Tag: street people

Phil at the Fishing Pier

Weather chilly. Phil rode his bike down the hill. Comes here everyday. He awaits the Spring to cookout behind the water treatment building or at North Beach.

Muskrat slides on the ice, seeking cover, blending in to the winter cover colors.

Phil’s off on his bike to the library. Well maintained, the parts come from spares he gathers from well-off UVM students who also help him with bottles when he needs some tobacco money. Sturdy and reliable transportation, doctor told him, “bicycle riding is good for the heart.” He says, despite some pressing health problems, that he always has a good day. Talking with him made mine.

Author duckshotsPosted on March 21, 2011March 21, 2011Categories burlington, Lake Champlain, photographyTags street peopleLeave a comment on Phil at the Fishing Pier

Larry’s Back on Church

Hadn’t seen him for a few months. He said he had been at the shelter, sober for at least 8 weeks. Had his first drinks of the season. “Have a few months to wait until I start collecting my retirement. I am taking early retirement at 62.” “What job did you retire from?” “I’ve had a lot of jobs.” “Whose paying your retirement?” “Social security.” “How much you getting?” “$700 something and 31 cents. Don’t forget about the cents.”

“Are you going back on your box?” “What box?” “The box you sit on and ask people for money.” “Of course. Its my job.”

Author duckshotsPosted on March 20, 2011March 20, 2011Categories burlington, HomelessTags social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Larry’s Back on Church

Teena and Michael on Main

Teena and Michael sit on Main St. Can’t go to Turning Point, a drop in, because it only opens for meetings.

Author duckshotsPosted on March 15, 2011March 15, 2011Categories burlington, photographyTags social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Teena and Michael on Main

Larry Bottle Guy

Larry relaxes after picking up bottles. Rolls a cigarette. Kicks back.

He said his brother died last spring. He took over the bottle business. “You should see me with a full load.”

He does what he has to do to survive.

Author duckshotsPosted on March 13, 2011March 13, 2011Categories burlington, photographyTags social justice, street people1 Comment on Larry Bottle Guy

Mike and Richard North on Cherry Street

I know a lot of these people, but I had not met Mike or Richard North until this week. According to Mike, they control the ramp leading off I89. I had meant to visit out there where a whole different crew hangs out to find out what their needs were and whether they were on the social services chart or not. One of the Cots people introduced me to Richard. He agreed to let me take his picture. Mike introduced himself, beseeching me to take his and put it on America’s Most Wanted.

I found the two of them sitting on the shady side of Cherry Street on a cold, cold, cold day. “We slept on the street,” said Richard. “Mike tried to get himself arrested, but he was too drunk.” No wonder he wanted to be on the show.

Author duckshotsPosted on February 25, 2011May 2, 2011Categories burlington, HomelessTags social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Mike and Richard North on Cherry Street

Pete Two Does Bottles

You know the guy came a long way back. He has a place to live, but not a lot of spare change or change to spare. So he does bottles down near the food shelf. Not healthy enough to walk, he takes the bus and then gets lunch.

Author duckshotsPosted on February 24, 2011February 24, 2011Categories art, Homeless, photographyTags social justice, street people1 Comment on Pete Two Does Bottles

Becky On Cherry

I saw her on a milk crate near Ben and Jerry’s. She looked young, cold, and sad. “Need some food,” I asked? “I need cat food,” she replied. I gasped, immediately thinking she would eat cat food as a tuna substitute. “Do you have enough money for food?” “Yeh, my boyfriend gets SSI and we do a little work, but its barely enough to cover rent and food. I don’t usually come out her to sit. I just need some money to feed my three cats.”

Continue reading “Becky On Cherry”

Author duckshotsPosted on February 18, 2011February 18, 2011Categories burlington, food, photographyTags social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Becky On Cherry

Church Street Christmas

Buses don’t run on Christmas in Burlington. If you be here, you be here. If you not be here, you be somewhere else. Odd. You can hear the traffic signals. No outsiders. College kids home. Street people all snuggled up in shelters and motels and camps. No stores open, except for Rite Aid. No restaurants. Gray. Cold. Deserted.

Continue reading “Church Street Christmas”