Gretchen Who is Trying to Recover Faces Displacement

photos by Jose Olivares

Gretchen James, 40, a recovering alcoholic, domestic abuse victim, and pain pill addict has been living for half a year in a rental unit on the 600 block of Lake street in downtown Reno, paid for by a local rehab program.

Gretchen James is staying positive even though she faces displacement from a block with affordable rents, which is about to be demolished to give way to high end student housing. Photo by Jose Olivares

James gets $550 from the program which is what she is paying in rent for her unit, utilities and furniture included. She says it took her several months to find it, and that here, she’s found the friends and strength to finally stay sober. But the unit is part of an old house scheduled to be demolished later this year to give way to high end student housing.

The old house where James is renting has some of the most affordable prices in downtown Reno and is conveniently close to the main bus station. Photo by Jose Olivares

“I’m really worried about it,” James said on a recent Sunday afternoon, while smoking a cigarette on a creaky porch, while other residents filed out for afternoon walks. “It’s putting us in a lurch. I don’t think we should all be kicked out. Right now, I have no idea when I’m going to have to look for another place. I’m a convicted felon, and there’s a lot of places that won’t take felons.”

A graffiti on the block set for demolition reads "The Struggle's Real". Many current residents said they heard about the plan for student housing in the newspaper.  Photo by Jose Olivares. — A graffiti on the block set for demolition reads "The Struggle's Real". Many current residents said they heard about the plan for student housing in the newspaper. Photo by Jose Olivares.

James says the price and the location of her unit near Reno’s bus station works well for her, as she also gets a bus pass to go to her different service providers.

A Very Difficult Past

James spent 15 months in prison in the state in 2011 and 2012 for altering a prescription for Oxycontin. She says she then ‘violated’ her parole when she tried to commit suicide by mixing alcohol and Ambien.

After that, she bounced around different rehab programs in Reno and lived in the women’s homeless shelter in Reno for a while.

James is trying hard to get her life back on track, but says the forthcoming displacement will be a serious challenge.  Photo by Jose Olivares — James is trying hard to get her life back on track, but says the forthcoming displacement will be a serious challenge. Photo by Jose Olivares

Hard Times at the Women's Homeless Shelter

“There’s lots of stealing in there,” James said. “You can’t have any nice things or money or anything like that. We had lockers but if you have anything out on the bed and don’t think about it, it’s gone. When you live in the shelter you get street smart, you learn to survive.”

A view of the old home where James and other current residents live, scheduled to be bulldozed away.

Out of a Job, But in Rehab and Still Hopeful

James lost her most recent job at a phone survey company due to health problems. She is bipolar, and still suffers from depression and severe anxiety. She has weak ankles, but is avoiding pain medication. James has a degree in office medical technology and hopes to get a clerical job. She also wants to get another degree.

What drives her to remain positive, she says, is seeing her three kids again, who live with her estranged husband, elsewhere in Nevada.

Hoping to See Her Kids Again

“I want to see my kids and if I relapse, then it’s not happening, it’s not worth it to me. I already went to prison and basically, my husband, he was abusive anyway, so it’s probably a good thing we’re not together, but basically, I haven’t seen them for five-six years. If I drink or do drugs, I’m going to lose them and then it’s just a matter of when you live in the shelter a couple of times, you just get a kind of a will .”

The block of old homes with affordable rentals scheduled to be bulldozed away is close to lots of services and the bus station.

Fighting for Custody and Her Life

James has a pro bono lawyer helping her out try to get custody of her children. But she’s afraid being forced out of her current unit will turn her life upside down, just as she’s trying so hard to get her life back on track. She says on this block there are many other stories just as difficult as hers

Another home on the cutting block.  James says a lot of elderly resident live on the block, and will also be in a lurch to find rentals at similar prices, after they are displaced. — Another home on the cutting block. James says a lot of elderly resident live on the block, and will also be in a lurch to find rentals at similar prices, after they are displaced.

Kyle, Looking for a Fresh Start

photo and interview by Dani Rawson

“My family’s not here, I’m getting a divorce right now. Now I’m just on my own. I’ve got a buddy who’s going through the same thing right now and we’re about to get a place together, just to start fresh you know? I’m not a deadbeat dad yet. I am sti… — “My family’s not here, I’m getting a divorce right now. Now I’m just on my own. I’ve got a buddy who’s going through the same thing right now and we’re about to get a place together, just to start fresh you know? I’m not a deadbeat dad yet. I am still going to take care of my kids. Always going to take care of my kids.”

