Human by Vagabunda

Name, age, hometown Best childhood memory: Food: Drink: Color: Thing to do: Place in the city: Cartoon character: If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? What inspires you? What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. What is one thing that you want people to know about you?

Miller

Human

Portraits by Alisa Miller Edited by Martyn Miller Other photographs by Harrison Brink and Lina Miller Interviews conducted by Harrison Brink and Paul Imburgia Transcriped by Alisa Miller and James Kalinoski Design by Alisa Miller Other contributers: Amin Abichahine AC Constantine Andy Manuele Brian Dorman Danielle Kalinoski James Kalinoski Jordan Harris Jun Diao Malika Moore Martyn Miller Meaghan Pogue Nada Miller Nicky Orzhihovsku Tiaza Hill Paul Imurgia

Human Alisa Miller

Special thanks to all of the amazing staff at the Arch Street United Methodist Church for letting us use their space, the volunteers who donated food, clothes and their time to the making of this book and, of course, the models who came out to be a part of it. I seriously could not have done it without you guys.

Human

Part 1: People Adrian Byrd...............................................................8 Alisa Miller....................................................................10 Ana Dekker..............................................................12 Diann Rollins...........................................................14 Ernestine Walton...........................................16 George Miller...........................................................18 Hakim Capehart...........................................20 Harrison Brink.................................................22 James Giberson.............................................24 James Kalinoski................................................26 Jeanine Dimeglio..............................................28 Lina Miller..................................................................30 Lucky Helen............................................................32 Mark Turner.....................................................34

Malika Moore......................................................36 Nicky Orzhihovsky.....................................38 Paul Imburgia................................................40 Richie Hammond.........................................42 Roberto M.. Gonzalez.........................44 Sherieff McCrae.........................................46 Steve Grant.......................................................48 Tasha Baker...................................................50 Thomas Andrews.......................................52 Tiaza Hill.................................................................54 Toni R. Mcilwaune.....................................56 Vertceill Sabb...............................................58 Victoria Burton...........................................60

Part 2: A Gathering A Gathering...............................................................................................................................62 Preparation................................................................................................................................64 Day Of...............................................................................................................................................68 7

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Adrian Byrd, 48, South Carolina Best childhood memory: Birthday parties we had and how my parents would get together and take us to Wildwood and, you know, Jersey and the museum and stuff like that and just have a good time family oriented. Food: Spaghetti and meatballs Drink: Fruit punch Color: Blue Thing to do: Preach the gospel Place in the city: Church, The Vision of Grace Cartoon character: There are so many, but Bugs Bunny would have to be my favorite. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I would rather go back down to South Carolina and, you know,, just be around my family and pull everybody together. What inspires you? The nature in me of helping people, and when I help people it uplifts me because I see somebody else that need help, and by helping them it lifts my spirits up. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Actually, I'm working on getting my GED, going back to school for my medical license. I want to work in the medical field. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would have to say the horse because the horse is fast and strong. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. The time when I was over my sister's house and I was asleep and I took my medication and I starting thinking about having this dream that I was in this place and it was raining down money everywhere, and I just gathered up the money all I could and just started helping out the family that didn't have. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? That I'm a loving and caring person and that, just know that, everybody falls down and need help, and there's not nothing wrong with asking for help. If someone needs help, I'm the type of person, even though I don't have, I can always extend my hand.

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Alisa Miller, 25, Athens, GA Best childhood memory: - Playing in the woods behind my house with my sister and using our imaginations to pretend we were explorers in the jungle. Food: Any Mexican food or sushi Drink: Coconut water Color: teal Thing to do: TRAVEL!! Place in the city: My bestfriend James' house. Cartoon character: Stewie Griffin If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I plan to always keep moving, but I would like to have a piece of land somewhere, maybe in Spain or France, where I and other travelers can come to rest along the way. What inspires you? Anyone who is trying to better themselves or the world around them. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Short-term I want to finish with this college stuff...one more semester...and long-term I want to retire on a big piece of land, after visiting every country in the world,, and open an animal shelter. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Probably some kind of bird because if I did not like a place, I could just fly away. Flying to me seems like the ultimate form of freedom. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Probably one where I had to walk across a tightrope with a bottomless pit below me. I couldn't balance so I tried to crawl across, and the whole time I felt like I was falling and there were people on the other side of the rope laughing at me and taunting me. The strangest part was on the walls (in my dream) was written “Os ratos estao commendo os gatos“ which means “The rats are eating the cats“ in Portuguese. Needless to say, it was not pleasant. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I always root for the underdog.

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Ana Dekker, 32, New Mexico Best childhood memory: Coming home to my father's house cause for a short time. We were in foster care when my father and my mother split up, so coming home is probably the best memory. Food: Lasagna Drink: Mountain Dew Color: Pink Thing to do: Write horror fantasy Place in the city: Rittenhouse Square Cartoon character: Donald Duck If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Probably Germany just because I have a fascination with the German culture. What inspires you? Music and literature What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Short-term goal is to get back on my feet and get working, and a long-term goal is to get a book published. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Probably a cat because they have the easiest life ever. They just lay around and get fat. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I kind of have a recurring dream of falling down a really deep canyon, and I wake up just as I land, of course. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I don't know how to answer that.

