1) Why did you decide to get involved in CAG?

I was homeless for a year, till October of 06. I am in recovery and I have a mental illness, so I can identify with a lot of people out there.  I wanted to give back what I was given, a lot of help, a lot of support through different organization, people both in health care and non health care professionals.

2) How long were you homeless? Under what conditions?

I was homeless in California for a year after getting out jail.  I was in jail with OJ!  When I got out of jail, I lost my house, my wife, everything because I was a convicted felon.  I lost my business.

I was homeless in Florida for a little over a year, June 05 to October 06.  I lived in motels, slept in cars, spent many nights in a 24-hour laundry.

3) Where do you see yourself going in the future? A new career? School?

I am interested in being an Alcohol and Drug counselor, but they said I have to have two years clean and sober, so that is a goal of mine.  I would like to start a non-profit to buy drug houses from the city.  They are toxic waste dumps so they require cleaning up.  I would turn them into shelters for homeless women and children and something like Sisters, where they could receive mail, emails, phone messages, showers, and meals.  I haven’t a clue how to start that, but it is a dream of mine.  I believe in a higher power and I believe he will make it happen for me in time.

4) How do you see CAG effecting homelessness in Portland?

We are advocating for the homeless, trying to make changes in the system. I see [CAG] as a safe haven for unhoused people, where they can be themselves, not discriminated against.  In numbers we can make changes; with a united front we are not alone and people have to listen.  I see CAG as very important in that.