Angela, a teenager homeless on the streets with Rose, her service dog

photos and interview by Jose Olivares

“I’ve been homeless off and on for seven years… I grew up with my mom when I was younger and she got back on drugs. I then moved in with my dad who was abusive, so I would sleep outside.”

Angela Joyce is 19 years old and has been homeless since she was 12. She is currently experiencing homelessness with Rose, her service dog, and Travis, her fiancée.

Rose, her service dog, has been assisting and keeping Angela company while she lives on the street.

On Being Homeless and Having a Service Dog: “It’s been hard, especially now with my service dog. No one understands what it’s like to be homeless and have a service animal. For the last—almost two months—I’ve been sleeping on one of those plastic chairs and she sleeps on the floor. She's been very loving.“

“I have PTSD because my biological dad, when I did stay at his house—he used to be physically and mentally abusive. When I get anxiety attacks, I black out. So [Rose] wraps her leash around me and pins me to the ground so I don’t walk out into traff… — “I have PTSD because my biological dad, when I did stay at his house—he used to be physically and mentally abusive. When I get anxiety attacks, I black out. So [Rose] wraps her leash around me and pins me to the ground so I don’t walk out into traffic.”

Her Fiancee

Angela’s fiancée, Travis has recently started working in order to get them back on their feet. According to Angela, she’s known Travis since she was only four years old. She would make chocolate chip cookies with her Easy-Bake oven for him. They recently met up again and have been together since.

“Homelessness doesn’t mean heartlessness. We’re still people. Just because you have a fancy house, doesn’t mean anyone can get it that easy.”

On Being Young and Homeless: “[Being young and homeless] is hard because you can’t go anywhere without being noticed. I’m only 19 so I can’t sit in the casinos. I can’t sit at the bus station because there’s a time limit and it’s cold out.”

On Helping Others: Whenever she has an extra plate of food, she makes sure to give it away: “Why have more than I need when someone else has less?”

Her Dreams of a Future Home

Although her present situation may be grim, Angela looks to the future with positivity and hope. “In the end, I’ll be able to sleep knowing that it’s not going to last forever. Working hard, I know I’m going to get somewhere.” Angela smiles as she thinks of her future home. “I love to cook, I can’t wait to cook.”

Photos and Interview by Jose Olivares

Reno residents and old homes on the Cutting Block

Two of the residents from the downtown Reno block between Center and Lake streets which will soon be bulldozed away walk through an alley which will also be gone. The red dotted trees will also be cut down, to give way for high end student housing.

A father of nine plays dominoes online with his friend who is in prison from his cracked smartphone, while his youngest sons scramble onto a sidewalk on Center street lined with broken glass.

A small home with a basement made of river rock is one of the homes on the cutting block.

A homeless man who says he got kicked out of the city’s main shelter after a fight scavenges through a trash bin in the alley.

Trees have red dots on them, seemingly indicating these will be cut down, while the old homes have no trespassing signs.

A young woman knocks on a door saying she is looking to get inside her friend’s place to take a shower, even though she says his unit is full of cockroaches.

A casino workers sits on his stoop smoking a cigarette, saying it’s nice to live downtown, close to his work and the bus station, but that at night, drunks, low-level criminals and drug addicts come through.

Some of the nicer looking rental units are also doomed for demolition, giving way to high end student housing.

A few elderly women hurriedly scatter out of old dilapidated, pastel colored homes to walk their dogs.

Friends who are going through rehab and live in units next to each other hug on a creaky porch, with no trespassing signs all around them.

Several rehab patients live in this old home, helping each other stay sober while taking nearby buses to service providers.

There are no signs though indicating all these residents will soon have to move.

The entire block, old houses, some small, some palatial in their day, as well as several quaint apartment buildings, adorned with flags, and rows of neat mailboxes, will soon be bulldozed away. A massive apartment building is being planned on the entire block between Sixth and Seventh streets and Center and Lake streets. Majestic trees all have red dots on them, seemingly indicating they will soon be cut down.

This downtown neighborhood with its broken white fences and very affordable housing will soon have more expensive, gleaming high rise student housing.

Reports indicate the new student high rise, high end housing will have a rooftop pool and an indoor golf simulator, continuing the trend of turning the university journey into a more expensive country club experience.

The demolition could begin as soon as this Summer, but most current residents say they haven’t been given official notice. Some say they expect some bonus rent money. The casino worker says his landlord has promised to move him to a nearby location at a similar price.

