"El Presidente" and The River Rats Association

Along the Truckee River, on the Sparks side, behind a building where dogs are trained for security purposes is the informal River Rats Association.

Kenny, who says he's from New Mexico, braved this harsh winter by the Truckee river in his tent. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Kenny, who introduced himself as El Presidente of the River Rats Association, lives in a camouflage tent and uses a smart phone to stay up to date with the weather. He says he also likes to use his phone to keep track of bird migration patterns.

Kenny's hands show some of the physical hardships of living outside.  He had just finished coffee offered to him by activists who regularly help the houseless along the river and elsewhere.  His friend, Kevin, was previously called "El Pre… — Kenny's hands show some of the physical hardships of living outside. He had just finished coffee offered to him by activists who regularly help the houseless along the river and elsewhere. His friend, Kevin, was previously called "El Presidente", but he was recently hospitalized because of exposure to extreme cold. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Jimbo, another member of the River Rats, says he has been homeless off and on for 12 years. He explained that there are three rules he lives by: don’t steal, pick up garbage, and stay out of sight.

Jimbo sometimes stays in Deb's truck.  He shows one of the illustrated manifestos he's been working on. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno — Jimbo sometimes stays in Deb's truck. He shows one of the illustrated manifestos he's been working on. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Staying out of sight and picking up garbage are pivotal to living outside, Jimbo explained, because any sight of settlement he says is a red flag to police officers and other security.

Jimbo has several notebooks with hundreds of pages filled with text and illustrations reflecting on inconsistencies in contemporary America. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Jimbo says people from California recently came to live along the river as well, leaving trash and also stealing from others.

Deb lives in her truck with Filo.  She says she used to work in real estate, but fell on hard times when she had to take care of her ailing mother. She wouldn't be allowed to keep Filo with her at Reno's main shelter. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for … — Deb lives in her truck with Filo. She says she used to work in real estate, but fell on hard times when she had to take care of her ailing mother. She wouldn't be allowed to keep Filo with her at Reno's main shelter. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Deb says it's difficult to find affordable housing, especially with more and more down payments and paperwork being required. She often parks near the River Rats encampment area.

Melting snow, heavy rain, rising waters and new campers who came through have created more trash than usual. This is right by the current sleeping spot for the River Rats. Photo by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Jimbo said he made sure he picked up his own trash, not to be seen as nuisance or to give police any reason to bother or evict the group. They all seemed to prefer living on their own, whether in a truck or in a tent, rather than going to the shelters.

Photos and Story by Jacob Jacoby for Our Town Reno

Leroy aka Hobo, "One Love" in Reno

Photos and Story by Danielle DeRosa

After taking a picture of him previously while he was panhandling in the sun, Our Town Reno met up again with Hobo, who says his real name is Leroy. Photo by Danielle DeRosa

Hanging out by the river all day where tourists and Reno residents these days want to see how high the river is and how fast it's going makes you visible. We recently caught up with Leroy, who then said he went by Hobo, while he panhandled holding up a "Please Help" sign with a wide grin.

Leroy says "One Love" is another greeting of choice he likes to use.  "This is all the stuff I got left in life," he said of his belongings in his shopping cart. Photo by Danielle DeRosa — Leroy says "One Love" is another greeting of choice he likes to use. "This is all the stuff I got left in life," he said of his belongings in his shopping cart. Photo by Danielle DeRosa

He told us he's from Michigan City, Indiana, where winters can also be very cold and windy. His possessions are in a red shopping cart, as he's without stable housing and living on the streets of Reno, but not without romance in his heart.

The night before he says he got smitten by a woman he met in a parking lot.

Photos and Story by Danielle DeRosa for Our Town Reno

Humans of Reno: Dora, Hobo and Their Friend by the River

Despite windy conditions, Dora wanted a new Facebook profile photo taken of her. Photo by Janay Hagans.

Downtown during the day by the river is where many of Reno's residents without stable housing congregate in between services, meals, the main bus station and the library. A sunny day is a respite from the usually cold, wet and biting conditions of recent months.

A nice camera elicited smiles and conversations. Dora wanted to have a picture taken of her for a new Facebook profile. She said somewhere along the line her life dreams and prosperity didn't materialize. At one point, she went to school for design, she said. At another, she said, she worked in real estate.

