As a resident of the Hollywood neighborhood, Robert makes good use of the area's resources to stay active and healthy.
Though he’s been houseless for the past five years, he has made it his business to seek out available services.
“I know the ropes,” he said.
Take, for example, his membership at 24 Hour Fitness in Hollywood. 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.
Though he’s never seen a movie at Hollywood Theater, he’s toured the inside.
“It’s really so gorgeous,” he said.
Robert is a regular at the Hollywood Senior Center. On Fridays, you’ll find him playing Bingo at Maybelle Center for Community, 121 NW Sixth Ave., an organization whose mission is driven by a fundamental goal that “Our human need for belonging should be accessible to everyone.”
Maybelle offers karaoke too, but “I’m too shy,” he said. “I’d be too embarrassed to do it.”
On some days, Robert goes exploring. He likes to walk down the train tracks.
“I walk from Hollywood all the way down to Lloyd Center,” he said. “I’ve always been fascinated by trains.”
He keeps his tent in the Hollywood neighborhood, his neighborhood, but he’s had to move his tent four times now because of the sweeps.
“I don’t mind too much,” he said. “It’s a safe neighborhood. Nobody messes with my tent. And everyone is so nice. I have friends all around.”
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, including Whole Foods, on Northeast Sandy Boulevard, and Trader Joe’s, just off Northeast Sandy Boulevard and 41st Avenue, as well as the church he attends, Robert is a successful salesman. He’s proud of his “ultimate record last 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.”
You can support Robert via @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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