A change of address will soon be needed for current residents who pay between $500 and $600 a month to live in the soon to be demolished downtown neighborhood, including utilities.

Most current residents say they are paying between $500 to $600 including utilities, and that it will be very difficult for them to find affordable rentals close to the downtown services they rely on. Some say their landlord doesn’t do much upkeep, but that he’s lenient when payments are late. Others say it’s one of the few blocks, where, even if you have a criminal record and very bad credit, you can still rent.

A Renoite wonders where all the people will go. Dozens and dozens of residents, from students, to families, to old retirees, currently live in this downtown Reno block set for demolition.

The father of nine, who struggles to make ends meet with carpentry jobs, says his little house has a great backyard play area, and a basement made up of river rock from the Truckee river. He’s not sure the student housing will have such history. He also know his current family play area will be gone.

Memories of this old house will remain, but not its physical structure.

Where will these families, residents barely making enough to get by, patients currently in rehab go to live when and if the block does get demolished? What about the old homes and the old trees which will be bulldozed away? Is this our town Reno?

Stephen Walker, A Homeless Vet with PTSD

photo and interview by Marina Princeau in downtown Reno

"I have PTSD and I am trying to fight for my disability. Eventually I would like to be a 49er NFL football coach."

Change and Loss

by Deborah Achtenberg

(Deborah Achtenberg has lived in Reno since 1982 and blogs at Seeing Reno. Last Saturday, she visited the area between Lake and Center streets and Sixth and Seventh streets--soon to be the site of The Standard at Reno, a privately owned housing unit for students.)

What do we lose when we bulldoze a neighborhood?

A usable past. The elegance of a bygone era, for example. From it, we dream of elegance for a new one.

And, a place to live. People live in the neighborhood! One man, who wouldn't let me photograph him, said he'll be homeless.

The Standard at Reno, a privately owned development, will be there soon instead, providing high-rise, high-end housing for students. The national corporation that is building it likely will sell it quickly at a profit.

Change involves loss, of course--but for whom? And how is loss allocated? Who has a right to a home? And who has a right to the city?

"Accent", a Street Mentor for Homeless Youths

Photo and Interview by Dani Rawson

Thrown Out on the Streets

“I was 13 when I was thrown out in the streets of Reno. My mom she was a bit of a crackhead, she died four and a half years ago, today. In those types of situations when you're 13 and on the streets there’s not much much to do but try to survive."

14 Years Later

"I am 27 now and I’ve been doing this for 15 years, but I am always keepin' my head up high…I try to take care of the little people, the kids that don't have a place to go or are angry at their parents. I’ve put a lot of countless hours into these kids out here. To become a public figure to these kids, it really means a lot because not a lot of these kids have a figure to look up to."

Helping Homeless and At-Risk Kids

"Some of these kids parents are too far into drugs or are to worried about their work to teach them something. And I’ve kind of made it my mission to make them [the homeless youth] to look at me and say “You know, if Accent did it this way, then maybe we can do it that way and maybe get somewhere” That's all I’m trying to do. Doing it for the kids who have no one to go to, no one to talk to."

A Mission in Life

"I made it my mission to do that [be a figure]. I don't want to see this kids out here when they are older. I want to see them accomplishing great things, going to college, to do whatever they want to do. A lot of people forget about these kids out here and I want them not to forget.”

Photo and Interview by Dani Rawson

"Hobo", the Truckee River and his Rock Sculptures

Photo and Story by Camille Loustalet

Hobo was making a rock sculpture on a big rock in the Truckee river in February 2016. Photo by Camille Loustalet

Cypress Reed, or "Hobo" as he prefers to be called, manages to stack rocks into amazing forms using only balance.

His rock sculptures are scattered along and within the Truckee river in Reno.

Reed lives in a motor home parked by the river and makes his living selling rock fixtures for private collections. He also holds public events of his rock art during which donations for homeless people are encouraged.

A Roaming Rock Artist

Reed says he will only be in Reno for the rest of the year, and after that he plans to visit three cities each year to add his art to.

He plans to go south eventually, but says he believes cities further northwest like Portland or Seattle would truly appreciate his art. Reed says there is an energy in the rocks and river -- in his words, the animals all transferring their energy east- what he calls their "happy place."

Tommy, From Abuse, Drugs and Homelessness To A Bright Future

(Note: This interview was done last year at the Eddy House's Yosemite Place, which has since closed, but will reopen with a new model soon. The Yosemite Place, run by Lynette and Brian Eddy, offered a safe place in Reno for young men transitioning out of the foster care system.)