Hobo had an even wider smile as the Truckee River flowed behind him. Photo by Janay Hagans.

Hobo, who was pandhandling nearby, repeated several times how much he loves Dora, and how beautiful she is. He said he provides for her as best he can, despite the hardships they go through.

A friend of Dora and Hobo wanted to show some of his boxing moves.  Photo by Janay Hagans. — A friend of Dora and Hobo wanted to show some of his boxing moves. Photo by Janay Hagans.

A friend of Dora and Hobo said he had dreams of becoming a boxer. He said he had a daughter he hadn't seen in three years going to school in Washington. He said he was super proud of her, and hoped to see her soon.

Photos and Interviews by Janay Hagans for Our Town Reno

Candace, A Mother Who Keeps Believing

Story and Photo by Hannah Fogg shared with Our Town Reno

Candace on a patch of grass in front of City Hall in Reno and across from the Believe statue. photo by Hannah Fogg

After being homeless for a few years, Candace says she hopes to go back to college to receive a degree in criminal justice. Because of financial difficulties, though, she had to step away from her scholarly ambitions for a while. She has two kids and she says she loves their personalities so much she turns to them for inspiration.

"I have a lot of belief in my hopes and dreams and in my kids," she said. On balancing motherhood and ambitions amid difficulties? "Just don't give up hope," she answered. "It's going to be possible. You just have to keep believing in it."

Photo and Story by Hannah Fogg shared with Our Town Reno

EJ, Dreams of Becoming a Veterinarian

One of the oldest and gentlest young adults getting help at the You in downtown Reno, a walk-in safe space and resource center for homeless, runaway, aged out of the foster care system and other at-risk youths is 23-year-old Texas native EJ.

EJ got help from the You, getting a new I.D. and birth certificate, after having his wallet stolen. Photo by Jose Olivares — EJ got help from the You, getting a new I.D. and birth certificate, after having his wallet stolen. Photo by Jose Olivares

EJ walks around with his lowrider Skullcandy headset greeting friends living precariously in the Biggest Little City but happy to gather at the YOU on a Friday afternoon for what's called a family dinner.

"Lot of kids these days get in trouble, in jail, doing drugs or running away," he said when Our Town Reno met him.

EJ outside the YOU which according to the wording on its website has weekday, daytime “care and comfort services” including showers, laundry vouchers, snacks, clothing, free wi-fi, cell phone charging, a tech lab and the Chill Zone - a safe space to… — EJ outside the YOU which according to the wording on its website has weekday, daytime *“care and comfort services” including showers, laundry vouchers, snacks, clothing, free wi-fi, cell phone charging, a tech lab and the Chill Zone - a safe space to spend time off the streets.* Screengrab from a video by Jose Olivares

Dreaming Big

EJ says life can be very difficult in Reno, but that he still dreams big.

"My goal is to become a veterinarian. I love animals. Animals love me. There's nothing impossible. If you put your mind to it, you can go for it and reach your goals."

The banner photo from EJ's Facebook page is an inspirational poem by Langston Hughes.

Deysi, Grateful for the 'Angels from Heaven' Who Have Helped Her

Deysi, 65, had been living along the Truckee river for months now, until the flood threats came, and police came by threatening to arrest those who remained in their tents on the banks.

Deysi is relieved to have moved from the river.  “I had a pathetic little tent. The rain went right in. The rain and snow were all over the place. I was all soaked. I was wet and cold.” — Deysi is relieved to have moved from the river. “I had a pathetic little tent. The rain went right in. The rain and snow were all over the place. I was all soaked. I was wet and cold.”

Brief Special Treatment

Initially, Deysi and others displaced from the river banks got special treatment at Wooster High, with elevated beds, healthy food, crates for their pets, but then before they got too cozy it was over.

“We got lots of food, and I got four blankets. I was so happy and warm,” she remembers.

Her two dogs, a Chihuahua and a Rat Terrier mix, were not far from her. “They are my babies, that’s why if it’s somewhere that doesn’t take dogs, I can’t go. But they just got rid of us too quick.”

Deysi says she used to work as a PBX operator.  She had her own trailer and a retirement savings plan. “But then,” she says, “I started getting anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I got depressed. I went to the hospital and they gave me this med… — Deysi says she used to work as a PBX operator. She had her own trailer and a retirement savings plan. “But then,” she says, “I started getting anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I got depressed. I went to the hospital and they gave me this medicine which ruined my teeth, my memory, and caused other problems.”

