A Roadie’s Perspective: Why Sisters’ Return Matters Now More Than Ever
My name is Vince Masiello, a current resident and Board Member of Right 2 Dream Too, a self-governed tiny home village that operates a volunteer-run Safe Rest space providing shelter for more than 50 people each night. We recently celebrated our 14th anniversary, marking more than a decade of community, resilience and advocacy led by and for unhoused people.
Vince Masiello, Sisters Roadie since 2017
Who are the Roadies?
Roadies are trained in the basics of Sisters' history and philosophies and represent Sisters externally with city, state, and national leaders as well as support internally with Sisters operations. Roadies support with outreach, organizing, and advocacy by public speaking, tabling, and ongoing community engagement.
Roadies are the most concrete expression of how Sisters of the Road is a movement.
My journey into advocacy work began through my time at Sisters of the Road and my involvement with their systemic change group, the Roadies. I first arrived at Sisters in 2018, after only living in Portland for several months, and I could immediately tell there was no place like it. I began going to the café for lunch almost every day. I was enamored by the welcoming atmosphere and how other patrons felt truly respected. Sisters was truly unique in creating a space where houseless individuals could gather, organize, and speak out on the issues we face every day. As a Roadie, I had the opportunity to participate in community meetings, make regular trips to City Hall to testify on policies affecting the houseless community, engage with neighborhood associations, and collaborate with other nonprofits working toward housing justice.
Sisters wasn’t just a place to share a meal, it was a place to learn, to be heard, and to take action. Those experiences shaped my understanding of advocacy and continue to inspire my work today. For more than 40 years, Sisters of the Road has been a cornerstone of compassion and community in Portland, offering a safe, welcoming space where everyone has a seat at the table.
When I learned that Sisters was hiring a new Executive Director and Systemic Change Director, I was thrilled and deeply honored to be invited to join the hiring team. Sisters taught me the importance of centering people with lived experience, ensuring they lead the conversation and that the voices of those most impacted by policy decisions are elevated. During the interviews, I was eager to share my experiences as a Roadie and to reflect on how deeply we’ve felt the loss of organizing and advocacy space since the Sisters café closed.
Over the past five years, Portland has experienced many troubling changes: the daytime camping ban that criminalizes homelessness, the funding of large-scale encampments with multi-million-dollar security forces, the increased presence of Rapid Response and other groups conducting sweeps, and a significant loss of funding for service and resource providers across the city. Together, these shifts have made the landscape for unhoused people and advocates increasingly difficult.
In the midst of these challenges, the return of Sisters offers a renewed sense of hope and possibility to our community. There’s a long road ahead, but I believe the new leadership understands the core values of Sisters and the heart of our community. Sisters continues its powerful mission of fostering dignity, building relationships, and advocating for justice. We’re so grateful to see their doors open once again and look forward to the positive impact they’ll continue to make for decades to come.