In a few short years, Tommy has gone from getting helped to now helping others.

Tommy, who moved from Oakland to the Reno area when he was 6, was abused as a child, and entered the foster care system when he was 13. After aging out of foster care, though, Tommy had more access to drugs than food, and ended up homeless, taking even more drugs not to fall asleep. The Eddy House, run by Lynette and Brian Eddy, saved him, giving him a place to live and also places to work. He is now back in school, working toward a future as a social worker, to give back to down spiraling kids, who he is says, just need a little help to fulfill their promise.

Tommy returns from class last year to his job at the Eddy House, where he helped others having difficulties aging out of foster care.

More Drugs than Food

“I had quite a few drug problems, quite a few, and I had really had nothing. At one point, the only electricity I had in my apartment was running from an extension cord from my neighbor’s apartment. It was pretty bad. I had no food, I never had money. I know money isn’t everything but it definitely helps. When I was in that spot, I never thought I’d be where I am today. When you’re on that downward spiral it’s hard to realize you are on a downward spiral.”

At one point, a few years ago, Tommy stole electricity from a neighbor's house, had no money whatsoever and then became homeless.

On Becoming Homeless:

“A few nights, I actually had nowhere to stay. I didn’t want to sleep outside so I used drugs not to sleep, so for quite a few nights actually, I was just up and roaming around with nowhere to go, no one to talk to and a really scary part of my life looking back on it, but I’m out of it now. ”

Tommy with Brian Eddy made sure kids having a difficult transition from foster care started making better decisions.

On Turning His Life Around:

“A few decisions with a few good people who are there to support you and help you is all you need really. I know I have a future. It’s motivating. Before I had nothing to look forward to, but now I have a goal that every day you just get closer to.”

Brian Eddy took part in an outreach effort for homeless kids last year in Reno

On the Importance of Reaching out to At-Risk Kids:

“When you age out of foster care, you don’t have anyone to depend on. As former foster kids, we don’t trust a lot of people. We’ve been let down by people we trusted the most. I feel like the younger kids, they need a good social worker, they can trust. I know a lot of homeless kids seem hopeless but they’re really not. All it takes is just a good person to step into their life. You don’t even have to involve yourself that much. All you have to do is offer just a little bit of help. It’s not hard to change their lives. It’s not hard at all. I was one of them.”

Lynette Eddy sits in front of the You, a resource center for at-risk, runaway and homeless kids which opened last year.

On Lynette Eddy

"You can be having the worst day, and just her presence alone just lifts your spirits. The things she’s doing is so selfless. It’s really beautiful. You don’t find a lot of people like that.”

Nathan, Evicted and In Debt

Nathan at the Eddy House Yosemite Place last year.

(Note: This interview was done last year at the Eddy House's Yosemite Place, which has since closed, but will reopen with a new model soon. The Yosemite Place, run by Lynette and Brian Eddy, offered a safe place in Reno for young men transitioning out of the foster care system. Nathan was one of the young men living there.)

Reno-raised, Nathan, at the time of the interview, had recently been evicted from his apartment, and was trying to go back to college, even though he was in debt. He wants to get a degree in business management, and also hopes to study psychology and social work.

Healthy living was encouraged for Nathan and others at the Eddy House Yosemite Place, a place for young adults having difficulty aging and transitioning out of foster care.

Nathan was in and out of the foster care system since he was 10, and when he aged out, he says he “let things get out of hand.” “I’m digging myself out of a hole that I’m in right now. I’ve got to move forward and do positive things," he added.

Nathan on Lynette Eddy: “She’s awesome, she’s loving, she’s caring.  She’s always making sure we’re staying out of trouble, going to work, going to school, doing something productive. She loves us.” — Nathan on Lynette Eddy: “She’s awesome, she’s loving, she’s caring. She’s always making sure we’re staying out of trouble, going to work, going to school, doing something productive. She loves us.”

The Coat Drive at the Morris Burner Hotel

photos and interviews by Lindy Z (Linda Zecchino)

The Morris Burner Hotel holds a weekly Sunday afternoon clothes and shoes donation drive for those most in need.

All Star: "I’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I STARTED HELPING OUT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND DOING THE OUTREACH PROJECTS RIGHT ABOUT THE EXACT TIME WHEN I FIRST CAME TO RENO."

