www.pumafc.org
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Showing posts with label Kansas City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kansas City. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Chance for All
www.pumafc.org
More photos
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Missouri is Still the Highest in African American Homicides
According to the Violence Policy Center, "Washington, DC--Missouri leads the nation in the rate of black homicide victimization for the second year in a row according to a new analysis of unpublished Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data released today by the Violence Policy Center (VPC)."
http://www.vpc.org/press/1201homicide.htm
http://www.vpc.org/press/1201homicide.htm
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Her Will
Yesterday I went to visit Linda. She has been through a lot since I last posted about her. She had left the shelters and moved into her own home in a government subsidized project. In her new place, she had seemed happy, talkative and open.
After about four months had past, her health deteriorated. Linda’s neighbor had found her on the floor unresponsive. She had been there for two days. She is now living in a nursing home for the time being. When I went to find her, a nurse had to point me to her as I did not recognize her. She lost so much weight, her frame is skeletal and she is now in a wheelchair. The nurses say she is not eating much.
She and I found a place in the dining hall that was quiet to talk. We sat there in silence for a long time. If I asked her a question, her response was yes or no without elaboration. When I asked her how is her will to live, she put her head down, chipped at her worn nail polish, and slowly replied “it’s good.” I gave her some updates about my own life and she listened intently.
We continued to sit in silence. Linda seemed so tired....
I mentioned that Etta James had died. She asked who was she. I explained that James sang a famous song called “At Last." Linda looked at me blankly. Then I played it on my phone. She closed her eyes, she smiled knowingly and began to hum along....
I mentioned that Etta James had died. She asked who was she. I explained that James sang a famous song called “At Last." Linda looked at me blankly. Then I played it on my phone. She closed her eyes, she smiled knowingly and began to hum along....
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Linda
I first met Linda at The Emancipation Station, a day shelter for women. Linda has been homeless since February. She has been living in shelters from month to month. Her only income is a few dollars support every week from her brothers and sisters. She has been hunting for jobs weekly through Goodwill Industries and other organizations with no success. After a relationship dissolved at the beginning of the year Linda became homeless at 47 years old. She has an 19 year old daughter and a 2 month old grandson.
The women at the day shelter describe Linda as a little lady with a big voice. They enjoy her infectious loud laugh. When others have a story to tell, she is the one who listens. Linda is known to help women with their children when they need it and with getting chores done around the shelter.
Recently, Linda has been diagnosed with Emphysema and COPD. She has not laughed much in the last couple of weeks and has been in and out of the emergency room several times. When I saw her Monday, she was very sick, was unable to do anything, very quiet.
One would think she has a death wish because, despite her diagnosis, she continues to smoke. She said smoking calms her nerves and her addiction to menthol cigarettes, the least expensive in the neighborhood, is "rough." The doctor recommended the patch, but she cannot afford it.
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| Linda took a break for an emergency inhale of medicine at Kitty's Restaurant near the Emancipation Station. |
In giving thanks this Thanksgiving, I want to recognize Linda, for being a genuine and beautiful person.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Shane Evans Gave Thanks to His Neighbor, Pastor Alice
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Nicole's Story
I have been working on a long-term photo project documenting different women's stories at Emancipation Station, a day shelter for homeless women.
I finished shooting the first half of Nicole's story and hope to find a place to publish it when I am finished editing.
Nicole, age 23, moved into an apartment last Friday with her three children after they were homeless for over two months.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Bearing Witness at the Emancipation Station, A Day Shelter for Women
Fearful dreams of the dark corridors that these people's lives inhabit are starting to dissipate into a conversation, a sharing of space. Human beings, women and sometimes children, with real feelings, hopes and fears. The same as anyone without a home or job and limited options.
Each person has a story to tell....
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Operation Breakthrough
Here are some images of an ongoing project I'm currently doing. They are the very early stages of documenting life at Operation Breakthrough, a daycare center located in Kansas City established to help children living in poverty gain access to education, clothing and medical care. It provides care for infants to grade school children and before and after school care for school- aged children. There is a waiting list of approximately 1200 children and the enrollment priority is given to homeless children. Operation Breakthrough sometimes serves as the child's only source of stability, clothing, food and healthcare. Teachers, therapists and healthcare workers struggle together everyday to bring these children a chance at opportunity
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Sarahs's School is open for business
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
How Bizarre...
People from the Fred Phelp's following decided to picket The Pembroke Hill School for some reason that no one seems to understand and UMKC for it's screening of The Laramie Project. Many passersby found it very difficult to comprehend the reasoning behind their rhetoric. Several observers tried to get into philosophical and ethical discussions with them and ending in no resolution while others simply responded by showing them the middle finger.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Sarahs' School
Sarah Garibaldi in her soon to be school house. ©Rachael Jane
Monday, October 12, 2009
Emancipation Station
After visiting the Emancipation Station, a shelter for women, I thought about it a long time afterwards. I was in awe of Pastor Alice Pigee-Wallack who runs the center. Her strength for dealing with the difficult and hard stories of these women. Sometimes it is a story of mental illness, sometimes drugs, abuse, or just hard luck. Just recently "Pastor Alice" as they call her, told me that the story we did helped them earn a $5000 grant. It motivates me to go out and do more photography like this.
If you or someone you know would like to help the Emancipation Station, contact the Janet Brown Moss at janetbridgeworks@sbcglobal.net or call 816.531.6577. To contact the True Light Family Resource Center, please call 816.561.1700 or emailtruelightfrc@hotmail.com.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Quixotic Fusion
Their new Show is coming to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art on September 12th
Lux Esalare
©Rachael Jane
Backstage at the Madrid Theater:
©Rachael Jane
©Rachael Jane
Lux Esalare
Backstage at the Madrid Theater:
Monday, August 24, 2009
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