Constant Threats

Life on the river was not easy, with constant threats of being arrested and stares from pedestrians, joggers and cyclists.

“Police and lots of people just see us as annoying. They don’t want us around. Rich people don’t want us around. Give us a break though. We don’t steal. We don’t do any bad things. We are just living. That’s all we ask for, to keep living. I wish I could have my own place to live. Heck yeah. But what can you do?”

Previously, some of the less fortunate in the area had been living together under a bridge or in covered areas near freeways, but kept getting pushed further and further down the river.

“We can’t live in the streets. They want us to move but where? Downtown? In a corner? It doesn’t make sense. We are usually in a place where people can’t usually see us, but they still want us to move. We were on the Reno side and they pushed us fur… — “We can’t live in the streets. They want us to move but where? Downtown? In a corner? It doesn’t make sense. We are usually in a place where people can’t usually see us, but they still want us to move. We were on the Reno side and they pushed us further down into Sparks. They cut all the bushes and trees so nobody can hide anymore. How cruel.”

A Safe Camping Space?

Local activists, with groups such as RISE and ACTIONN, have been pushing for a safe space for the houseless, where camping would be allowed. Deysi thinks it’s a great idea.

“A camping area where we would be allowed to live would be nice, maybe with a bathroom and a garbage. That’s why we are so dirty, because we don’t have anywhere to go take a shower. “

But she says she isn’t sure the political will would be there from local authorities.

Local activists have helped Deysi and others as they try to figure out how to help them survive this harsh winter. Deysi developed bronchitis recently, but community activists helped her pay for her medication, and then found her a motel room, for n… — Local activists have helped Deysi and others as they try to figure out how to help them survive this harsh winter. Deysi developed bronchitis recently, but community activists helped her pay for her medication, and then found her a motel room, for now. It’s pricey though, sometimes as much as $70 a night, and cheaper weeklies are fully booked. They say she remains in good spirits.

'We Are Human Beings'

“We’re not bums, we are really human beings. We do have feelings,” she told Our Town Reno when we met her at a park recently, while activists were figuring out how to help her find a warmer place.

She is extremely grateful for the activists and volunteers who have been helping her.

“They’ve been angels from heaven. They’ve been really helpful. God bless them. I can’t believe how kind they are.”

Fox, Staying Away From Shelters

Even when conditions get very harsh, the Truckee River rages, and falling wet snow makes living outside very difficult, some of the less fortunate among us like Fox, who can't afford their own housing, say they prefer avoiding any type of group shelter situation.

Fox got his tattoo and his nickname from his BMX racing passion.

“There’s bad people at the shelter, and too many fights. I don’t want to go to prison over something stupid. I’ve also lost lots of stuff when I stay at the shelter. That’s why I don’t go in there anymore.”

Losing Belongings, But Not Friends

He started living in a tent by the river last year, but during the recent threat of flooding, he says he moved away to help friends, who were feeling stressed. Many lost some of their belongings as they moved around, but Fox preferred to look on the more positive side.

"Stuff is replaceable, my friends aren't," he said.

Fox said he'd been able to save his racing bike, axes, hatchets, saws and sleeping bags. "That's pretty much my whole life there," he said.

Thankful for Help

When we met him, he was staying overnight in a Sparks park, with activists helping keep an eye out for police, who had threatened to arrest the river displaced group. The volunteers also helped with moving their belongings, and figuring how to relocate some into temporary housing, such as motels.

“Thank God for those who help us. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have anything,” he said.

Conditions Under Scrutiny at Reno's Homeless Shelter

Why would people who can’t afford homes, apartments or motel rooms in the Reno-Sparks area prefer sleeping in tents along the river, on abandoned properties, or near freeways under bridges rather than going to the homeless shelter on Record street even when conditions are harsh? As January is "Poverty in America Awareness Month", Our Town Reno wanted to look into why so many in our area are "aid-resistant", a term sometimes used in the media, by looking closer at the area's government paid-for shelter.

These pictures were provided anonymously to show conditions at the main shelter's day room, as well as uneaten food being left out for hours (second row) and how belongings are handled (third row).