The Morris Burner Hotel is located on historic Fourth street in downtown Reno, right in the middle of many service providers for the city's homeless population.

Shinobi (in red coat) who used to be homeless in Los Angeles, now helps the homeless in Reno through his involvement with the Morris Burner Hotel. Listen to his audio interview below:

Photos and interviews by Lindy Z (Linda Zecchino) for Our Town Reno, February 2016

Daniel, aka "Spacegod Wavvy", Transitioning to a Better Future

Daniel dreams of one day becoming a fashion designer in Europe. (Photo taken last year at the Eddy House)

(Note: This interview was done last year at the Eddy House's Yosemite Place, which has since closed, but will reopen with a new model soon. The Yosemite Place, run by Lynette and Brian Eddy, offered a safe place in Reno for young men transitioning out of the foster care system. Daniel was one of the young men living there.)

Inspirational messages lined the walls of the Eddy House.

Daniel moved to the Reno area from San Francisco when he was 8, but as his parents separated his life took some very difficult turns. Daniel suffered from drug and alcohol abuse during his teen years. His mother passed away recently, sending him into an even more difficult spiral. Art has always been a salvation for him, and he dreams of one day becoming a fashion designer in Europe. At the time of the interview, he worked the graveyard shift at a Walmart, but spent some of his spare time painting sneakers with pop culture designs. His nickname comes from his afro, his natural energy and his abilities at video games.

Daniel plays video games with Brian Eddy at the Eddy House's Yosemite Place.

On His Difficult Path: “I got into the foster care system due to drinking, alcoholism. I used to be into drugs when I was in high school. Once I got out of foster care and got into independent living it was just hard. I’d never been through that. That’s why I came back to the Eddy House. I looked for help and I sought guidance. I just knew it was the right thing for me to do.”

On His Mom : “I wasn’t able to get reunited with my mom unfortunately. I feel like she’s happy that I’m happy. It was a real 360. The Eddy House they changed a lot for me and I thank them. Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while.”

Lynette and Brian Eddy help with dinner at the Eddy House.

On Lynette and Brian Eddy: “If there were more people like Lynette and Brian? It would be different. They’re very helpful, loving and positive. They love to make change. They enjoy when they see someone else succeed. If more people got into that, they would feel more at ease. There’s a lot of kids who need role models and guidance to help them. Without them, I’d be lost.”

His shoe art combines pop culture references from television shows and video games.

On His Own Art and Dreams: “I want to be a European fashion designer eventually. I’ve always been in love with shoes. So I just decided to take my art to a different canvas. Hopefully, it will lead to something in the future. I’m rising now. My dream in the fashion game is to make custom designs for celebrities, anybody, presidents… I just love for people wearing what I create.”

Daniel says he knows a lot of youths dealing with homelessness and tries to help out.

On the Importance of Helping Others: “The youth is our future and there’s a lot of kids right now that don’t have anything. They’ve been dealt a bad hand and they are just trying to reverse it and get a better outcome. If you have something to look forward to, it makes life worth the adventure. Since I grew up with homeless kids, I want to redirect them. I got helped. I was about to be homeless if I wasn’t here. You can get back on track, you can get going, get a job, get a house, and you can also help others.”

Jesse F., A Survivor Who Gives Back

Video and interviews by UNR Student Carrie Farley

Jesse F. is a survivor of domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol addiction, the foster care system and occasional homelessness. A proud single mother, she is now back on her feet, working, at school, and giving back to the Reno/Sparks community.

Jesse F. gets emotional when she thinks about her past, and considers herself blessed to be where she is today.

On Her Present and Future: "I'm going to be a social worker. Realistically with the things that I've been through, the things I've done in my life, I should not be where I am today. I have a car, I have a home, I have a job, I'm in school. I'm a single mother to a beautiful two-year-old and I shouldn't have any of it.

Breaking the cycle: Jesse is a great mother, who is creating a safe space for her child, breaking the cycle of domestic abuse which was prevalent in her family growing up.

Why She Wants To Help Others: "Now, I want to help people just like me because it was very, very dark and very hard for me to be where I'm at now. Unfortunately, not a lot of people can say the same thing that I can, and now with what I am doing, I can help."

Watch Jesse's video profile below.

Video by Carrie Farley for the Reynolds School of Journalism at UNR.

A Special Place: Jesse F. has a favorite rock along the Truckee river, where she used to sleep sometimes, and likes to think about her life.

