Oregon, I Need You: A Message in a Bottle from a Son of the Valley Stuck in the Vegas Desert

Ray’s Call for Community, Opportunity, and a Chance to Come Home

Hey Willamette Valley,

This isn’t easy to write, but here goes: I’m Ray, and I’m sending you a message from 1,000 miles away in the Las Vegas desert—a *literal* cry for help. Four years ago, I left everything on the East Coast to chase dreams of cannabis entrepreneurship, music, and film in **your valleys, rivers, and cities**. From Eugene to Vancouver, WA, I poured my heart (and savings) into Oregon. I believed in its promise.

But let’s keep it real: Oregon tested me. As a Black entrepreneur in his 40s with a felony record, I faced invisible walls. I started businesses that never caught fire. I struggled to find partners in a place that felt insular, despite its progressive reputation. I burned through thousands on motel stays, feeling more isolated with every passing month.

Then, in 2021, I landed in Las Vegas—a place where skin color *matters less*, but where my spirit has been slowly drying up. I’ve fought hard here, but progress feels like chasing mirages. Now, I know the truth: **My heart belongs in Oregon**.

Why Am I Reaching Out?

Because I need *you*, Willamette Valley. Not sympathy—**opportunity**.

1️⃣ **I NEED HOUSING NOW**

*Keywords: Willamette Valley housing assistance, immediate housing Oregon, felony-friendly housing, transitional housing Portland/Salem/Corvallis/Eugene*

2️⃣ **I NEED WORK THAT MATTERS**

*Keywords: Oregon cannabis jobs, entry-level film production jobs, music industry gigs Beaverton, second-chance employers, skilled labor opportunities Willamette Valley*

I’m not just asking—I’m offering. I bring **decades of resilience**, an entrepreneurial spirit, and skills honed across industries (logistics, sales, creative production). I learn fast, work harder, and believe in building bridges, not walls.

Why Trust Me?

- I’ve survived Camden, Philly, Florida, and Vegas. I adapt.

- I see Oregon clearly now—not just its beauty, but its potential for growth *together*.

- My mistakes don’t define me. My determination does.

My Ask?

**Connect me with someone who sees potential, not past.**

- A landlord willing to give a hard worker a chance.

- An employer needing hustle and loyalty.

- *Anyone* who believes community means lifting each other up.

This isn’t a Craigslist ad (we know how *those* go). This is a raw appeal to the Oregon I still love—the one that values fresh starts and green futures.

**Let’s rewrite my story—together.**

📱 Text Ray: **(971) 301-4722**

✉️ Email: **handsomepotential@gmail.com**

*P.S. Sharing this *is* activism. Algorithms won’t save us—but neighbors will.*