Michael, Street Roots newspaper vendor. Portland, Oregon. Photo by Paul Ottaviano. All rights reserved.

Street Roots is local newspaper in Portland, Oregon advocating for community interests. In particular, they’re a strong voice for homeless people and families.

From their website:

“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.”

Homeless people can work as street vendors. Each paper is $1. It’s more than a bargain, in my opinion, because I think it’s one of the best newspapers around here. I wouldn’t mind paying more for it.

During my March 29, 2016 photo walk around Downtown Portland I met Michael S., a Street Roots vendor. I bought a paper from him and he was kind enough to let me shoot his portrait. It’s photography such as this that I’m most proud of.