Ken

“Spread a little love, brother” was the chant that attracted my attention.  I turned to find him sitting on the sidewalk cup in hand, looking for some help.  I asked him if he would participate in the $2 Portrait project and he readily agreed.

Ken will be 59 years old on Valentine’s Day.  He was born in New York but moved to San Francisco at age 11.  Ken worked many years in maintenance jobs for several school districts and then became a short-order cook.  He had some major surgery and is now disabled; so regular employment is difficult for him.  Up until a short time ago, Ken was shining shoes for his livelihood.  He told me that his shoe shine kit was stolen because he failed to lock it up one night while having some beers with his buddies.  Now he’s panhandling trying to get enough money to replace his kit.  Ken lives with his mother in Oakland and was thankful he didn’t have to search for shelters.

I gave Ken $2 and he wished me a happy new year.  We shook hands as I departed and he struck up his chant once again…”spread a little love, brother.”

Taken 1/8/15