When Josephine Allen was interviewed for a Street Roots vendor profile in 2022, she was homeless and looking for housing. Today she is proud to say she has found stable housing. Better still, having a consistent home base has allowed her to reconnect with her beloved family.
“I have a clean atmosphere where my kids can come visit me,” Josephine said.
Josephine credits Street Roots as integral in her path to getting back on her feet. She’s been involved with the organization since the 1990s and never imagined she’d experience homelessness herself.
“(Street Roots) helped me put my life back in order," Josephine said. "It gave me my dignity in some kind of way. It helped me in a way I couldn’t help myself. It made me feel like I’m worthy and I’m a productive member of society again.”
For Josephine, Street Roots is like family. The way staff and vendors supported her made her feel cared for and valued during a time when she didn’t always feel that way about herself.
“They all take care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself," Josephine said. "When I needed help, they was there for me. It has changed my life. As a vendor, gave me my self-respect back.”
Now that Josephine has more stability in her life, she hopes to complete the mobile journalism (MoJo) class she began through Street Roots. She would ultimately love to write and take photographs.
“I want to be able to put it into action," Josephine said. "I want to be able to be a photographer. That makes me feel like I am somebody. When I write about it, I got it.”
Josephine has been through a lot in her life. The experiences from her past fuel her motivation to help others. Josephine often talks with homeless youth, sharing her life lessons and helping them see a brighter path for themselves.
“I always tell them to go to Street Roots and get a job," Josephine said. "Selling papers is better than selling drugs or selling yourself. I really try to be a person (who is) honest with people. Tell my story. I believe if God helped me, anyone can make it through.”
Her faith in God and belief that love will prevail give Josephine hope. Speaking about the homelessness situation in Portland, Josephine believes that if we can change our hearts, we can help the problem.
“I want people to know that I don’t believe people is homeless because they want to be homeless," Josephine said. "It’s almost like a disease. I never thought in a million years I could be, but it happened to me. People aren’t out here suffering because they want to be. People’s heart’s got to change. I believe that. It’s catching, it’s like a fire, to help others.”
Josephine sells Street Roots at the Hollywood District Whole Foods and the cleaners across the street. You can also support Josephine through @StreetRoots Venmo by entering her name and badge number (321) 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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