Thread: I’m not going to lie. Today was very hard. At @StreetRoots we prepared for three days to be able to support unhoused people apply for one time cash assistance from the Portland Housing Bureau.
We paid five unhoused people to run computer stations. 70 people lined up for hours to be ready for the 10 a.m. time when this application process opened. We paid two more people to help folks social distance while serving them coffee to keep morale okay.
And you know what? We got almost no one signed up. The system closed by 10:20 a.m. That was how overwhelming the need is.
It was, honestly, grievous. 70 unhoused people lined-up, and we had been so optimistic that they could access a little money to survive. Of course, they are all too accustomed to life not working out. And it sure didn’t today.
Mostly we try to be optimistic. But today was hard. @StreetRoots will not stop trying to get money to unhoused people throughout this pandemic. Poor people need money. Without jumping through a million hoops. #https://secure.qgiv.com/for/vif/ #WeWillNotGiveIp
We will keep trying through giving assistance and finding ways to pay people for essential labor. Like what they did today. That’s what you are supporting through the vendor assistance fund #WeWillNotGiveUp #It IsBrutalThough secure.qgiv.com/for/vif/
We will not give up on poor people in this pandemic. secure.qgiv.com/for/vif/