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Diann Rollins, 70, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: Winding the clock of my uncle's clock. It went tick..tock, tick...tock, and we had to wind it so it would go tick-tock, tick-tock. Food: Anything that I like eating, except for chitlins, I don't eat chitlins. Drink: Water Color: Whatever color I am wearing Thing to do: Walk around the city and see all the sights Place in the city: Well, most of the time it's home. I get home and in my bed, and I go to sleep, and I wake up, and it's still the next day. Cartoon character: I haven't seen cartoons in a long while. I don't have television, and when I go to the doctor's office, I see these creatures that look like Spongebobs. I don't like Spongebob, but I like the characters that go along with him. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I would just like to take a long journey around the world and see the world in 80 days like Jules Vern did, but not in a balloon. What inspires you? Living and breathing and seeing everybody doing their task and actually completing their task, and when I finish something that I have started, I feel real good because I know I have another task to do. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Long-term I want to become a doctor. And I am a doctor because doctor means teacher, and I'm a physician because I heal people. And actually when I pray, I pray that my thoughts will be my prayer and I will have happy thoughts for everyone concerned; and if I have happy thoughts for everyone concerned, if they want to be sad, it's okay. That's their concern to be sad. If they want to be blue, they can be blue. But it's brighter to be happy; and if you're sad, just let a little tear here and there and let it go down your cheek and then taste it in your mouth, and you'll find it's a little salty. That means you're in good health. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I haven't figured out what animal I want to be. I could be an owl, I could be a lion, I could be a tiger, I can be a horse, I can be a hippopotamus, I could be a zebra. I would be the entire zoo. A little goose, a little peacock, a little teddy bear. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I dreamt that I was awake and I went to the bathroom, and I peed my pants in bed because I really wasn't awake. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I'm a student of forever. I study all the time. I never, never stop studying. 14

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Ernestine Walton, 45, South Carolina Food: I like cheese steaks; I like everything Drink: Pepsi, Mountain Dew, all kinds of soda, and Kool Aid. Color: I like dark colors, black, red, and stuff like that. Thing to do: I like to cook. Place in the city: Anywhere in Philadelphia, PA. I go all over. Cartoon character: I don't like cartoons, I like the soap operas. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I would go back to my hometown, North Greenwood, South Carolina. What inspires you? To keep on striving and keep moving forward and don't look back. Keep on goin' forward. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. To keep the focus, stay positive while I'm out here, and take care of myself, my health. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I'd be a rabbit because Easter's coming up! Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I'm afraid of the walking dead, I'm like a walking soldier, and I keep on striving, and I don't see nothin' in my dream. I just sleep and don't do nothing. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? That I'm blessed, and by me being blessed, I keep walking and keep on moving.

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George Miller, 17, Athens, GA Best childhood memory:: Playing Mario Kart and Smash Bros. in our cousin's old basement. Food: Red beans and rice Drink: Any tea Color: Green Thing to do: Play music Place in the city: South Street but when it was cool. Cartoon character: Krusty the Klown. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Barcelona, because there is crazy scenery along with amazing skate spots. What inspires you? Music, art, and skateboarding What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. To get into art school. After that I just want to play music, skate, do art, and travel forever. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would want to be a lynx because they are crazy, wild cats, I love cats. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Too crazy to remember, sorry.. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? If you can get past how awkward I am, I'm pretty easy to talk to.

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Hakim Capehart, 42, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: I have a lot of em but one. I'm gonna give you one: was being a MC, a rapper and people liking it; that was a really good memory. Food: Rice, all kinds of rice. Drink: I don't buy alcohol, but I do taste it when I'm around people who has it. My favorite drink would probably be rum or something like that. Color: Blue Thing to do: I need to think bloody hard on that. Well, I can just answer you just wildly, like that, like anything, my favorite thing to do. I need to be on Maury or Jerry Springer or something because I'm, I'm, like, a sex addict. Place in the city: That's easy because where I grew up at 21st and Master, like I wander around there so much. The neighborhood has changed so much, and I still wander around. People don't even know me. Cartoon character: Ok, well, it's been a while since I watched cartoons, though. Uhh, Speed Racer, yea, Speed Racer is my boy.. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I would live in Africa because everything I hear about Africa, it doesn't seem right if I'm not there. I learn better by hands on; that's why, I learn better, and I think it's pretty. What inspires you? The Creator of all of these things, the materials, the Creator of everything that exists of heavens, Earth and everything that exists, that's what I'm inspired by, and I don't need church or any sacred place to go to. That thing I could study that out of books quietly, I don't need music; music diverts me from all of that, when it comes to me and the Creator. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. So you see, I have children and my goals are to make sure that I develop a really close relationship with them always and to make sure that if they need me for anything, I want to someday have a house that if they need to come to it for any reasons, even when they're off on their own, like some of them are. But if they ever need to come back or need a place to stay, I want to make sure they have that. I want to buy them a house. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be a silverback gorilla because they're strong and they can have any lady that they like in their tribe. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I don't dream much at all but I remember when I was a young boy, I would dream about flying, I am flying without an airplane, just me, I could just run down the street and take off. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I like to jog, it's a good way to keep yourself in good shape. Miller

