They were huddled together against the stone wall on the sidewalk along Powell Street, holding a sign but barely making eye contact with the passerbys. The first time I walked by them, I sensed their isolation. As I circled back, they looked up and our eyes met. I kneeled down and we began to talk. I asked them if they’ve heard of $2 Portraits; they had not. After explaining the project and telling them since they were two, I’d give them $4, they readily agreed to participate. The ensuing story is one not previously encountered in almost 4 years of doing this project.
Tomas & Tara, 24 and 21 years old respectively, are originally from New York and have been in San Francisco for 6 months. Tara then told me she just had a baby on the 17th. I thought she had said August 17th. She corrected me…she gave birth 4 days ago. I was floored…but skeptical. Pictures of them with their baby convinced me otherwise.
Tomas & Tara moved to SF with the understanding that friends of theirs were going to let them share their apartment. Once they arrived however, their friends recanted and they were left without a place to live. They usually found shelter but Tara said it was a tough pregnancy roughing it on the street.
Tomas & Tara’s baby is still in the hospital, perfectly healthy except for some jaundice caused by different blood types between mother and child. The baby will be released on Saturday and fortunately they have found a shelter to live in. They are alone in San Francisco, no friends…no family…but have an optimism about them that was surprising. They talked about lots of resources in San Francisco to help folks in their situation get on their feet. Tomas is looking for a job - he’s a certified auto mechanic. Tara worked as a dental assistant and has a 2 year Associates business degree. I asked if they considered moving back to New York to be with family. Tomas said his mother is working and has his two teenaged siblings at home and they all live below the poverty level; no help there. They didn’t talk about other family as being options.
Tomas & Tara were grateful for the conversation and very thankful when I gave them $20 instead of $4. Tears welled up in Tara’s eyes when she said they had to get some clothes for the baby and this would help. I wished them luck, told them I hoped not to encounter them again on the street and then walked away very sad.
Taken 1/21/15
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