Longtime Street Roots vendor and multi-talented advocate Dan Newth has sold Street Roots since 2002. He first connected to Street Roots as a vendor because it provided enough to buy a beer, get something to eat and do laundry, which he said were three very important goals for him at the time.
But then he started doing some light journalism, and it unlocked the talented writer in him, eventually contributing approximately 100 articles, opinion pieces and poems since 2002.
“I’ve been dyslexic, and I never passed English classes,” Dan said. “But I learned to use Microsoft Word, which corrected my spelling. I developed a flair for poetry.
“I like to write things that make sense — not just that spark imagery but also have a flow and a meaning to them.”
He also shifted some energy toward advocacy and activism, crediting Israel Bayer, Metro's housing strategist commuications manager and former Street Roots executive director, and Genny Nelson, Sisters of the Road cofounder, for acting as mentors when he began becoming more active.
“I started attending a lot of meetings,” he said. “That activism had so much meaning in my life. One of the things I’ve gained from Street Roots is purpose and meaning in my life.”
One of the lessons Dan learned was he can’t do everything all at once. He said he went through a period of burnout, compounding some mental health issues, including trouble sleeping and PTSD, which he said was from his four-year stint in the army that ended with an Honorable Discharge.
“I’ve learned to slow down,” Dan said. “I’m focused on helping Street Roots fundraise, and I also serve on the Zine Editorial Committee. But what means the most is my relationship with Concordia New Seasons. That’s my therapy. I’m part of the community. That means something. Those relationships get built over time. That’s the deeper magic of Street Roots.”
Dan uses his income from selling Street Roots to pay for his rent. He said he is lucky to rent a room from a couple who he met while selling the paper — he has known them for over a decade. And the only assistance he gets is from the Veterans Affairs for his medical care.
“Street Roots isn’t a get-rich-quick plan, but after a decade and a half, I make enough to get by,” Dan said.
And he also values the product that Street Roots sells.
“Authentic journalism has deep meaning to me,” Dan said. “When I believe in the stories in Street Roots, I sell the heck out of that issue. Other times, I use my relationships and connections — I make a lot of jokes.”
Dan can be found selling Street Roots, connecting with people and making his customers smile at New Seasons Concordia at Northeast 33rd Avenue and Killingsworth Street. He can also be supported via @StreetRoots Venmo by entering his name and badge number (190) 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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