Her Favorite Place: "This rock is really special to me. Not only have I slept here quite a few times, I have made some of the most life-changing decisions right here. I decided to stop drinking here. I decided that I should focus on school. I decided I should finally call the police on my parents. And it all took place right here."

David Smith, Out of Work, Homeless and Injured

Photos and Interview by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Smith, a 19-year resident of our community, is homeless because he doesn't have a job. He sometimes gets work in construction during warmer months, but he's had health problems, dealing with ruptured disks in his back.

On our community: "People have good hearts. They tolerate us. Some people don't.... If we don't have greed in front of us and we help each other then everything should be allright."

Photo and Interview by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

On city leaders: "I think they need to make a place, not just the homeless shelter, where people can be safe, where they can camp."

On his health problems: "You can save your money, put it into a bank account for 20 years and have it wiped out in a second due to medical problems. That's what you have to understand. You can have a life and be on your feet and not be homeless your whole life and then have something wipe you out."

Photo by Jose Olivares in downtown Reno, January 2016

On sticking together: "If you don't have friends and you don't have a lot of family that starts another set of parameters. Then you're dealing with people who don't know you and that's when you start having issues... We're a community. Everything in this community, one thing will affect everything else. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. We just need to deal with it."

Nick, Devoted to Helping Homeless Youths in Reno

Nick Tscheekar is the Initiatives Director with the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Photo by Jose Olivares

Last fall, Nick, a 2014 UNR graduate, helped coordinate the Streetsmart 4 Youth Restaurants program which raised $14,000 to help homeless youths in the Reno area. The money was distributed to the Children’s Cabinet, the Eddy House, Planned Parenthood, the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality, and the Sierra Association of Foster Families. With the new year upon us, Our Town Reno wanted to find out more about what Nick was doing and planning to help homeless youths in Reno. This includes coordinating a new mentorship program. Listen to Nick's interview with Our Town Reno's Nico Colombant or read excerpts here to find out more.

Outside Nick's offices in downtown Reno. photo by Jose Olivares

What do you do exactly at the Foundation?

We connect people who care with causes that matter so we work with a lot of donors and connect them with different philanthropic causes they’re passionate about. The other area of our work is with community initiatives, which is more specifically what I do. Since early 2014, we’ve been doing our Youth Network Initiative and that’s a community project addressing needs of youth who are homeless or runaways or aging out of the foster care system.

Last year, Nick sat at "The Circle" in downtown Reno during a 48-hour living on the street activist event as part of outreach efforts with at-risk youths.

What is your personal motivation to do this type of work?

I’ve always been interested in community development work but I didn’t really know about the issues with youth homelessness in Reno. Once I started looking more into it, and when I saw there were over 3,000 students who are homeless in the Washoe County School District that was something I wanted to get involved with.

Nick works with colleague Camille Glanzmann at the Foundation on homeless youth issues.  Photo by Jose Olivares. — Nick works with colleague Camille Glanzmann at the Foundation on homeless youth issues. Photo by Jose Olivares.

Can you tell us more about the homeless youth problem in our area?

Youths who are homeless they tend to stay in groups and I think a lot of them, the main reason why they are invisible is they don’t want to be seen. It could be they are minors and that if they are caught that could mean being put back into the system, if they were in foster care, and they’re trying to avoid that. There are (also) issues of incarceration, so really they just want to blend in as much as possible.

Nick and other activists slept by the river in the cold as part of the 48-hour outreach. Many homeless youths avoid sleeping at night or find very hidden places.

Does your work sometimes break your heart?

Absolutely, it is heartbreaking... The one thing it really relates to is a person’s privilege. For many of these youths. it’s not that they’re lazy, that they’re not hard working but perhaps they didn’t come from a good family, or they are victims of abuse. If they had been given the same opportunity as myself or other people, they wouldn’t be in this situation. I think sometimes what it comes down to is the luck of the draw.

Nick says homeless youths often avoid shelter areas or free food distributions to avoid becoming victims of older homeless.

A New Mentorship Program

I’m talking to a lot of youths and looking at where there are gaps in the system and mentoring is something that’s highly valued. Many of the youths would like to have a mentor. Upon researching the reality of mentoring agencies, many of them have a shortage of mentors. So we recently created a new website called NevadaMentors.Org. That’s designed for prospective mentors to look and see what opportunities are available, what suits their interest because it can be somewhat difficult to find the opportunities that are available if they want to help a vulnerable young person.

Why is it so important to help homeless youths?

