Street Roots

Mission

Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change.

Bottom Line for Portland

Street Roots is a nonprofit media organization intertwined with the lives of people experiencing homelessness and poverty, providing a voice, visibility, and opportunity to those who are too often overlooked, under-resourced, and rarely heard.

Each week, 150 Street Roots vendors stand on corners and city sidewalks, holding out a paper to you, their reader. This social and economic exchange puts income directly into people's pockets, supports cutting-edge, local journalism, and offers a moment of engagement that holds the power to change hearts and minds. When you support Street Roots and our vendors, you are saying YES to advancing equity, defending dignity, and building a city where everyone can flourish and thrive. 

Quote

“Once you get to know what I'm about, what Street Roots is about, it changes the story a little bit for people.” — Vern, Street Roots vendor

“Coming to Street Roots is like coming home. Even when I have a jobby job and worky work and a lifey life, I’ll still be working at Street Roots. It’s a wonderful life.” — Donnie, Street Roots vendor

“I am thoroughly shocked and amazed and gleefully pleased about the Street Roots thing that I've discovered." — Coach, Street Roots vendor

“I tell them the sun’s up, so it’s a good day for Street Roots.” — Michael, Street Roots vendor

Partner(s)

–NONPROFIT PARTNERS–

We are honored to partner with fellow Give!Guide nonprofits who share our commitment to shining a light on essential information and elevating diverse perspectives through journalism and community-centered storytelling. Expand the impact of local news and storytelling by supporting the collective efforts of our partners!

🖌Oregon ArtsWatch: Produces independent journalism covering Oregon’s arts and cultural life. (New to Give!Guide!)

📖 The Immigrant Story: Documents, narrates, and curates immigrant voices to foster empathy and build an inclusive community. (New to Give!Guide!)
 

🗞 Underscore Native News: Produces in-depth, Indigenous-centered journalism in the Pacific Northwest. (Fellow NewsMatch participant!)
 

🩺 The Lund Report: Provides independent journalism on health care issues. (Fellow NewsMatch participant!)

📰 Oregon Journalism Project: Delivers investigative reporting to inform and empower Oregonians.
 

📻 XRAY.FM: Creates independent, hyperlocal, community-focused media centering ideas, music, and creativity.
 

💙 Oregon Humanities: Connects Oregonians through dialogue, storytelling, and community-based programs.
 

👥 Friends of Willamette Week: Willamette Week provides Portlanders with an independent understanding of how their worlds work so they can make a difference. Friends of Willamette Week make this possible!
 

–BUSINESS PARTNERS–

These businesses are joining with Street Roots to offer our Give!Guide supporters special incentives and matching gift challenges while encouraging their patrons to support our work.
 

🥾 KEEN Footwear: Headquartered in Portland, KEEN makes comfortable, durable & sustainable shoes made to last while investing their support in local nonprofits, like Street Roots. 

🌮 ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria: Our longtime supporters will be donating a 10% of the sales from their Mississippi and Hawthorne restaurants on November 19th to Street Roots! Add it to your calendar by clicking here!

🎬 Hollywood Theatre: This historic theatre offers a diverse array of film programming and initiatives that empower audiences to fully explore and participate in the rich cultural heritage of cinema. Look for Street Roots’ OnScreen Slide during your next trip to the movies!