Just two months into her work as a vendor, Melissa Rose is confident she’s found the right fit. Shortly after being introduced to Street Roots through a couple she knows, she did her orientation and has been off and running ever since. She quickly found a home selling Street Roots in front of Fresh Pot on North Mississippi Avenue, splitting the location with her best friend Nataly, who covers the mornings, and taking the afternoon post for herself.
“All the ladies that work there are really nice,” Melissa said. “The owner is great and really happy to have me.”
Originally from California, Melissa spent 16 years in Coos Bay and some time in Florida before landing in Portland in May 2022. As a regular at the Q Center, she got to know and love the Mississippi neighborhood.
“The Q Center was the first welcoming place I saw — I got to know people there, and it always felt welcoming,” Melissa said.
Even though Melissa’s home was destroyed as part of the sweeps on Mississippi Avenue, she continues to feel welcomed by the neighborhood, especially some of her regular customers like Lauren, who she credits with providing resources, support, motivation and a listening ear.
“Selling Street Roots was a challenge at first because I have autism and social anxiety, but as I got to know people, I’ve started to open up,” Melissa said. “Street Roots is the only job where I don’t have to live up to a set of fixed standards — I can be who I am, be myself and be accepted.”
And this is important to Melissa. As part of the trans community, she hasn’t always felt accepted.
“At Street Roots, for the most part, people see me and see past the male exterior,” Melissa said. “They see me as a person instead.”
Two years from now, Melissa sees herself continuing to work for Street Roots. She said she feels accepted and respected at Street Roots. She hopes to be housed and in a position to give back to her community, especially Blanchet House.
“If it weren’t for Blanchet House, I would have starved,” Melissa said.
Her list of gratitude is long. She wants to give a shout-out to her customers, who she said are “very great at providing for us, and with glee.” She’s also grateful for Vin, the owner of Fresh Pot, and the staff and team at Street Roots, especially Maggie, Carly and Ellie. She also had words of gratitude for Gov. Tina Kotek.
“I love our new governor and that she is homeless-focused,” Melissa said, adding she hopes for a brighter future for Portland. “I’d like to see Portland unite instead of be distant. Us together can make a big difference. We can all do something different that can make this a great place.”
Melissa sells Street Roots most afternoons at Fresh Pot at 4001 N Mississippi Ave. Melissa can also be supported via @StreetRoots Venmo by entering her name and badge number (957) 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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