The pictures above, provided anonymously, offer a glimpse into the realities of life at the main shelter. We previously published photos from harsh conditions at the overflow shelter in this article: http://www.ourtownreno.com/our-citizens-forum/2017/1/3/harsh-nights-inside-renos-overflow-homeless-shelter

Access to the main shelter require sign-ups and check-ins early in the day to secure a bed and meal. When the main shelter on Record street is full, people have to wait hours to be bused to a "secret", nearby location, with dirty sheets and mattresses on gravel-filled ground, only to be woken up before five a.m., deposited back on freezing streets.

Here are more photos above from conditions at the overflow shelter, where people sleeping there have also complained of bed bugs.

Dumped Belongings, No Couples, No Pets , Black Markets and Stale Food

At the main shelter, belongings are dumped unceremoniously. Retrieving them means trampling over everyone else’s belongings. Sometimes, belongings go missing. Left behind property is in a pin outside, snowed in. Couples are separated. Pets are not allowed. The food is cold and stale, usually spaghetti plates, which end up mostly uneaten. Some who eat complain of being sick to their stomachs. Meanwhile, a black market goes on with people selling each other’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards they receive for so-called SNAP benefits, an acronym for the current name of food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Food is left out for hours at the main shelter, barely eaten.

TV crews come for special events when special guests do feedings, and then the food is better, everything is cleaned up, but on a day to day basis, the complaints pile up. It’s too militaristic inside the shelter, people who sleep there sometimes say. There are cliques which make them feel uncomfortable. Younger people feel threatened by the older population. Those in tents, under bridges, in condemned properties, say they prefer to stay with their pets, friends, significant others, whatever the elements and the threats of arrest. To deal with these realities, amid a trend of criminalizing homelessness on the West Coast, amid rising inequalities and housing costs, local activists are trying to get a so-called SafeGround instituted, with this petition.

Text from the petition below:

ACTIONN and The Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality (RISE) call on our local leaders in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County to dedicate land to the development of a SafeGround, where houseless residents within our community can live without fear of criminalization, harassment, or eviction and where they could benefit from the protection of our local law enforcement agencies and local services. Ideally, there should be several locations throughout the area that are dedicated SafeGrounds.

This would allow local non-profits and caseworkers easy access to people in need and would serve as a first step towards solving houselessness in Northern Nevada. The less restrictive nature of a SafeGround allows our community to immediately respond to people newly on the street and decrease the resources required by the community. The faster someone is served, the less time they spend without housing. Individuals can be more quickly served if they can be easily found. The current situation makes that difficult because houseless people often hide to avoid eviction and harassment.

Catherine Clark, Moving Back to the Banks of the Raging River

As the Truckee River threatened to overflow in recent days, many who usually live along its banks inside tents decided to take advantage of improved relief sleeping options being offered by the city of Reno at Wooster High. But when these options were no longer offered, the homeless made their way back to their old encampment sites, only to find some of their belongings ruined or under water. This is a photo series by our newest Our Town Reno contributor Holly Hutchings.

For those who make their home here, coming back to their belongings has been disheartening. If their camp sites are still somewhat intact, everything is soaked. "It was all wet," Catherine Clark said. "Everything that I had there that was dry, … — For those who make their home here, coming back to their belongings has been disheartening. If their camp sites are still somewhat intact, everything is soaked. "It was all wet," Catherine Clark said. "Everything that I had there that was dry, even the tent, is wet. Inside and out."

The Truckee River rages across from the Grand Sierra Resort earlier this week. Many tents can be found nestled in this area. Most of the residents of this small tent city left their belongings and found shelter elsewhere as the river rose earlier th… — The Truckee River rages across from the Grand Sierra Resort earlier this week. Many tents can be found nestled in this area. Most of the residents of this small tent city left their belongings and found shelter elsewhere as the river rose earlier this month.

This tent which once stood as a shelter is now in shambles with its previous inhabitants nowhere in sight.

Some of those returning to live along the river found a wet, muddy mess, when they returned to their camps.

Clark takes a break from cleaning out her tent. She has spent the morning removing all she owns and airing it out to dry. "I've been here nonstop, up until the other night, for a year. I've got nowhere to go," she said. — Clark takes a break from cleaning out her tent. She has spent the morning removing all she owns and airing it out to dry. "I've been here nonstop, up until the other night, for a year. I've got nowhere to go," she said.

