getting indoors through the usual channels, such as Transition Projects or Central City Concern.
He uses posters with pictures of him, his niece who was killed as a result of domestic violence and drugs, and people on the streets.
“That’s me, feeding fried chicken and a bottle of water to a homeless prostitute,” he said about one of the photos. “In my We Rise 2 company shirt.”
He said he’s looking for a treasurer, someone to help with the paperwork for the IRS filing. The IRS estimates 100-plus hours of writing and research for first-time applicants for 501(c)(3) status. There is also a fee to the state for articles of incorporation.
In the meantime, Schon Tell is helping people on the streets. He picks up donations — clothing, sleeping bags, personal hygiene items — in a jumbo utility cart and distributes them to unhoused people near the Burnside Bridge. He’s joined with other Street Roots vendors in distributing supplies and health information to camps.
He keeps his distance and wears a mask. The coronavirus, he said, has reduced his fundraising income.
“People don’t want to donate as much because they don’t want to get close,” he said.
And he misses his Street Roots income. At his post at the Safeway on Southeast Division Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard, “people were friendly, and they talk,” he said. “People were kind. Racism doesn’t exist. The people that talk to me treat me like I’m human.”
Street Roots will return to print soon, with the planned publication of a special booklet releasing on Aug. 12.
“Keep buying the papers,” he said, “because every Street Roots vendor needs your financial support. Some of us are entrepreneurs that want to start businesses or have our own businesses.”
Schon Tell also has guidance for white people who want to help overcome racism.
“Get to know African Americans,” he said. “You will see that we’re humans just like you all. Just get to know us. And you will get to love us.”