The High Plains Drifter

In late-February, Curtine Metcalf was with us during a photo expedition to the Band Shell.  (See the February 27 post.)  There, she met Hope and Baby and subsequently wrote their story.  Today, Curtine and I caught up with each other again.  This time, she introduced me to Don, the High Plains Drifter.

Curtine wrote the Drifter's story over a month ago.  However, Don had traveled to Missouri to visit with his brother and we had not been able to meet so that I could take his photograph.  That changed today.

Don was back in Boulder, and was at his usual spot on a bench near the southeast corner of the Post Office building at 15th and Walnut.  I introduced myself to Don - said that I expected Curtine to join us.  With the exchange of a couple of my questions and his answers, it was like the Drifter and I were old friends.  The conversation came easily and we spoke of his travels, his time in the Air Force, his family, how he gets by on the street, his avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, and what he does with the money he gets from "flying" a sign (requesting money via a cardboard sign).

The sunlight was too harsh for me and the photograph I wanted to capture.  Plus, given this morning's temps in the high 70's, I didn't want the four coats over Don's shirt to overheat him.  So, we moved into the shade of the building just across 15th Street from the Post Office.  Curtine joined us there.

He told me that today was the ten-year anniversary of his coming to Boulder.

The Drifter helped me with some of my equipment set-up and tear-down.  He is a kind and careful man.  I am richer, having met and shared time this morning with Don.

This is the photograph I captured of Don, the High Plains Drifter.  

The Faith Community

Churches and synagogues have long been associated with aid to the homeless.  From preparation and serving of meals; to collection, storage and distribution of clothing; the faith community has led and supported programs to assist the homeless.  Many describe this as helping "the least of these."

In Boulder last winter, five Christian churches and one Jewish synagogue participated in BOHO - Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow.  Those communities open their doors to the homeless on cold or wet winter nights.  That way, those that either are unable or are unwilling to stay indoors at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless can be off the street.

During the 2010 - 2011 winter season the following organizations provided overnight BOHO shelter:

• Cornerstone Church
• St. Aidan's Episcopal Church
• Boulder Mennonite Church
• St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
• Congregation Har HaShem
• Crestview Church

Learn more about BOHO at http://bohocommunity.com/.

I recently had the privilege of photographing and speaking with Rabbi Deborah Bronstein of Congregation Har HaShem.  Lisa Trank-Greene will interview Rabbi Bronstein and will write her story.

Writers' Day #2

On Saturday morning, Elle and I held the second Writers' Day.  We hosted eight of the project's writers for portraits at the studio.

Saturday's weather was excellent so, rather than using our indoor studio and exclusively artificial lights, we used the outdoor setting outside the studio and limited artificial lighting to photograph each of our writers.

I continue to be amazed and delighted at the writing background and accomplishments of our wonderful volunteer writers!  As an example, Michele Weiner-Davis, MSW has written seven books on divorce and saving marriages.  She has made appearances on such shows as Oprah, 48 Hours, 20/20, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News, CNN and Bill O'Reilly.  Her work has been featured in major newspapers such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, and magazines such as Time, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, Essence, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Woman's Day, Men's Health, New Woman, and McCalls.

Michele wrote about Cassie Gedbaw, the CU student that is so heavily involved with activities in support of the homeless.

Here is Michele's portrait from this Saturday's session.

A Rainy Day for Photographs

On Thursday, July 14, I went to the Carriage House with Mary Beth Lagerborg, a new writer for the project.  We met Joy at about 10:45 am and almost immediately had people wanting to tell their stories of homelessness, resilience, recovery and redemption.  It was outstanding to have so many that wanted to participate.

Our parade was rained upon, though.  Quite literally, the skies opened with great deluge and, although I can photograph in most situations, asking people to stand in a downpour doesn't make for great portraiture.  This caused challenges with getting photographs and interviews together before people had to get to the bus for the ride to work, or off to other appointments.  And, as a result, we lost a couple of participants.

After photographing and interviewing one of our subjects on Thursday, she asked that her photograph not be used.  Since she is dealing with domestic violence and fears for her safety, her request is quite understandable. However, since this is a book of portrait photography it is difficult to reconcile including her compelling story into the book without a corresponding photograph.  We are still trying to sort this one out.

We have had a challenge finding a representative of that very important component the homeless population - the victim of domestic violence - to participate in this project.  If you know of anyone in this situation, or someone that has come through it and would be willing to be involved in the project, please let me know.

Of the six homeless people (including two people from one family) and one writer that I photographed on Thursday, here is the image of Dizzy Wind. Dizzy is a musician from Milwaukee who plays in the Boulder area. Marsha Perlman will reach out to Dizzy to write his story.

Faces at the Carriage House

Today, Joy Eckstine and I had planned to visit the Deacon's Closet at First Presbyterian Church.  The church opens to the public on Thursday mornings to offer clothing, toiletries, small housewares, books and other miscellaneous items at no cost to individuals with special or recurring needs.  We had hoped to find some homeless people there that would be willing to participate in our project by having their photograph taken and be interviewed for a story for the book.  However, we never left the Carriage House.

Today, we found plenty of people interested in participating in the project at the Carriage House.  Of course, as always, some people that were invited to participate chose to decline for a variety of reasons.  That's pretty understandable.  However, I photographed six individuals and one couple.  All pictures were taken within yards of the Carriage House.

This is the photograph of Eric and LeDriedre. Next week, they will be leaving the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless and moving to permanent housing.  Congratulations on their transition!

Writers' Day

On Saturday morning, Elle and I hosted some of the writers at our home and studio for coffee, bagels and portraits.  The sun peeked through following days (it seems like weeks) of rain clouds and gave us the chance to get outdoor photographs of some writers for the book.  Since not all writers could join us, we intend to hold another writers' morning in July.

Here's the photograph of Carol Grever.  Carol was one of the first writers in the project. I met Carol at a Boulder Rotary Club meeting last fall when Attention Homes was presenting the meeting's program.  Not only is Carol a past president of that Rotary club, she is an accomplished and published author, and she is a member of some local writers groups.  Carol is VERY well connected!  She was so struck with the concept for this book and the cause that it will serve that she attended our organizational meeting, recruited a number of our early writers, and has encouraged us along the way.  Carol has been a wonderful member of the project team and she demonstrates how Rotary works within the community and between clubs.

A particularly big Thank You goes to Maryjo Faith Morgan for leaving her house guests early on a Saturday and driving from Loveland to be with us.  She's a delightful and wonderfully energetic person!

Getting to meet some of our writers for the first time was particularly rewarding.  Since most of our communication has been via email, it was great to connect a face with a person, and with the story that they wrote.  And, isn't connecting faces with people a key part of what this project is all about?

Volunteer Faces

Over the past couple of weeks, I had the privilege of photographing some volunteers from the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless.  The Shelter is a key component of the homeless community, providing meals and overnight shelter in winter months.  It provides support services to the homeless in Boulder throughout the year.

Through the outstanding help of Gina Barajas, the Shelter's Volunteer Manager, I was connected with Jon and Deborah Davis, and Joe Pickett.  Jon and Deborah have volunteered for years in the Shelter's kitchen to prepare and serve meals.  Joe volunteers with Boulder County Cares and with other organizations that serve the homeless.  Boulder County Cares is the street outreach program of the Boulder Shelter.  BCC volunteers canvass the community every winter evening, distributing blankets, gloves, hats, and other warm clothing, and providing food to unsheltered homeless people who are living on the streets.

This is the photograph of Jon and Deborah, taken in the kitchen of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless.