Longtime vendor Jason Scheer first connected to Street Roots almost a decade ago because he needed the work and it beat working at a bar. He saw that Street Roots was hiring vendors, and he jumped at the opportunity to earn an income.
“(My income from) Street Roots pays for my trips to California to see my mom and kids. It also covers my phone and electric bills,” Jason said. “Street Roots means friendship, loyalty and peace of mind.”
He is the proud father of two daughters, ages 14 and 12, who he misses. Jason had seen them every Christmas and every summer, but he hasn’t seen them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m really hoping to see them this summer or at least maybe for Christmas the way things are going,” he said. “I get my first shot in the middle of this month, so I’ll be halfway there soon. I’m getting my vaccine through Outside In.”
When asked to reflect on what has been hardest on him during the pandemic, Jason has a quick and relatable response. “Wearing a mask, not being able to see my kids, being confined to my home. Those have all been hard. I also worry about catching the virus and taking it home to my girlfriend. That’s in the back of my mind every time I go out.”
Jason is also grateful for the people he can see currently, which includes his Street Roots family and his longtime girlfriend, Krista.
“Krista and I met at the Sisters of the Road café. She asked a mutual friend about me, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting next to her and I was talking to her. I don’t talk to people that much, which is why selling papers is so good for me. I’ve learned to talk to people. We’ve been together for about six years,” Jason said.
And he can’t wait to get back to their regular dates — usually going to the movies and going to Starbucks or Subway once a week. Now he said their regular dates are the occasional trip to the food carts or the grocery store.
Jason is excited about some of the other things that Portland offered pre-pandemic.
“I just want to get back to normal — have the Rose Festival Parade. All the things we used to do. I miss all the parades and concerts and Saturday Market. One year, Street Roots marched in the Rose Festival Parade. We gave high fives to the kids. We weren’t really supposed to, but that was more fun.”
For now, Jason keeps busy at home with a new cat, Pierre, who he and Krista adopted from a friend. “He’s a lot harder than our first cat. Pierre causes a lot of problems, but we’re committed to him. He’s a mama’s boy, but I spoil him.”
Jason loves spring weather in Portland, and is looking forward to shedding his jacket when he’s outside. He’s looking forward to seeing more customers and having customers feel more comfortable stopping to chat. He has maintained a steady presence selling Street Roots in front of REI on Northwest Johnson Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day except Tuesday.