We believe in uplifting the voices and experiences of the communities we serve. The following is a blog written by our Semi’a Fund client, Patty Archuleta, with quotes from other entrepreneurs.

My name is Patty and I am a street vendor. I have vended for 5 years in the City of LA on 31st and San Pedro St. I sell new and used clothing. I am also a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, caregiver, domestic violence survivor and leader.

I enjoy being a vendor and being able to bring affordable merchandise to the community. I know it's appreciated through the smiles and the friendships I have developed with the community. But being a street vendor sometimes comes with problems and struggles. We are vulnerable in the streets. We deal with gangs, extortion, racism, people stealing, no protection, and health risks; the list goes on. Vending has allowed me to learn how to run a business and to empower myself and others.

In this pandemic we are all in the same storm together but in different boats.

Undocumented Street Vendor that has only received cash assistance from IAC supported programs despite submitting applications for other funds: “I have not worked since March. Vending is my only means of income. Without it I have no income coming into my household. My wife is also sick and I had to pawn my work stove to pay for medical expenses. Any funds would be very helpful for my business and my family.”

Although it is difficult, we have learned to ask for help. The vendors on 31st and San Pedro are also coming together and helping each other when we do not receive the outside help we need. We put our heads together and come up with ideas. Right now a few vendors are pitching in to give out backpacks with supplies to the children of street vendors in our area. We are also taking care of the children’s clothing and shoe needs. Next we will be making grocery bags to take to a few vendors that are in greater need than others and to vendors who are sick and cannot come out because of their quarantine. We listen to problems and struggles, and we try to guide each other the best we can. We have each other’s back. This is what life is about and we are learning to take action to help our community of vendors.

After getting a call from the Street Vendor Emergency Fund a street vendor called back and said he is working again so the funds should be given to someone in greater need.

The economy is collapsing and there’s little help for us. Even though there have been limited funds for vendors, most vendors, including myself, are not familiar with today’s online applications–this is another crisis we have to deal with every time a program comes out. I know a lot of vendors who do not have a computer, who do not have an email account or who do not know how to open their email account, and who do not know how to tell the difference between scam emails and real emails. I even know people who don’t know how to open their phones or listen to voicemails. We rely on a handful of people to help us with these applications, but that is not enough. A lot of people don’t apply to the different programs because of this. Most of the people who do apply don’t even end up getting the help. These programs give us hope and then take it away. We are tired and overwhelmed, and we deserve more.

Street vendor leader and organizer: “If COVID-19 does not kill me. Depression will.”

Street vendor who missed the application deadline and was introduced to a new government assistance program: “It's one more thing I won't qualify for.”

Street vendor who reached out to our staff for support to fill out an application after not being able to submit it himself: “This is how all the help sites for undocumented people are, they are very difficult, almost impossible, and you end up giving up and continuing to work without getting depressed because if you get depressed people will notice and won't buy from you. Street vendors have to put on a brave face.”

I put my hope in God. He has brought me through things. I thank God I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and my Faith. All of these experiences have taught me to be strong and not be ignored. My life matters as well as every vendor’s. I have learned to defend myself the best I can. I am important to my family, they need me, as well as my new family, which are the vendors on 31st and San Pedro.

I find value in helping others and now I feel stuck. I want to do more to help others, to empower others and myself, and to learn to be financially stable. I am extremely worried financially due to the pandemic. I feel that our city does not care about street vendors. Politicians are responsible and obligated to help us.

There are lots of people getting laid off due to COVID-19 and street vending is another way of making a living, paying the rent, bills and food. Our numbers are growing and sometimes it is overwhelming. As a leader and organizer of my street, I am asking that the government stop treating street vendors as disposable. Vendors put their time and money into their business to make a living and we need to be given a chance. Our merchandise and food need to stop being confiscated and disposed of. There are so many people dying of hunger and here we have the authority disposing of food. We should have the right to choose our vending spots. We need the City to provide us with portable restrooms and city permit fee waivers for low-income vendors. I am asking for fairness.

Earlier this summer Mayor Garcetti gave a speech after one of our street vendors was assaulted and he asked that we, “Protect our vendors,” so my message to our representatives is, “do your job,” so we can do ours.

Images by Lilith Ferreira from Las Fotos Project

Notes from a Street Vendor: Patty Archuleta