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Harrison Brink, 19, Fort Washington, PA Best childhood memory: Going to the public pool with my brothers and then going home and playing Nintendo 64 with them. I know that it seems insignificant, but the smell of chlorine still takes me back to those days and gives me a lot of nostalgia. Food: Right now, Steak. Drink: COFFEE Color: Not committed, but I'll say green Thing to do: Play guitar or work on certain photography projects Place in the city: Rittenhouse Square Cartoon character: Patrick Star If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I'd say a Scottish countryside. I fantasize about living a much simpler life somewhat more off the map and without much technology. It's more of a when than a where for me, but I basically want to just live in Scotland and raise sheep. What inspires you? My friends and family, I'm mostly just looking to make the ones I care about proud. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Long Term: Get a house and move into the city to work as a documentary filmmaker of sorts. I want to show all of the different types of people in Philadelphia though video. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I'd be a dog, I think, because for one thing I'm an intensely loyal person to people I care about, to a fault; but maybe more so because I think that they have an easy life that they enjoy. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Ok, here we go... So when I was younger I was terrified of Maleficent, the witch from Disney's Sleeping Beauty. I also really hated these two-minute math sheets we used to get in school to practice times tables because I was no good at math and could never finish them. So where my subconscious put these two things together was in my sleep. I had a recurring dream for a while where I would be sitting in my dining room with a two-minute math sheet while Maleficent was walking up my basement staircase. If I didn't finish the sheet before she made it up to me, she would kill me, and I would wake up after there was a flash of green light. So that was fun! What is one thing that you want people to know about you? My personality is very dry as is my humor. Because of this I know that I come across as insincere and uncaring. I would want people to know that I really am a caring person and I don't think that I'm better than anyone or above anything and am interested in knowing about everything. Miller

James Giberson, 46, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: My best memory of my life was when I was in the United States Army and graduating basic training. It was the graduation day,. My father was my best friend, and I was marching right across the stands where all the families were, and they said, while we were marching, they said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eyes right.â&#x20AC;&#x153; Soon as I turned my eyes right, my dad's, I just looked straight at him out of like 400 other people. It was, like, you know, one of my proudest moments, one of the best moments of my life. Food: All kinds, cheesesteaks Drink: I like iced tea Color: Blue Thing to do: Enjoy life and praise the lord Jesus Christ Place in the city: I like the city, Center City, Art Musem, Schuylkill river, and the parks, like Rittenhouse Square park. Cartoon character: When I was a kid, I watched the Flintstones, Fred Flintstone, right. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Wherever the world wants me, I should be dead a thousand times over, but I am still here for a reason,; that reason I am not sure. But eventually I would like to become certified as a drug and alcohol counselor and help out the homeless on the streets of Philadelphia and the drug addicts. What inspires you? The Lord, life, yeah. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Short term: I got to get myself squared away at the halfway house. I'm on parole. I have to get my life together, stop using the excuses of my past, and start taking responsibilities and doing the right thing and get my life together. Long term goals: Through the veterans administration, get certified as a drug and alcohol counselor. I am not afraid to say this: I am not only a drug addict and homeless for a lot of years, but I have been HIV positive for 24 years, a year before even Magic Johnson was even diagnosed. I was diagnosed, and I would like to help out not only the drug addicts and homeless, but also those living with HIV and be an inspiration. A lot of times, I felt like giving up, but I am still here. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Any animal, a lion cub, because Jesus is gonna come back as a lion. I am a child of God, yeah. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. My dad passed away six years ago, and it wasn't, I was dreaming, I think, but I had a job working in a gym, I had to get up 4:30 in the morning, I think I was dreaming about him. I'm not sure, but I woke up, and I would of been late. But what woke me up, the alarm didn't go off. We had the shades right there. I was living in an apartment with my father. We have these shades we had taped up there for four years. My dad taped it up there because it was ready to fall, but he taped it there. It's kinda funny. Like quarter after four, I was supposed to be leaving at 4:30. After all these years I never failed, and right when I was ready to oversleep for work, it fell. But I thought of my father. I don't know, I actually think my Dad was the one who brought the shade down. That was kind of crazy. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? Don't ever give up! About me? That I am a very caring person, that has been through a lot, and I believe in Jesus. I love in Jesus with all my heart, and that's a hard question. I would never dreamed I would become a homeless addict. I will go out and do everything I can to help someone out and tell them that Jesus loves them. I don't know. 24

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James Kalinoski, 25, Abington, PA Best childhood memory:: Going to Alaska with my family when I was 10 because I got to experience the earth and my family in a different way and really inspired my desire to travel. Food: CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ANYTHING! Drink: Mango Peach Banana Smoothie or Cranberry Apple Juice Color: Lavender or Turquoise Thing to do: I love to create artwork and ideas. Place in the city: Abandoned Piers! Cartoon character: Milk-chan If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I can't answer that question yet because I haven't decided, but somewhere warm I'd imagine! What inspires you? Dreams What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. To be able to spread my art and vision to the world, to master my personal energetic ability, and learn to live a divine life of balance between my body, soul and mind. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Human because it's like being a bunch of different animals in one. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. This one I'm having right now! What is one thing that you want people to know about you? That I am grateful for the opportunity for sharing, and I pray that all our days will get better and easier as they come.

