1. What is the time in your life that you felt the most at home, centered, yourself and why?
"Gosh, thats a long time ago. Id say 18 graduating from high school, mom was alive, comfortable, ready, easy going. My life was so full, I could accomplish anything. Getting high school diploma was a big thing, first one, immigrant, refugee, the most proud moment for my mom and me, 1989."
2. What is the time in your life that you either experienced a version of homelessness or felt the least secure regarding your living situation?
"oh gosh, not too long ago, sept 2014. When I was told I have to leave where I had been living for 10 years, bear two kids there, single mom 4 kid, no where to go wanted to cry but then couldn't cry wanted to scream but couldn't scream because four kid looking at me, and in the back of my head I was thinking I had to leave otherwise the police would come and arrest me. That was it, that was yeah, after 30 years in american after that moment I live in nightmare."
3. What’s one way that gentrification affected you or your family/community personally?
"Very much, because my store I run for 8 year on washington ave. A bank look into buying the space, i asked the landlord to remain and work things out but she said no. I had to relocate, I went bankrupt by relocating my business. so it is awful. I find person with money, don't have heart. Haven't seen yet anyway. I am completely poor and I just want to give."
4. What is a question you have relating to the issue of homelessness that you don’t ask out loud because it may be seen as either politically incorrect or ignorant?
" I wouldn't ask them anything because every human being have dignity and I don't think someone wants to play a fake role of standing in the cold and beg, or going to a crowded place to just get comfortable for a moment. "
5. If you had a magic wand, what is one way you would you use it to address gentrification?
"Make it more affordable, everyday human is growing, and building is not. Every where in portland is covered in buildings but there is barely any affordable housing. so yeah, make more affordable, think of people not money. "
6. If you had a magic wand, what is one way you would use it to address homelessness?
"I would have a company and then I would make it so once they become homeless, their body and mental is affected to council them first recoup their thinking, make them a different life, train them, and then put them into jobs"
7. This is a definite ‘first thought’ question so I’m happy to ask it twice if you’d like to help you catch that ‘first thought’. What is one thing in your life that would be different if you knew for certain that from this moment on everyone everywhere would always have safe affordable housing – first thought?
"I'd be happy! laughs, yeah Id be happy!"
Memorable quote: "I'd be happy" She had such a big smile on her face, I could tell she was thinking about family and loved one's.
"No where to go, wanted to cry but couldn't cry, wanted to scream but couldn't scream because four kid staring at me" I could feel her sadness and the reality of her feelings as she was saying this.
several details that describe their clothing, posture, facial expression, type of voice, where you were when interviewing, colors, objects, people around, sounds – as if you are writing a short story
Details: She was wearing a fuzzy black coat, over a colorful dress and leggings, big smiles on her face when she was talking about good things, very despondent look when discussing serious things. She sat comfortably in her kitchen chair, sunny day out side. Her daughter was with her and kept wanting attention during the interview, but she understand we were doing something with the grownups. In her own house so she was very comfortable. She thought about every question, and wanted to answer them the best she could. Her presence was so warm and comfortable.
Reflection: I know this women was a refugee, and thought that she might talk about the hard times she had in her country, but didn't. She felt the most scared when she had he own children to worry about and completely forgot about herself. She is very selfless, and has a huge heart. She is struggling right now, but always seems to be shining bright. I didn't know what she would say to the homeless question, but pleasantly surprised me with every answer she gave. I feel much closer with her now, and we like to talk about these things more now that I have brought them up. She has a hard time talking about her past, but I can see how strong she is because of it.
