Notebook Paper Cigarettes
A Photo Essay by Nick Oxford
A Photo Essay by Nick Oxford
The intention of this photo essay is not to exploit, impose or garner sympathy. Rather it is to capture a small but exacting glimpse of what life is like for those who have less than you or I could ever imagine. They let me into their world for a day and, although mostly overlooked by others, they have dreams, passions and goals. Despite the fact that their circumstances may look grim, most have hope for a better life and situation for themselves in the future. They may be homeless, jobless and without a family but first and foremost they are people just like you and I.
Bicycles provide a much needed mode of transportation for those who own no car and have no place to call home in Shawnee.
Gary rolls cigarettes from spare notebook paper or magazine pages that he finds because it is cheaper than purchasing rolling papers.
Gary sleeps on the street and more often than not whenever he finds a warm or concealed place to sleep he is woken up by teenagers who taunt or throw rocks at him.
The Salvation Army serves dinner to any and all who come every night of the week. A church group volunteered to cook and serve chicken and dumplings for this dinner, which was for many the first meal of their day.
Mike is an accomplished artist and enjoys showing his art to other people. He hopes to get his art into a gallery or sell some of it soon so he can get back on his feet.
Mark has been homeless for four years. He knows how to weld but can’t afford to go back to school to update his knowledge on new techniques and equipment.
Angel and his wife Denise have been sleeping on the streets for three years now. Their recent hopes of acquiring a small house were destroyed when the city condemned the property.