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Jeanine Demeglio, 39, Trenton Best childhood memory: Being raised with my Grandmom and before my Mom died. I have flashes of what we used to do. And my Grandpa. They raised me. Food: I like mostly anything except with beans. Like tacos, like Spanish foods, but I learned to eat a lot of it because I was incarcerated. That's what they seem to like to feed everybody, rice and beans Drink: Soda and coffee, Coca-cola. Color: Black, goes with everything and don't get dirty. Thing to do: I used to walk my dog. I loved him a lot. Me and my husband had a lot of common interests, like we liked music and movies and concerts. I like to work as a waitress, but that was prior to four years ago when we got on drugs and he became a different person and left me when I was in jail. Place in the city: I guess I would say outside in the parks, like any of the parks. It seems like Love Park because its right in the middle of everything. The Washington Park I saw yesterday. It was nice, but it's such a far walk! Cartoon character: Hello Kitty If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Hmm . . . I guess California because the beach and it's so big. I probably wouldn't have a hard time finding a job in the sun. What inspires you? Trying to make my Grandmom proud even though she is not here. Just to, if I don't do good, to try to do better. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. To get a place to live so I don't have to carry around my stuff, so I would be able to get a job and stay on my mental health medications so I don't drift off and do drugs or get with the wrong people. That's happened twice. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Tiger because nobody would hurt me. People tend not to hurt them. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Well, I really don't dream. My husband and other people have told me that I talk in my sleep, but I really don't remember dreams. Like bits and pieces and sometimes they're just not good, and I wake up, but I specifically can't name a dream. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? There's more to me than meets the eye.

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Lina Miller, 23, Athens, GA Best childhood memory: Best memory? How about most memorable? When I fell from a 20-foot magnolia tree. Food: stuffed grape leaves Drink: cabernet sauvignon or coffee Color: purple Thing to do: I love traveling and also making jewelry Place in the city: Schuylkill River Trail Cartoon character: Hank Hill If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Portugal because it's my destiny. What inspires you? Life! What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Graduate from college. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Otis [dog], because he's so cute and spoiled! Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. When I was a little kid I had a reoccurring dream that the garden hose turned into a giant blue snake and it tried to eat me. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I own a small business called Lina's Silver Lining. You can find me on Etsy.

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Lucky Helen, 57, West Philadelphia Best childhood memory: I used to swim; I used to box! Food: Spaghetti, only when I make it. Drink: I like juices a couple of them, orange juice. Color: Red. Thing to do: I can't do them no more because I have seizures now. I love to swim. I love to box. I love to work, but I can't work no more. I worked construction, I built half of this stuff around here! I worked from childhood until a couple months ago. It just happened a couple months ago! I can't do it no more.They trying to give me disability, so they took my ID card. They took my Social Security card. Place in the city: All over, down here. I lived in Germantown. The parks, I love the parks. That's mainly it, the parks. Cartoon character: That's a good one, I like Bugs Bunny. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Anywhere in the world, if I could, with not a lot of hassle, I would live in Atlantic City because my Aunt lives down there, and she's raising her kids, and they just lost their father, and I just love being near the water, the ocean. What inspires you? I don't know why I would answer that. I love so many things, you know, and I totally believe in God very much. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. The only goal I have now is to get over this sickness and wish I didn't have to be in this situation I am in. My mom kicked me out because she couldn't handle it but that's alright. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Oh wow! That's deep! That's real deep. I could put that into two categories. I might like to be a rabbit or a turtle, because, number one, a turtle has a shell and he can hide when he wants to, you know. He can disappear and leave the world alone. And a rabbit: If I feel like running, I can run, and, plus, I like to eat carrots a lot sometimes. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I've had good ones and bad ones but mainly there's always something there that you can't do or that you're not supposed to do. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I'm a great guy, a good person, you know! Ya'll alright, ya'll good people.

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Malika Moore, 17, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: Going to the flower show downtown with my dad. Food: Seafood and pizza. Drink: Dr. Pepper Color: All neon colors Thing to do: Babysit, track, and hang with friends while shopping. Place in the city: Downtown is pretty cool. Cartoon character: Finn and Jake adventure time. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? California, LA, and because it's really beautiful and always sunny and Justin Bieber lives there. What inspires you? Seeing people go out there to help others, and not look for anything in return. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Long goal is to be successful and happy with whatever I do in life. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be a koala bear. They cute and get to eat all day without being yelled at. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I was at a underground zoo, and there was seethrough pipes with sea creatures in them. And I had to fight a alligator. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I'm a kind and funny person who loves helping people in need.

