Robert has been working with Street Roots for six years, and he adores it.
“I knew a couple people who sold the paper, and one day I came in the office, and they just happened to be doing orientation that day, and I joined in,” Robert said.
Robert’s favorite part about Street Roots is the community that has built up around him since he became a vendor.
“I love Street Roots. They became my family. I have met so many good people along the way at the office. I was just here for six hours, working at the coffee station, and I love it. It’s fun,” Robert said.
Robert thinks customers purchase papers from him because of his charisma and positive attitude.
“I just tell them ‘Have a great time, and have a great day,' and usually that works. And in return, someone says to me ‘Have a great day, too,’ and that always cheers me up,” Robert said.
He boasts that he has a lot of good customers, many of whom he’s built relationships with.
“One of my best customers who works at the library, Eric, who always buys a new issue, and it is always appreciated,” Robert said.
Robert goes to the library often to catch up on his reading and do research into master’s degree programs.
“I want to go back to college to get a master’s degree in computer programming,” he said. “I went to Napa Valley College and got a bachelor’s degree in computer science a long time ago, and I can build a website and profiles, and I definitely know how to hack. But I don’t ever do it, because it’ll get you in a lot of trouble.”
After college, Robert joined the Army when he was 23 years old and was in the service for just over two decades. He did four tours as a staff sergeant.
“When I went into the Army, I was a goof-off. On one of my tours, just like Forrest Gump, I got shot in the buttocks. They got me in the end, literally. It hurt my pride. I couldn’t sit down for a while, but I recovered and came out a proud veteran,” Robert said.
Since his return home, he has traveled through California, helping biker friends work on their motorcycles.
“I love bikes. I got a ‘68 Harley, and a ‘67 Camaro. They came in a box, and my neighbors put it together for me,” he said.
Unnoticeable considering his positivity, Robert received the unsettling news last year that he has leukemia and pancreatic cancer, and he has been undergoing chemotherapy to recover.
“I’m going through chemo, and I really don’t want to use drugs or alcohol anymore. I don’t even feel like I want to, and I want to stop smoking too, but it’s so difficult being homeless and being a veteran. I’m trying to get help,” Robert said.
His path to recovery began with working at Street Roots, volunteering with Sisters of the Road and helping clean up the streets in the city. Robert loves to volunteer, especially by serving food at Sisters of the Road, because he enjoys the people he meets there and has a lot of friends who always greet him.
“I thank God for Street Roots and Sisters of the Road,” he said. “They have been a big part of my life. I hope they are always there to help the next person in need, too. I don’t mind helping the homeless, even though I am homeless. I don’t like litterbugs, and I always pick up trash because I hate that some places in my community are messy.”
Robert finds fulfillment and gratitude serving fellow vendors and others in the community inside and outside the Street Roots office.
“I love volunteering — it makes me a better person. I may have a rough life, but I know deep down in my heart that I am helping someone else so they can have a better life,” Robert said.
To end his profile, Robert wanted to leave readers with a note on how they regard their homeless neighbors and community members.
“If you see a homeless person, say ‘Hi.’ We’re not going to bite. We’re not diseased. We’re just like you, trying to make it in life. We always appreciate feeling human,” he said.
Robert prefers to sell Street Roots at various locations, so if you can’t catch him on a Portland sidewalk near you, you can also support Robert through @StreetRoots Venmo by entering his name and badge number (456) in the notes.
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly investigative publication covering economic, environmental and social inequity. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
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