Archive for October, 2009
Ann Marie
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
I’d like to say that I found Ann Marie in Chicago, but the truth is that she found me. Ann Marie uses social media to escape from her world and connect with others. When I arrived in the Windy City I received a tweet from @padschicago and the next day we arranged to meet in [...]
Donald
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
When we talk about homelessness as a policy issue, we often distinguish between treating the symptoms versus addressing the root causes. This is the sames lens through which Donald views his own situation.
Donald is living without a home in New York City. He says it’s easy to find food and places to stay, but finding [...]
Yubal
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
I met Yubal in New York City. He is originally from Mexico and traveling up to Canada to try and find his way out of homelessness.
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Joni
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
At first glance I did not know Joni was homeless. Little did I know, she spent the previous night sleeping on a bench in Times Square. This is where I noticed her trying to steal a cup of coffee; she was caught, and my heart broke for her.
Many people think that homeless people just want [...]
Paul
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
After interviewing dozens of homeless people from coast to coast, I’m often asked how I get people to share their story on camera. The answer? Socks.
No matter what city I traveled to, people were beyond thrilled when I opened my bag and gave them a fresh pair of socks. It was not only a great [...]
Rashid
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
For 23 years, Rashid worked in New York City as a construction worker. On 9/11, he arrived at the World Trade Center at 9:28 in the morning and – for the next four years – worked to clean up the horrific destruction at Ground Zero.
Today, as a result of his service, he suffers chronic heart [...]
Guy
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
Times Square is unlike any other place in the United States. Lights, traffic, noise, masses of people. But in the midst of all this commotion, I spotted a man pushing a buggy. That’s when I met Guy.
Guy says homelessness is hard to explain. One day he was doing fine. The next, tragedy struck and he [...]
Elijah Alfred “NatureBoy” Alexander, Jr.
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
There are many times that I’ll meet a person on the street who says that they prefer the streets, insisting they are there by choice. Usually, though, I can see the look in their eye; I can tell they don’t mean it. I believe it’s a defense mechanism to rationalize the trauma one goes through [...]
