Faces of the Homeless

FAR OUT HIPPIE GUY

2011-03-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

THIS IS A TOTALLY FAR OUT HIPPIE GUY!

(VIDEO) HOMELESS SPEED FREAKS IN SAN FRANCISCO

2010-07-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

I interviewed these homeless guys not far from City Hall in San Francisco, California. Listen as they talk about the challenges they face every day:

JOURNEY TO MOUNT MALAYA (video)

2010-06-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

This man in San Francisco, approached me because he had something he wanted to tell me...

Introducing Kayah Sleight!

2010-01-17T21:08:00.000-08:00

I met this young man near City Hall in San Francisco. He is very talented and I am happy to introduce him to you here.

Faces Of The Homeless IV

2010-01-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

Another release from the Homeless Action Network.

Meet Jack and Rachel:

Please, do what you can to help out in your own community. This is a problem that will continue to grow unless we do something to prevent it.

Bloodfart Productions Releases Video Using HAN Photography

2010-01-13T18:42:00.000-08:00

In collaboration with the band, Lovestained Element, the Homeless Action Network and Bloodfart Productions (I know weird name), has released this new video featuring footage from the Homeless Action Network archives. I am excited to share this news with you. And the video is pretty good, too!

Homeless Interview - San Francisco

2010-01-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Here is another interview. This guy stands on the corner near my house every day selling Street Sheets. I thought I would ask him for an interview and he was happy to accommodate. Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS IN THE TENDERLOIN

2009-12-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

I got up this morning and decided to go out and see what the homeless people in my neighborhood were up to. Please forgive the poor quality, I am still trying to figure out the best format for this. I am grateful for any comments left below. Thank you.

Homeless Action Network Releases New Video

2009-12-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

We managed to raise thirty dollars from our video drive and our founder generously donated the rest so we have finally been able to obtain a video camera. Dave spent a lot of time today out on the streets of San Francisco, getting footage for our first video documentary.

Here you go!

A very big thank you to our generous donors, please continue to help. No donation is too small.

Video Camera Drive.

2009-05-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Since recently moving to the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, I am in such close proximity to extreme poverty and homelessness that it has become difficult to keep a positive attitude. Add to that my own misfortune of getting laid off, and things seem pretty bleak. Nevertheless, when I see so many people everyday even less fortunate than myself, I feel that now it is more important than ever that I continue this project. The apartment I moved into here is much smaller than the one I left in Marin, so I had a lot of things that I really needed to get rid of. It was gratifying to go around my new neighborhood, giving away things I had carried around with me for years. As I went through my stuff, I realized I had several more blankets than I ever used--these were probably among the most appreciated items I gave away. As I got to know the homeless people in this area, I realized that the logical next step is to get a hold of a video camera! I will produce videos of the homeless in this area on a weekly basis! Just one problem...where do I get the video camera? It came to me in a dream last night--some supreme being with a booming voice said "Ask Your Readers!"

So, that is what I am doing. If you have a video camera you can donate to help raise awareness on homelessness, please contact me; or click the Donate Button if you would like to contribute funds:

Thank you for all of your comments and support.

On Homelessness and Abuse

2009-01-21T15:22:00.000-08:00

Whenever I see a homeless person I experience strong feelings of empathy and compassion. I ask myself, "Where did this person come from? Where is his family? What could have happened to bring this person to his present condition?" For answers, I always look into my own past...I have experienced the misery of homelessness at several points in my life.
Although there is a great sense of freedom to being homeless, it is a dangerous and miserable lifestyle. Homeless people are often the victims of violent crimes; they suffer from hunger and exposure to the elements; are vulnerable to disease; have little access to medical attention; and, they are generally ignored when they seek help.

Contrary to popular belief, most homeless did not become so out of choice. Most did not become homeless because, as I have heard some people say, "they are lazy, stupid, or immoral." Most of them are the victims of abuse in the form of neglect and abandonment by their parents or other caregivers, prolonged sexual abuse, or isolated incidents of extreme trauma. Some of them are simply victims of life's tragedies, such as hurricanes, fires, or other catastrophes from which they simply don't have the resources to recover. Also, there is a snowball effect that occurs with homelessness--once a person has fallen to the level of living on the streets it is very difficult for them to get a job, even if they are capable of working. After all, who is going to hire someone with no address? Most homeless people don't have the resources to even do their laundry; who is going to hire someone in filthy clothes? Also, the condition of homelessness creates and/or adds to a low sense of self-esteem, which makes it difficult to relate to other people. It is difficult to find, much less keep a job, once a person's self-esteem is so badly damaged.

Although, I would like to believe that my ability to rise out of the condition of homelessness is attributable to some kind of inner-strength or above-average intelligence, deeper reflection tells me this is not true. I believe the answer is closer related to the fact that the environment I was brought up in offered me more options than other homeless people. The closeness and kindness of the friends that I grew up with also helped me through the times of real hardship.

Like many homeless people (and nearly everyone else), I was the victim of abuse in the form of neglect and abandonment by my parents. This type of abuse is not always easy to detect or understand. Parenting styles greatly affect a persons chance of becoming homeless. My parents loved me and they told me so often--they often showed their love through great acts of generosity and selflessness, but both of my parents are extreme narcissists and are incapable of the ordinary concern and empathy that a parent should have for their children. There were times when I was often left alone, or in the care of my siblings who were not yet old enough to properly care for a child, and had experienced themselves abuses probably far worse than any I had experienced. Sometimes, my parents would leave me with their friends for days at a time--I would always say that I was fine with it, but later in life I realized that this was a big contributor to the feelings insecurity which later led me to self destructive behavior and, ultimately to homelessness.

Victims of abuse don't always realize they have been abused. Abuse can be a subtle pattern of behavior which occurs over a long period of time--in these cases it is usually not clear to the victim or the abuser that any pattern of abuse exists. Also, in such cases it is not often clear who is the abuser and who is the victim because both parties participate in a kind of mutually abusive (and destructive) relationship. Because abusers are usually only repeating behavior they have learned through observation, they usually believe that they are acting normally and reasonably. Isolated incidents of extreme abuse are easier to identify, but often people who have experienced this kind of abuse have shut these incidents out their memories in order to avoid the extreme pain associated with them. Most victims of abuse have chemical dependency problems--it is a relief to shut out the feelings of worthlessness, pain, and depression, by drowning them with alcohol or other drugs.

The next time you see a homeless person, I challenge you to look them in the eye...smile and say hello instead of turning away in disgust. They can sense your disdain and they probably feel worse about themselves than you will ever know. You don't have to give them money if they ask for it--just say hi and meet their eyes. Sometimes a friendly word is worth more than a few cents, anyway. In order to raise awareness of the problems the homeless face, I look for homeless people and ask them if I can take their photographs: I always give them a dollar or two for the privilege of doing so. Usually, I am surprised by their cheerfulness and sense of dignity and pride. Often, they will show themselves to have some kind of talent--there is a fine line between genius and insanity. They are usually very friendly and will sometimes perform great acts of generosity. Help me to fight homelessness by donating to this website or making a purchase through the Faces of the Homeless gift shop. A poor, homeless man who gives away his last dime is holier than a wealthy man who makes huge donations to charity. I know of what I speak, for I have been that homeless man.

Comments from previous web-host:

I for one found this to be a powerful, well thought, painful, honest and enlightening blog... :)

January 20, 2009 | Angelworker