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Mark Turner, 47, Bloomsberg, PA Best childhood memory: Playing with my train set when I was a kid Food: All! Drink: Mountain Dew and Pepsi Color: Black and yellow Thing to do: Probably smoke weed Place in the city: Love Park Cartoon character: Speed Racer If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Jamaica, and the reason why, all the weed. What inspires you? To tell you the truth, actually nothing inspires me. I just take one day at a time, and that's it. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. My long-term goal is get an apartment; my short-term goal is finding a woman. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I'd say a bear, any kind, cause when I get mad, I got like retarded strength and when I hit, I hit hard. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. You really want me to answer this? The craziest dream I ever had, and I still have 'em every once in a while, is shooting people. Just straight up like a video game like you;re dropped in a zone, no coverage, no nothin', and all you got is a gun with a silencer on it and you just have to walk around and blow people away. That's all you gotta do. You can't get caught by the cops; if they see ya, your game's over. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? That all people, the way they look, the way they dress, are not what they seem to be.

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Nicky Orzhihovsky, 16, Abington, PA Best childhood memory: The day I left my elementary school, Willow Hill Elementary. Food: Homemade chicken noodle soup Drink: Water Color: Lime green Thing to do: Hangout with my friends Place in the city: I haven't explored much, so i would say City Hall. Cartoon character: Tom from Tom and Jerry If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Switzerland, because they are a neutral country and they have a mountainous terrain that i would love to live in. What inspires you? The people who treat others as if they were their own. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Long term: Learn the following instruments: guitar, piano, ,drums, bass. Short-term: raise my 2.9 GPA and get a job. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I'd like to be a cat; it seems like they have very simple and laid back life. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I can barely remember my dreams, sorry.. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I'm not a violent person, and violence is pointless.

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Paul Imburgia, 22, West Chester, PA Best childhood memory: Mimicking Dragon Ball Z or Power Rangers with my friends on the playground. Food: Taco tuesdays! Drink: Definitely beer. Color: Black Thing to do: Making people laugh Place in the city: Alongside the rivers Cartoon character: Dr. Rockso the Rock and Roll C-C-C-Clown If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Somewhere like Scandinavia, somewhere remote and physically beautiful, but close enough to civilization so that when I come out of my hole, I can be social What inspires you? My friends, my family, Iron Maiden What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. In the short term I'd like to just get done this semester and get back to working full-time so I can afford things again. For the long term I'd like to get the fuck out of school by 2015, actually start to pursue photography work, and find living quarters in Philadelphia. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A goat, like a mountain goat. Have some wicked cool horns and not give a shit about gravity. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. The best ones are always the ones I can never remember. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I hardly take anything seriously and would rather not care for an extravagant lifestyle.

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Ritchie Hammond, 60, Pennsylvania Best childhood memory: I had a happy childhood period. Food: Spaghetti with meat sauce Drink: E&J Brandy Color: Maroon Thing to do: Bicycle riding Place in the city: Love Park, I guess; every once and again we get in a festive mood. Cartoon character: Old Top Cat, you guys are too young to remember. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Probably to the wild or something out because it's got room and I don't have to be around a lot of people. What inspires you? At this stage in life, not too much does. I motivate myself. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Sad to say, but I have no goals together. Once again to get permanent housing, maybe a pick-up truck and some money on the side; nothin' big you know. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I'd be a bird. Probably an Eagle. Fly, you know, freedom. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. That's a good question. I think I flipped out and took care of people that did me wrong in my life, like, in one day. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I respect people. I don't start no trouble with nobody. I'm not going to turn the other cheek if something happens. I try to mind my own business and let people be people. No one's perfect.