Photo Series and Reporting by Holly Hutchings

A People's Potluck for the Displaced from the River

Julie Rhoades, a waitress by occupation and a spirited activist by soul, decides to take the midnight to 2 a.m. shift.

"We are bearing witness and making sure police don't come and arrest people here as they've been threatening on and off," she explains under a cold nighttime drizzle.

Julie Rhoades (in the pink polka dot hat) and other activists gather around at a park where homeless who were displaced from the river because of possible floods are now being helped.

From the River to a High School to a Park

Here at a park in Sparks, NV, Rhoades and other activists are helping homeless previously living in tents along the Truckee river who were told to move because of the possible floods.

After some spent one night for relief at Wooster High, which included healthy food, clean beds and even crates for their pets, they were told that was a one-night deal only. So some have reassembled here, some under pagodas, some in tents in different parts of the park. Some want to go back to their river encampments, while others are still nervous about raging waters.

Warm drinks were offered to people who have been under threat of the rising Truckee river from their encampments, and then continuously moved around in recent days.

Remade Homeless

"Homeless people have been re-made homeless," Rhoades said. "It's super traumatizing. The more you're involved, the more you have to have empathy. I don't want to have dinner with fancy people. I'm interested in this."

Volunteers brought healthy food and warm drinks. Even a casino chipped in with sandwiches. Rhoades coordinated the potluck event, called People's Potluck, which then stretched into Tuesday.

Those being helped were very grateful, as they fought for survival while living outside amid unpredictable, wet, cold weather.

Not Them, Us

"I am a waitress," Rhoades said. "I serve people. That's what I do. I was thinking of that while cooking soup. I've been moving people to and from the river for the last couple of days."

She explains the people she is helping shouldn't be referred to as "them", but as "us."

"There's one woman who is living here with her son and they have family problems too."

A stuffed tiger also stood guard, among the belongings those being helped were able to keep with them.

Solidarity, Not Charity

"We're building a community," Rhoades explained, as more and more people arrived bringing food, and being updated on plans to stay the night and organize in shifts.

"This is solidarity, not charity. It's us helping us."

If someone has a feeling they should help, Rhoades encourages them to do so. "It can change you in a good way," she said. "Every friend I've had I have met through the helping community."

"It's just food," Rhoades said of the potluck. "It's just a band-aid. But if every day is a series of present moments, then at least you can make someone's present moment happy with a warm belly. I really believe that."

Speaking Out and Seeking Change for Homeless Out in the Cold

Photos and Story by Jose Olivares

A recent vigil was organized by local activist and University of Nevada, Reno student Alese McMurtry (in foreground), activists from Acting in Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada (ACTIONN), the Reno Initiative of Shelter and Equali… — A recent vigil was organized by local activist and University of Nevada, Reno student Alese McMurtry (in foreground), activists from Acting in Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada (ACTIONN), the Reno Initiative of Shelter and Equality (RISE) and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN).

A Poem for the Homeless

One of the participants, Shayden Ward, recited a poem titled “Meet Mr. Everyman”. The poem was recently recited at a Reno City Council meeting and it captures the struggles of various characters inspired by interactions Ward has had.

The climax of Ward's poem is when the homeless character in the poem dies “under the Keystone Bridge.”

Artificial Candles and a New Petition

Numerous people at the vigil spoke up and shared their stories, proposed solutions and offered insight to the homeless situation. At the end, faith leaders led a prayer and attendees held artificial candles during a moment of silence.

A new initiative now being put forward by activists in Reno is a petition to create a so-called SafeGround in Washoe County. Read about it and sign it if you agree here.

According to the petition .... "A SafeGround provides an alternate and temporary location to increase our service capacity for houseless community residents to live in a safe area where they have access to services and training that will provide the… — According to the petition .... "A SafeGround provides an alternate and temporary location to increase our service capacity for houseless community residents to live in a safe area where they have access to services and training that will provide them entry into community-building, outreach, employment, and permanent housing."

The community's willingness to help the homeless community seems to be growing, as evidenced by the well attended vigil at the Potentialist Workshop.

Photos and Story by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Ricky, a 'Street Soldier' in Reno

Photos and Reporting by Jose Olivares

Ricky Perez, who calls himself the 'Street Soldier', has been through a lot in his 41 years, from gang life to prison life to life on the streets.

