Tom Sitting in Front of His One Room Cabin, Southwest Side, Detroit 2014
Tom built this cabin on a stretch of land that borders the Detroit river. He's been living here now for the past 12 years off the grid. He used to be homeless but I don't think you can call him that anymore.
Rachel, Pine Street, Corktown, Detroit 2014
Rachel in her recently refurbished B&B rental apartment.
Neighborhood Fireworks on the 4th of July, Goldengate Street, Detroit 2014
This street is located in one of the most blighted neighborhoods of Detroit, but residents still can come together and have a good time. They were having a friendly competition with neighbors down the street where each successive firework got bigger and bigger.
Occupied Abandoned Building, Midtown, Detroit 2014
This abandoned building was currently being used and lived in by four homeless men. With no city garbage service, trash begins to build up and create a health hazard.
Tommy, Midtown, Detroit 2014
Tommy is one of four men who were living in an abandoned building. After his girlfriend passed away, he couldn't afford their apartment anymore and had to move out. He had been homeless for three month until he met three other men who were living together in this building. It's temporary he says, until he can find a job. He used to be a bus driver.
Outdoor Church Service, Eastside, Detroit 2010
A group gathers together as a pastor holds an outdoor service in order to attract people in the neighborhood.
Glen Working on His House, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Glen has lived in this camper trailer for the past eight years without running water or electricity. He kept a meticulously manicured yard and decorated it with handmade sculptures. Sadly, he passed away in February of 2015 from a fire caused by a faulty kerosene heater he used to heat his trailer. Many in the neighborhood who saw him as a gentle, eccentric man who expressed individualism will miss him dearly.
Cynthia Preparing for Easter Dinner, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Tirrelle, Black Bottom Cuts Barbershop, Chene Avenue, Detroit 2014
Tirrelle Giving a Trim and Haircut, Black Bottom Cuts Barbershop, Chene Avenue, Lower Eastside, Detroit 2014
Tirrelle operates the Black Bottom Cuts Barbershop which is the only commercial storefront business along the mile and a half stretch of Chene Avenue that is still open for business.
Michelle, Community Organizer, Detroit 2014
Michelle volunteers for "Detroit Soup", a small organization that offers mini-grants by having pot-luck dinners where people donate money to have dinner. Four people are invited to make proposals that improve their neighborhood and then the group votes at the end of the dinner. The group with the highest votes get all the money raised during the night to support their cause. There is one dinner each month at different locations throughout the city. Here is a link: http://detroitsoup.com
Arthur in His Candy Shop, Mexicantown, Southwest Side, Detroit 2014
Arthur, a felon who served time in prison for assault was a model prisoner, but after being released had a hard time finding a job because of his record so he opened this little candy store two years ago with the help of his girlfriend. The shop gives people in the neighborhood a place to go and hang out while also providing basic, non-perishable necessities.
Interior, Bill's Recreation Pool Hall, 3525 3rd Ave., Detroit 2014
This is in the back section of the pool hall. The wall above the table has mostly funeral announcements posted that honor past members of the club.
Pete and Cole, Poletown, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Tonya and Duce, Goldengate Street, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Jasmine, Conner Avenue, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Items of Clothing Left on a Fence, East Warren Ave., Detroit 2014
Interior View, Jack's Barbershop, East Canfield Street, Detroit 2014
Melvin, Heidelberg Street, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Mark Covington and His Son Mark Anthony, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Mark is the founder of the Georgia Street Community Garden, one of the largest community efforts that help anyone who would like to have fresh vegetables for free. It's a lot more than just a garden though. See here - http://www.georgiastreetcc.com
Memorial, Eastside, Detroit 2014
An unusual memorial in that each item is separated and occupies a space of its own.
Rochelle and Shawn, Eastside, Detroit 2014
Pregnant and due any day, Rochelle contemplates the many changes that her life will take after the baby is born.