I received several Grants from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, to report on Housing Issues in Chicago. I focused on homelessness and decided to dig deep into that world. I followed people from the public streets, where they hustle, to where they slept. Followed them into their encampments and photographically documented how they lived their lives. I built trust over a long period of time and walked hundreds of miles, exploring a world I knew nothing much about, when I started this journey. I’m still learning, but now, after eight years, I’ve learned a little something about people that are without a home.
Jeffrie stays in some discarded sewer pipes under the Roosevelt Ave bridge , the area now called 'The 78'. Roosevelt Ave and the Chicago River.
Damian, homeless in a field south of Roosevelt Road, now called 'The 78'. Damian "I built this wall around my camp to keep the theives out".
Dan, grieving over the loss of his wife Rhonda. Near the Chicago River and Harrison
Sam sleeps along lower Illinois street near lower Michigan avenue. A bicyclist passes by, unaware of him.
South of Roosevelt, near Chicago River, area now called "The 78". Her name is Mandi. Homeless
Reggie hangs out at one of the entranceways to Lower Wacker. He likes to smoke, usually it’s a butt that he finds along the curb. He is homeless and sleeps on a train. This is the begining or end of "The Pedway".
Mario warms his hands above a fire near the south end of the fields now called 'The 78'. 2 other men in the backround were in Chicago illegally looking for work. I'm not sure of Mario's status.
A man named Sam gets medical attention from a street medical team from UIC Hospital at Michigan and Randolph in downtown Chicago.
Jimmy stayed in this alley, near Wabash and Madison, downtown Chicago- homeless
Jefferie's hands. Jeffrie stayed in a field south of Roosevelt near the Chicago River in the area now called "The 78". Jeffrie "No, I haven't washed my hands for 2 or 3 months".
Just south of Roosevelt, along Chicago River, Homeless encampment- I gave Jimmy a couple of rat traps and asked if he would catch a few. He and other campers complained about rats. This is what he caught in 3 hours.
Kent, homeless for 3 years, stayed under a RR bridge, south of Roosevelt in an area now called 'The 78'. not far from the Chicago River.
A man named Tattoo gets medical attention from a medical team from the Night Ministry. Homeless encampment at Sacramento and Chicago Ave.