I think it’s probably one of the biggest issues in our community. For many of these youths right now they are still at a point when they can turn their lives around if given the proper network of people, the right opportunities and resources but if we ignore it and they continue along that same path they can end up becoming chronically homeless and that puts a lot of future social and economic burdens on our community later on.

Hector, the Activist: "I'm a Solutionary"

Hector is among the community activists who helped the homeless at a now fenced-off tent city in Reno, NV.

On being an activist: "What drives me is my family, my community, my people out here. Things should be different and I'm not a complainer. I'm a doer so I go out in the field, making sure everyone is alright, and doing something and coming up with solutions. That's what I am, a solutionary. I like to change things. There's a lot of stuff happening but no solutions."

Hector is one of the volunteer activists who help organize healthy food distribution around Reno for those most in need.

On listening to the homeless: "We want to hear their voice. I think that's what's important, not what we have to say but the voices of the people and the stories of the people out here. We are giving food and clothes, building a comunnity. We are trying to find solutions instead of saying, 'oh, just leave, get a job like the rest of us'."

Hector says cell phones have changed the way activists can organize and protect themselves.

On the importance of cell phones for community activists: "Police target our community, black and brown mostly, but it happens to poor white people too. It happens out here all the time. We film the police just to make sure everything is ok. Cell phones are a big tool. We can organize and mobilize on cell phones and we can also catch video. Every time I see police, I just film anytime I can just to make sure I'm ok, everyone else is ok and that's our right."

Hector sets up music before a food and clothes distribution community effort begins at a now fenced-in former tent city in Reno.

On how police should change: "They need to be out here with services to the people, rather than harassing. Catch the killers, catch the real criminals, catch someone doing corporate corruption. Out here, we are just trying to survive. People are just trying to live."

Activists reach out with healthy food and conversation at a now fenced-off former tent city in Reno.

On the dangers of gentrification: "I don't think it's good for all these new businesses to come in here downtown, and try to kick all the poorest people out. All the services are here. Gentrification, that's another fancy word for relocating people out of the community."

William "Mountain Man" James Wright, Surviving the Winter

"Some people maybe hate the homeless, because they're afraid of becoming homeless themselves."

Warehouse Injury Leads to Chronic Pain and Homelessness

Reno-born and raised, William James Wright, also known as "Mountain Man", has been homeless for about 15 years. Now 51, he has a blown-out knee, a creaky hip, a shaky ankle and "arthritis all over his body." William injured his knee working in a warehouse at his last job, when he slipped while cleaning up an oil spill.

William doesn't like panhandling or dumpster diving, so he prefers canning to make some money.

Cold But Not as Bad as Several Years Ago

William says he can't do physical work anymore and doesn't have the education for a "sit-down job." He's looking for doctors who will take his Amerigroup health insurance card to help him. He collects cans and syringes along the Truckee river to make about 50 extra dollars a month, but has a harder and harder time walking around. He doesn't like dumpster diving because one of his friends got a big cyst on his neck after doing it repeatedly. William says this winter is cold, but not as bad as one several years ago, when it was twenty below with three feet of snow on the ground.

Authorities fenced off the park last fall after more and more homeless had created a tent city near a bridge on Wells Ave.

Staying At Wells

William says even before the tent city sprung up by the Wells Ave. bridge between 5th and 6th, he'd been staying there since he's been homeless. When it became too crowded of a spot and turned into a tent city this past fall, authorities fenced it off. "You can't really blame the city for cracking down because it was becoming a health problem but still we need someplace to go."

William has been living near this intersection for most of the 21st century.

On being woken up repeatedly by cops in the middle of the night: "This morning at two a.m. a cop came by. Cops asked me why I was sleeping on the sidewalk. told him because it's wet and there is snow on the ground. But he said 'pack it up and get out of here.' Then he started derogatory statements towards me, telling me to get rid of my dog, go to Sparks, which is a usual thing. They have the gun, they have the power. You do what they say. We're not doing any crimes, we're trying to sleep. I think they make it so that you give up and start doing crimes."

On Living Under Bridges with His Dog: "It's the only place you got if you have animals is underneath bridges. We keep each other warm. She gets me motivated to get up and do things. It would be nice if on cold nights, there would be a way for homeless to have shelter options with their pet."

William has remained at the Wells Ave. location even though it has been mostly fenced off.

On Other Reasons He Avoids Shelters: "It's like going to jail or prison. There's violence, there's cliques, there's people stealing everything they can, a lot of bad stuff going on there. Sometimes, they say it's full. It would be nice to have lockers for people to put their stuff so they can look for work or if they're unable to work they can get their daily stuff done. The city's always needed more porta-potties, also places where homeless can bring their trash like dumpsters set around town."