“The streets” is a loaded term, with its many meanings always circling back to urban life. The term is anything but bourgeois.

“Growing up on the streets” can imply involvement in gang activity. A “street” is a slang term for a hallway in prison. “Living on the streets” can mean being homeless. And taking to “the streets” refers to raising hell against systemic injustice.

41-year-old Ricky Perez, a self-proclaimed 'Street Soldier', embodies all of the above. To Perez, the streets represent his home. He first grew up on the streets, spent years in prison, is currently homeless and has been an ardent fighter against systemic injustice.

What Perez has seen during his time on the streets has been humanity at its rawest.

Our Town Reno first met Perez in early November. We wrote a story on people’s outlook for the U.S. election. We met him on Fourth Street in downtown Reno. He was wearing a hospital gown and was slowly shuffling down the sidewalk with assistance from… — Our Town Reno first met Perez in early November. We wrote a story on people’s outlook for the U.S. election. We met him on Fourth Street in downtown Reno. He was wearing a hospital gown and was slowly shuffling down the sidewalk with assistance from a walker.

Making Contact

When we spoke, he told us of his injuries, some sustained when he was allegedly jumped a few days prior.

Ever since, he’s been in contact with Our Town Reno, wanting to share his story.

We had been communicating through random, sporadic phone calls. As a homeless man, access to a consistent phone is difficult, so Our Town Reno was unable to speak with Perez unless he called. A couple of times he called from a cellphone he borrowed. A few times from a pay phone. And once from a phone on the fifth floor of a local hospital as he waited to hear results of a blood test.

We finally were able to schedule a meeting this past weekend. Our Town Reno spent approximately five hours with Perez, listening to his stories, jokes and philosophical thoughts.

There is no way to know if the stories he told Our Town Reno were exaggerated for theatrical effect, so we advise the reader to take them for what they are.

After weeks of contacting him, Our Town Reno was able to meet with Perez again and found out about his lifelong ordeals.

Happy and Painful Memories

Our Town Reno picked Perez up next to the RTC bus station. Because of his injuries, he uses a walker, which we stowed in the back of the car as we drove to find food. The walker has a black bag attached to it with a gaping hole. Every time we would take the walker out of the car for him to walk, he would check, ask and clarify that none of his possessions had fallen out of the hole.

Perez is from the Silver State. “I’m from Las Vegas. Born and raised,” he said. Growing up, his mother would take him and his brother to Mexico to visit family. He fondly remembers the food and culture. “Cow tongue is a delicacy in Mexico,” he said with a slight grin.

Perez dropped out of high school in the 11th grade and went on to receive his GED some time later. According to Perez, he and his younger brother were worlds apart. “The only thing we had in common was our mother,” he said. “My brother was full-blown homosexual.”

Perez told us how his younger brother died of AIDS in 2012. However, this was not the only family tragedy in his life. He remembers how his younger cousin died of a meth overdose. He still thinks her death was suspicious because of the astronomically high amount of meth, he says, which was found in her system.

Perez was a member of a gang in Las Vegas. His activities, as a member of the gang, he says, were intense. Perez requested we not publish the name of the gang nor his actions within it. Perez has left the gang life he led during his early adult… — Perez was a member of a gang in Las Vegas. His activities, as a member of the gang, he says, were intense. Perez requested we not publish the name of the gang nor his actions within it. Perez has left the gang life he led during his early adulthood and does not like to speak much about it.

Gang Life leads to Prison Life

The only thing he allowed to publish about his gang life is that his actions as a young man – at approximately 19 or 20 years old – landed him behind bars. Perez says he spent approximately 20 years in a Nevada prison. He was recently released.

His experiences in prison were expectedly unpleasant. He remembers a time when he and his cellmate were jumped. Perez was stabbed seven times but as he says, he was able to put up a good fight.

In prison, he was able to read books spanning a variety of topics. One of his favorite books was a biography of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

“I really identify with Che,” he said. “He’s a fighter. He’s headstrong. He never gave up. That’s how I am.”

Life is a River

We sat together at a local Mexican restaurant. I sipped on a soda and Perez devoured a carne asada torta and rice tacos. As we chatted about each other’s lives, he would drop golden nuggets of philosophical and life advice.

