“I just realized I had to move, had to get away from everything.” Mentioned in the article "Street Roots vendor profile: A clean Break in Portland" by Pat Zimmer. Vince Masiello out of Portland, Oregon and originally from Manhattan, had it all. Money, a college education, a roof over his head, the Prius, and had build himself a successful career in the tech industry. He left it all behind for a life free of materialism. After dropping out of his master's program, and battling severe depression, Vince ended up in Portland. Shortly, his life seemed to spiral downhill due to unforeseen events as well as his own choices and ultimately, he ended up homeless. That's when he turned to Street Roots.
Vince's story opens up the door to another conversation - who are the homeless people? who are the people we walk by everyday that keep trying to sell us newspapers? Homeless people, especially in the Portland area, don't have the best reputation. People assume that they're all on drugs and have no desire to help themselves, when in reality, that's not always the case. When we read Vince's story, we learn that everyone is on a different path and everyone has goals that they want to accomplish. Some people need the help to get there. That's where Street Roots becomes a great resource for those that need to get back on their feet or find the path they want to take. It provides people with the resources to make a living, while they're trying to search for a job. it provides people with the opportunity to network and obtain those healthy social interactions that humans need. While it may not be a dream job, it allows people, like Vince to find is calling, and to help him grow as a productive member in society.
As a community, it's important that we educate ourselves and do what we can to help others. it can be something as simple as saying good morning to someone or purchasing a news paper from the guy on the corner. It's also important to be aware of the resources that are available to those who are less fortunate whether you actively volunteer, or just to be able to point someone in the right direction. What makes Vince's story so special and unique is that he brought himself to this place. He enjoys what he's doing and he's been able to live on both sides of the fence. By encouraging and educating, we can make the changes that are greatly needed.
Link to original article
https://news.streetroots.org/2019/04/19/street-roots-vendor-profile-clean-break-portland
Excellent post - it's good to hear the back-story in people's lives, it makes them feel closer, more approachable.
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