"There are a lot of good people who help us." William enjoys healthy food.

On good people: "There's good people out there. They bring us tarps and panchos and gloves when it's real cold. They also bring food. I don't drink alcohol. I like it when they bring healthy food. "

Bryan, the former "Mayor" of a Fenced Off Tent City

Bryan Pettibone, a homeless man with two dogs, found a nice spot last year to put up his tent next to a bridge on Wells Avenue in Reno. Drugs and alcohol weren't tolerated if you wanted to join him and pitch your own tent there. Soon, it became a "tent city", with more and more homeless. Many had pets, which aren't accepted in homeless shelters. But when the temperatures started dropping at the end of October, the homeless and their animals living there were evicted and the spot was fenced in. #OurTownReno will document this eviction in an upcoming mini-documentary.

Bryan Pettibone was known as "The Mayor" of the Wells Avenue tent city before it was fenced off.

On his homeless situation: "I'm on Social Security. I make $733 a month minus bank charges and whatever. I'm looking at $550 / $600 that I can spend. You can't find an apartment even a real good studio for less than $700 and it's getting ridiculous."

The eviction notice he was served the day before police came in to disband the tent city.

On cutting the weeds at the location of the "Tent City" and being evicted: "We tried to hide, that didn't work. Now we're exposed that doesn't work. What else is there? If I had the money I'd go build a place where homeless people can go stay with dogs."

Tent city residents receive a visit from workers of the Nevada Humane Society who check up on their pets.

On not being able to keep your pets at homeless shelters: "That's a lot of people's problems now is that they are homeless with their animals and the homeless shelter does not take animals so they have no resolution for the homeless with animals."

One of his two dogs got a new collar, the day before the eviction took place and the spot was eventually fenced in. It was a small consolation for Bryan and the other homeless living there with their pets.

Breaking Stereotypes, by Reighan Fisher

Note: As a student journalist, Reighan Fisher has done extensive reporting about the homeless. She contributed the first audio story to our audio page in December 2015. This is a blog posting she wrote about "breaking stereotypes" when reporting about the homeless.

Former UNR student Megan Parsons and current UNR student Reighan Fisher pose with Robert Basham after interviewing him in 2014.

One of my goals in life is to break stereotypes of the homeless. One of the first questions I asked Robert Basham was how he came about his situation.

An Honest Man Trying to Stay Sober

Robert was an honest man who admitted that he had been struggling with alcoholism for a long time. Although he has been sober for two years, when I asked him what his biggest goal in life was it was to simply stay sober.

An Impressive Resume

Now at first glance I'm sure you wouldn't expect this man to have copies of his resume on him along with an impressive educational background. In 1985, Robert graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering and according to his resume has only been out of work since 2013.

Furthering our discussion about education he said: "You don't learn an idea in college and make a million dollars off of it. You go to college to learn how to learn. "

Facing Judgments and Fighting Battles

Robert was very well informed with issues going on in our country as well as the judgements people like him face everyday. His response to that : "I can't help what other people think of me, I'm working on my own life."

So here is what this comes down to. I'm sure you all know of somebody that is currently dealing with or has suffered from alcoholism. Just because they may be "well off" and not homeless like Robert, does not mean their addiction is any less from his.

So many people are fighting battles and so many people choose to take the step towards recovery everyday, and yes this includes the homeless.

Do Good With Your Life's Path

Robert went to college, earned a degree and even though he did everything right up until that point, he was still faced with this battle that any of us could encounter. I hope you all get something out of Robert's story. Never let society judge you off of your weakness, instead be like Robert and show society that it's okay not to be perfect.

Because the people who change the world are the people who inspire us to get out there and embrace the path life has shown us and do good with it. #breakingstereotypes

This was adapted from Reighan's website page, "Capturing Culture". For this original posting and more of Reighan's reporting and insights visit http://theproductofpeace.weebly.com/capturing-culture.html

Stephen Oakie, A Teddy Bear for His Granddaughter

“This (teddy bear) is for my granddaughter. She’s seven years old. I got her a little gift, it’s beautiful. She lives in Carson City. I’m going to send it to her because I don’t have a car or nothing.”

“I’m from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Please send these pictures to my address so my son can see what I look like. I want my son to see me.”

Photo and interview by Jose Olivares in Reno, NV.