“You never want to go backward,” he told me. “You always want to go forward. Life is a river. We must live it while we can.”

During his time in prison, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) represented many prisoners in Ely State Prison in Riker v. Gibbons (https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/riker-v-gibbons-order). Prisoners sued Nevada regarding their medical conditions in Ely State Prison. For this, Perez now holds the ACLU in high regard and sees it as one of the best organizations in the country that “really fights for the people.”

Perez was released from prison and decided to move to Reno earlier this year.

Moving to 'Weird' Reno

“I came up to Reno on a Greyhound on August 12,” Perez said. “Reno’s kind of weird. People are weird. They’ll openly stare at you.”

His time in Reno has been anything but uneventful. Perez is currently homeless and is struggling with a busted knee after allegedly being jumped one day. Throughout our time together, he would frequently grasp his knee, clench his teeth and double over in pain. Although he would try to dismiss the pain and pass it off as if it truly did not phase him, it was obvious the pain was truly affecting his concentration as we spoke.

The story of his injuries and of his struggles on Reno’s streets is to be continued...

In Part 2 of this series, we’ll learn more of Ricky Perez’s experience of getting injured as a homeless man in Reno as well as get more of his insights gathered from his turbulent life.

Series Reporting and Photos by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Lisa Lee: Starting a Writing Workshop for the Homeless

Story and Photos by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Lisa Lee previously spent eight years living on the streets in various cities across the United States. She now works at Northern Nevada HOPES as a community-based case manager. She is also a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno. … — Lisa Lee previously spent eight years living on the streets in various cities across the United States. She now works at Northern Nevada HOPES as a community-based case manager. She is also a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

Negative Reactions on the Streets

“You’re really invisible when you’re on the streets,” Lee said during a recent interview with Our Town Reno. “You’re either really visible to everyone and people have pity or are repulsed by you – they have some sort of really negative reaction to you. Or you’re completely invisible and they’ll walk right past you. You could be bleeding on the street and they would walk right past you.”

Lee tells me this as we sit at her desk at Northern Nevada HOPES, a nonprofit community health center where she works.

“So being this identity of a repellant and being invisible at the same time, at least I had paper that was completely unbiased and nonjudgmental. I could pour my little heart out. It was very therapeutic for me.”

Lisa Lee looks through the notebooks she created when she was homeless. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

Writing and Collecting Memories to Keep Sane

Lee is referring to a series of notebooks on her desk. Worn out and beat up, the notebooks contain memories spanning the years from when Lee was living on the streets. As she flips through the pages and looks at the poetry, prose and drawings, a sense of nostalgia overwhelms her. Her facial expressions change as she remembers specific instances when she placed pen on paper.

“I was homeless from 18 to 26,” she explained. “Writing is my passion, it’s what’s kept me sane over the years so I wanted to share that with others.”

A screengrab of a promotion for the upcoming V.O.I.C.E. writing group.

The Voice Project

Lee is starting a project called V.O.I.C.E., an acronym that stands for Voices of Inspiration, Courage and Empowerment. V.O.I.C.E is a writing group for people who are currently experiencing – or who have experienced – homelessness.

The first meeting of V.O.I.C.E. will be this Saturday, December 3 at noon. Previously and currently homeless individuals interested in taking part can go the first Saturday of each month on the third floor of HOPES. Although the V.O.I.C.E. project is for people who have been or are currently homeless, Lee says future open mic nights will be open to the public. She is funding the project entirely on her own.

The VOICE project originally started as a writing workshop for women who have experienced violence. But Lee then decided to expand it for people who live without a home. These are more of her notebooks. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

Personal and Political Dynamics

“It’s a way for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or have experienced homelessness to bring their voices to the table,” Lee said of her VOICE initiative. “Creating a space for people who are having these experiences is super powerful on a personal level but also on a political level.”

“Most of the time it’s people in suits who are making really important decisions about [homelessness] with no knowledge or comprehension of what it’s like to actually live without a home.”

Lee remembers the therapeutic comfort she felt when writing in her journals. A lot of her possessions were taken from her while she was living on the streets, including jackets, sleeping bags and hygiene products, but she eventually made sure that didn't happen to her journals.