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Roberto Gonzalez 50, Puerto Rico Best childhood memory: When I wanted to go to school and my father don't let me go to school and put me work. Food: Rice and beans and arroz con gandules, pork and chicken, thats my favorite. Drink: My favorite drink is orange juice and fruit. Color: Black and White Thing to do: Go to church. I haven't find the church I am looking for, Pentecostal church; I haven't find it yet. But I will be happy with that church, that church help me a lot. And I have been saying what everybody doing for me. These people take care of people. When you looking for the help, come in this church, and this church got help; he help me a lot. I have been saying what this church do to me; he help me. I feel like a brother, like a family; you know what I mean? I feel very, very good; thank God I found this place. Place in the city: Here, right here. I feel like a family; you know what I mean? I feel like these people love people. Help people. That's what I need. I need help; I need help. I am coming for Peurto Rico like a month, and nobody help me like these people did. The door's open for me anytime I want to open. When I ask for help, these people never say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Noâ&#x20AC;&#x153;; you know what I mean? I feel that that's my favorite place. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? For now here, but I never seen something that beautiful like, like here. For I finding I lucky. I am finding more good people than bad people; that's good for me. I like that, and I want to see what happens; you know what I mean? And I got to wait and take it easy, and maybe God help me. I know God help me. I got to work for what I want. What inspires you? Finding work, take care of myself. For I'm diabetic. I got problem. My liver is no good; my kidney is no good, too. Though I try to do the more I can and the more I inspires is go to God; you know what I want i don't want to worry that when I am dead I go to God. I got to work for God. I got a lot of work to do with myself, so when I die, I want to go to God. That's the more determination I got, exactly, go to God. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. I want to work. I want my own room next, I want my own studio, my work. I like to be independent. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Lamb. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. The devil used two people when I sleep, and some people doing like this to my bed, and I am sleeping, and he's doing like this to me, and he make a noise zzzzz, and he scaring me like that, and my heart is jajajajaja. I woke up and I go and smoke one cigarette, and you know what I mean? I never fuck with that thing. That's the first time I sees I got that dream, and I never in my life, I never forget my life. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I want to know the people about me is try to find what kind of guy I am. The only way. I can find it, you talk, you talk, and you be good. When I see in your face that you try to deceive me or you lie to me, I don't talk who I am. When I see in your face that you are good guy, and I talked to you everything that I am. I told the truth; the truth is better than the lie.

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Sherrieff McCrae, 24, Baltimore, MD Best childhood memory: Going to Disney World when I was 7, 8 years old. Food: Pizza! I like chucky cheese pizza a lot. Drink: Juice, any type of fruit juice Color: Black and white Thing to do: I'm an artist, so I do a lot of writing for video and audio. Place in the city: Center City, being around the whole shopping area Cartoon character: Goku If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Anywhere in the world, uhh, I believe I would live . . . . I don't know. I guess probably like Miami or somewhere close to the water, the beaches or the Hamptons , big house. What inspires you? God, knowing that I have a savior named Jesus; that's what inspires me to go forward. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. My short-term goal is to start making mini-documentaries, music videos, and, like, photo shoots, and all that within like a year; and my long-term goal is being a super star. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I would be either a lion or a gorilla, just strength and muscle. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Wow. Probably one crazy dream I had, it was like, the world was coming to an end, and there was like droids everywhere, shooting people and all that extra stuff. It was like a war within our city somewhere What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I didnt ask to be homeless, but if you can help me out to better my life or something as far as doing video or audio.

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Steve Grant, Philadelphia, NY, & NC Best childhood memory: Graduating from high school Food: Turkey and cheese sandwiches Drink: Iced tea and beer Color: Blue Thing to do: Sports, all of the above. No golf, no hockey. Place in the city: Center City because it reminds me a lot of Manhattan Cartoon character: Squidward, he's the only reason why I watch. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Philadelphia because I just feel like I belong here. I've been around the world twice, so seen things, done some things, a lot of women, a lot of drinking, a little bit of killin', so . . . . What inspires you? Criticism. I hate when people say I can't do something,; that's my inspiration, that's my motivation. I like proving people wrong because no one belongs, and no one needs to be pigeon-holed. And when I see that come from someone, they have no idea, not just me or anybody, you know. I hate the fact that people want to put people in categories because you have no idea. Like right now you have no idea what you're going to get from me at all. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Short-term goal is easy. To get established here in Philadelphia. To establish at least one or two group homes for military vets with both mental disabilities and some type of chemical dependency problem, be it whatever they choose, pills, alcohol, or drugs. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A penguin. Why not? They're cool. They don't bother nobody. You can't get mad at a penguin now, can you? And nothing bothers them; it can be cold, they can be hungry, and they just stay there. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. The craziest dream I ever had, I was a kid, I was flying like Superman, but I had regular clothes on and it was at night. I'm flying over the ocean and I go into the water. I'm in the water now, I look and there's this humungous whale, and when I looked at him, his eye was about as big as my whole body. It freaked me out, and I woke up. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I know who I am. I refuse to let anybody tell me otherwise. I don't care what you know, who you know, where you been, how much money you got, what color you are, how old you are. I know who I am. The biggest problem in America today. I don't care where you live at, a lot of people just don't know who they are. They want to be the next Li'l Wayne, they want to be the next Donald Trump, they want to be the next Jay-Z, they want to be the next Tyra Banks, they want to be the next damn Beyonce. Who cares? know who you are first. Once you know who you are, everything else comes a whole lot easier, and never let nobody take that away. There's only two things in this country that's free: your pride and your character. Once they incriminate on that, you are actually lost. Don't let nobody tell you who you are. Individuality is a lost art, and I refuse to give it the fuck up.

