Two New Faces

Yesterday I met two new friends at the intersection of homelessness and mainstream.  I photographed Lisa Morzel in the Boulder City Council Chambers, and I photographed Anna Maria Pirone in her Stand Up for Kids facility.

A longtime resident of Boulder, Lisa has been a member of the Boulder City Council for years.  Starting in 1995 and continuing through today, with time away from the Council from 2003 - 2007, Lisa has represented Boulder citizens with a particular focus on environmental, social and economic issues.  When not working on city business, Lisa is a Research Geologist for USGS.  She has a particular awareness and knowledge of homelessness.  Sharon Monroe is Lisa's writer.  What an inspirational story Lisa has to tell via Sharon!

I then walked from the city Municipal building at 1777 Broadway to the Masonic Lodge at 2205 Broadway and the basement facility of Stand Up for Kids.  SUFK leases the space from the Lodge in order to help homeless and street kids.  As part of the national SUFK organization, the Boulder program focuses volunteers' passion for kids through food drives, street outreach, counseling, and providing a safe environment for kids without homes.

Anna is Executive Director of Boulder's Stand Up for Kids program. Her story is being written by Beth Bartel.  While I haven't yet seen her story, Beth has a wonderful opportunity to capture Anna's passion for kids, and Anna's amazing story of challenges while growing up in New York.

Here's a photograph of Anna Maria Pirone.

A Surprise Opportunity

Yesterday, I met Jade Beaty at Naropa University's Alan Ginsburg library.  Jade is now, as she has often been, between lodging locations.  Generally, she stays with friends in homes that are compatible with Jade's chemical sensitivities.  Jade works in the Denver/Longmont area and is an Intimacy Consultant through her business, Sensual Wisdom.  She's applying to become a student at Naropa.  Although she doesn't believe that she is very photogenic, I am quite pleased with yesterday's photograph of Jade.

After wrapping up at Naropa, I stopped by Zing Hair Style on Spruce Street to visit with Joy Douglas, Zing's owner.  Formerly homeless, Joy is now a local businessperson.  I photographed Joy a couple of weeks ago but did not have a model release card at that time.  Yesterday's visit was to get Joy's signature on the release card.  I'm also happy to have provided a digital file of that photograph to Joy for her use on Zing's website.

While in the area, I stopped by the Carriage House Community table to connect with Joy Eckstine, its Executive Director.  After a conversation about a tragic and senseless hit-and-run fatality involving a Carriage House guest and member of Boulder's homeless population, I was introduced to "Paul" and learned of his willingness to be included in our project.  It was a surprise to connect with Paul and have the opportunity for an unexpected photograph.  But, my years of working in sales whispered to me to take Paul's photograph now despite an afternoon of commitments, rather than trying to schedule time with Paul for some point in the future -- some time that might be more convenient for me.

Paul is a long-time Boulder resident although his college years were spent in Santa Cruz, California.  Paul's contact information will be firmed-up with access to email and a phone number in a few days. Until then, I have only a photograph and assurance from Paul that he has a VERY interesting story.  I'm sure that one of our writers will relish spending time with Paul and hearing what he has to say!

Here is "Paul's" photograph, taken just across the parking lot from the Carriage House.