Fines

The Debtor’s Prison of the 21^st Century

Street Roots is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Portland, Oregon, that publishes an alternative weekly newspaper that is sold by people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty. It’s mission is to create income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change.

I particularly appreciated their two-part series on the impact of court fines on the homeless. Read part 1 here and part 2 here.

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

~Edward Everett Hale

“To end homelessness, a community-wide coordinated approach to delivering services, housing, and programs is needed.” —National Alliance to End Homelessness

“One thing is certain: There is almost always resistance from individuals and organizations seeking to defend the status quo.” —Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives

“… middle-class values cannot be imposed on those who have had no access to middle-class comforts.” —Lloyd Pendleton

Fines

The Debtor’s Prison of the 21st Century

The Debtor’s Prison of the 21^st Century