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Tasha Baker, 33, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: Christmas time Food: I don't discriminate on food; I like everything. Drink: Apple Martinis Color: Black Thing to do: Walk, yeah, I like walking, in Rittenhouse Square and around down there. Place in the city: Rittenhouse Square. I like the park, and we get to see all them nice dogs. Cartoon character: Harlequin If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I probably would live in Paris because I love it there. I've never been there, but that's a place I always wanted to visit, and I have no problem with living there; I would love to live there. What inspires you? Paris, France, inspires me! What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. My goal was to move but now I'm moving next month, so I guess my goal is to stay on my budget. That's all I do. I have goals, and I usually try and utilize that by staying on my budget and being accessible to things that I want. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I probably would be a cat. They're the most friendly animals; they're nice. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. One day, I know I was in my apartment listening to country music. I ended up, I don't know if I can say this, but I was smoking a little bit of wet, and I fell asleep and I dreamt that the whole street was filled with sand. That was the craziest thing I ever dreamed. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I love watching the cooking channel because I used to be a babysitter and I used to entertain people, so now I watch the cooking channel a lot, and I want people to know about me that I'm a good babysitter.

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Thomas Andrews, 51, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: I played basketball all my life, we had a league around the way. My dad and my mom and my grandparents were still living, and we won the championship on me makin' the layup with two seconds left, and I think that was like the happiest day of my life; it was something good for me, made me feel good. Food: Salmon, cooked with olive oil and basil Drink: Alcohol or regular drink? My favorite drink in alcohol is Taylor's Port Wine and basically cranberry juices. Color: Red Thing to do: Right now, I mean cause, like, I just went through a process because my wife got killed in 2009; it was the 27th of March. I'm just trying to, like, I don't want to be in my apartment by myself, so that's why I come out every day. There's a lot of memories. She wasn't here to share that, when I got my apartment. She got killed like two weeks before I moved in, so on a lot of days I come down here and hang out with my squad or go with my son and shoot some basketball, I do things like shoot some pool or some swimming. Basically I started being busy. Place in the city: I like Penn's Landing because they have movie night every Thursday and they show different movies. Go down there and you be under the water where the breeze be. Cartoon character: My man Bugs, man If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Actually, I'm getting ready to leave Philadelphia because I have a section 8 voucher, and I can take my section 8 voucher anywhere in the world. I'm actually moving to Dallas, TX. I have a brother down in Dallas, did 30 years in the Air Force; he has a car dealership, so he said after I get this heart operation, he coming to get me. All my kids are grown; it's time for me to go. There's nothing for me here no more. What inspires you? Really right now what inspires me, I miss my wife so much, but when I think about her, she gets me to get up and go. I just have two other things I need to do before I leave Philly, pay the rest of the money for her stone and have this memorial, and I'll feel that I have done what God has put in my heart to do. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Well, right now one of my short-term goals is before I leave I want to make sure my kids and my grandkids are straight. Go get one of them $100,000 insurance policy and go back and set my own will so I make sure my kids have something. My baby boy is going to become my beneficiary, and I told em y'all gotta come down. I'll come back and visit on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it's just time to relocate. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A bull cause he got horns. I know how I used to be when I was drinking, and I just turned into that bull What is one thing that you want people to know about you? Something good, something bad? One thing, and I might be rushin' myself, I really want to get married again. I was with my wife 22 years, and I need a woman to fill my void as well as me fill her void; but my thing is I can't really marry nobody right now until I get some closure. That's what's really holding me up.

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Tiaza Alicia Hill, 17, New Jersey Best childhood memory: When my grandmother would buy me anything I wanted and we'd go watch the ships on the board walk. Food: Cheesesteaks Drink: Sprite Soda Color: None Thing to do: Hang out with friends Place in the city: South Street Cartoon character: Buttercup from Powerpuff Girls If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Cuba, it's beautiful, and I have strong beliefs Tupac is alive and living there. What inspires you? Seeing other people better themselves. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Short: Graduate High school, get a job, find a hobby. Long: Graduate college, travel, have a family. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Cat. They seem to have such peaceful lives, no worries, carefree. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Up till 13, I used to have this reoccurring dream that I was being carried out our burning apartments and I was wearing a onesy and I was sleep while being carried out. The dream was always the exact same; nothing changed. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? Im always â&#x20AC;&#x153;tripping,â&#x20AC;&#x153; over my social life, self image , sexuality and anything else you could think of, but I always pick my self up and keep it pushing.

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Tony R. Mcilwaune, 54, Philadelphia Best childhood memory: Wow, my best childhood memory..maybe on Easter, I think I was 12, maybe 11 years old, and my mother brought me this yellow dress with this yellow cape, and I went across to the neighborhood church and I sung a song. I don't remember the song, it could have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amazing Graceâ&#x20AC;&#x153;; but I do believe that is the best part of my childhood. Food: Bananas Drink: Green tea, now I love green tea; back then it was different. Color: Red Thing to do: Now that I'm saved, my favorite thing is to read the word. Place in the city: A Starbucks. I love their tea. Cartoon character: Superman If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I'd probably say still Philly even though it brought a lot of pain and stuff; I'd still say Philly. You know what? Since I became an activist out of it, I've been so involved in the political arena. I mean, just City Hall and political officials, courts, and things. I just feel the need to give back and change, especially in Philly cause that's where I was born. What inspires you? I am a lover of Christ so, you know, God inspires me. I met him 13 years ago, and he's my inspiration. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Long-term goal is to tell people my story of homelessness and abuse. I do believe there is a power behind the story, so my long-term goal is to tell the story of where God has brought me from and put that in someone else's heart and just let them know that he is a deliverer. Short-term goal, I never thought about a short-term goal. I guess my daughter getting pregnant soon. That would be a goal, I would be a grandmother. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I think I probably would be a lion. They say that lions are treacherous animals because they're big, but I believe they're just calm at heart. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. I remember I used to live at 18th and Montgomery, and I always used to get up out of the bed and jump on the roof on the second floor, jump to the backyard, and just run. It always used to be dark and I used to just run, run, and it just kept going and kept going. Unfortunately I don't have them anymore, but that was the craziest dream. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? I have a genuine heart and my love and passion for God has just brought me and will take me far. My love for the Lord is more than I want them to know. You know, back then it was a lot of other things. I keep sayin' that, but now it's my love and passion for God.

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Vertceill Sabb, 63, South Philadelphia Best childhood memory: When my mother was there and I was able to do things with her when I was young because my father wasn't around. Food: Fish, salmon. I like em baked Drink: Dunkin Donuts coffee Color: Black Thing to do: Walk . . . around the world Place in the city: Love Park because you come there and meet a lot of people from different parts of life. Cartoon character: Bugs Bunny If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I'd like to go to Rio de Janeiro 'cause I've never been there before and I've heard a lot of good stuff about it. What inspires you? Life, and doing God's will, and showing that there's hope in life and good people instead of people that's negative that seem to cause problems in the world. Prejudice, power and control: let people free themselves and be themselves. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. My goal in life is try to help people help themselves and try to do God's will and try to make their lives better. I'm trying to have a part-time job since I had a stroke and I'm handicapped. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? I'd like to be a dolphin. Why do you think? Dolphins is real smart. Man could learn a lot from a dolphin. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. That I was a worm crawling out of a hole. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? That I'm always available if they need somebody to help or whatever. I'll be there for them. Young or old, it don't matter.

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Victoria Burton, 32, Puerto Rico Best childhood memory: My grandmother. I'd spend time with her until she passed away in 2002. A bad memory, but good. Always loved her, and she'll always be in my heart. Food: Rice and beans Drink: Alcohol, vodka and orange juice Thing to do: Go party! Place in the city: None. I hate it, I want to go back to my hometown. Cartoon character: Too many If you could live anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Puerto Rico because my mom lives over there. What inspires you? I want to be a true mother again. I want my kids to come back to me. I want to be the best mother in my life. I wish my grandma was back in my life. I wish my whole family was back together. What are some of your goals? Long-term and/or short-term. Get out of Philadelphia! Get out of the dangerous and welcome to the real world. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A monkey! They climb trees and eat bananas. Tell me about the craziest dream you have ever had. Jump off the cliff. It's a sad dream. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? The real me. Who I am, what do I do. How long I've been in Philadelphia and how old I am, the real me.

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The Gathering On April 24th, 2014 a group of people from many different walks of life got together at the Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia to share food and stories and dress up for a photoshoot celebrating humanity. Some of the people are currently homeless, some came from homelessness, others are high school or college students. All of us have one thing in common,: we are all human.. With the help of volunteers, clothes, food, and other supplies were gathered for the comfort and enjoyment of the models. The Arch Street United Methodist Church opened their doors and their hearts to us, allowing us to use their space and even their shower for those who wanted to. People were invited to come in, to eat, and to get comfortable.. Those who wanted or needed clothes could browse the wardrobe and take anything they desired. A shower was available, along with toiletries and an electric razor, commodities that are not always availabble to those without a home. I had spoken previously with many people and told them about my idea for this book; others were informed on arrival of the photoshoot and interviews. An overwhelming majority were enthusiastic about the project and agreed to be photographed,. As people left the church, they spread the word in and around Love Park about the photoshoot, food, and clothes.

Opposite photo: (LINA MILLER)

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(ALISA MILLER) Alisa and Nada Miller prepare chili for the photo shoot late on the night of April 11, 2014. George Miller and Nicky Orzhihovsky prepared sandwiches the following morning at the church.

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Word of the event was spread by mouth to people around Center City. (HARRISON BRINK)

George Miller and Nicky Orzhihovsky prepared sandwiches at the church. (HARRISON BRINK) 68

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Lucky Helen and Alisa Miller get to know each other. (HARRISON BRINK)

Malika Moore and Tiaza Hill came to volunteer on the day of the event.(HARRISON BRINK) Miller

David Crawley, Jr., inspects clothes that were donated for the event. (HARRISON BRINK)

Alisa Miller and Ana Dekker meet to take a photograph and quickly form a blossoming friendship. (HARRISON BRINK) 70

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Interviews were conducted in a seperate room by Harrison and Paul. (HARRISON BRINK)

Alisa Miller and Tasha Baker review photographs (HARRISON BRINK)

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Diann Rollins serenades us with her beautiful piano playing. (HARRISON BRINK)

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