“The thing that hurt most was when a piece of my soul was taken in my notebooks,” Lee said. “So I learned to strategically carry my belongings. I always kept my journal on my person, I never ever left it anywhere because I could always sit down and … — “The thing that hurt most was when a piece of my soul was taken in my notebooks,” Lee said. “So I learned to strategically carry my belongings. I always kept my journal on my person, I never ever left it anywhere because I could always sit down and write. It was always just an avenue I had that let me get my thoughts out.” Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Publication Possibilities

Lee is hoping to publish work that is produced with VOICE. She said there is value in having homeless individuals tell their own story.

“In a way, writing or art provides immortality. It lets you tell your story long after you’re gone,” Lee said. “Get to work, people. Get to writing – do whatever you can to make things right for people”

If you would like to donate writing materials (pencils, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, paper, pen) or food to the V.O.I.C.E. project, you can email Lisa Lee at LLee@nnhopes.org or call her on 775-737-3175.

WHAT: V.O.I.C.E. writing group

WHO: Anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing homelessness

WHEN: The first Saturday every month, starting with this Saturday, December 3 at noon. Will eventually become a twice-per-month meeting.

WHERE: Third floor of Northern Nevada HOPES

Reporting and Photos by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Larry: "We're not all scumbags and dope fiends."

Story and Photos by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Larry (right), who lives in a weekly motel, took part in a panel on homelessness last week in Reno. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Talking About Living in a Motel

Larry’s determination propelled his quick paces as he moved to stand in front of the audience. The crowd sitting in the classroom watched him intently, admiring the tattoos on his arms and his blonde moustache. They leaned in to hear what he would say.

As fluorescent classroom lights shone down, Larry described how he currently works almost 80 hours per week, struggling to care for his wife and son. The family of three are homeless in Reno and are currently staying in a weekly motel.

“We’re not all scumbags and dope fiends,” Larry said, referring to the commonly-held stereotype of homeless individuals.

Larry got emotional as he spoke as one of the five panelists for What about us? A panel on homelessness in Washoe County, organized by ACTIONN, on Thursday, Nov. 17, in a University of Nevada, Reno classroom. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno. — Larry got emotional as he spoke as one of the five panelists for *What about us? A panel on homelessness in Washoe County,* organized by ACTIONN, on Thursday, Nov. 17, in a University of Nevada, Reno classroom. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

A Learning Experience

Over 120 community members and social work students occupied the classroom to learn of the homeless situation in northern Nevada.

The panel was made up of Reno City Council member Jenny Brekhus, ACTIONN’s Aria Overli, the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality’s Ben Castro, Volunteers of America’s Pat Cashell and Larry. Each panelist took a few minutes to introduce themselves, explain their approach to homelessness and later answered any questions from the audience.

From left to right, Jenny Brekhus, Aria OVerli, Ben Castro, Pat Cashell and Larry. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

Day to Day Struggles

Larry was the last panelist to speak about homelessness and the day-to-day struggle he encounters to help his wife caring for their young son. He recounted to the audience stories when the three of them were living in the streets.

Larry would hardly ever sleep, he said, staying awake to care for his family. During the day, Larry would leave his wife and son with a fellow, trustworthy homeless friend when looking for a job. Finding a job was a challenge, since there was no way for him to prepare for any prospective job interviews.

“How do you stay clean for a job interview?” he asked the audience.

The crowd listened intently as Larry detailed his precarious life on the streets and inside motel rooms. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

Camaraderie on the Streets

As his story progressed, he told the audience of the camaraderie he experienced while living on the streets. He also expressed frustration at his current situation living in a weekly motel room. Emotions betrayed him at one point when speaking of people’s perceptions of homeless individuals.

“We’re human beings, stop looking at us like we’re not,” Larry said. Tears began to swell in his eyes and his voice wavered and dropped slightly. “I am a human being. My wife is a human being. My son is a human being.”

Audience members remained quiet as Larry’s words crashed over them. Although the weekly does not serve as a proper home, Larry smiled at his wife and said, “My wife makes it home.” Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno — Audience members remained quiet as Larry’s words crashed over them. Although the weekly does not serve as a proper home, Larry smiled at his wife and said, “My wife makes it home.” Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Help Each Other

The other panelists spoke passionately of their work in regards to homelessness, and were very critical of those not willing to help the situation.

Ben Castro spoke of Living Room, a new project RISE is taking on to provide housing for homeless individuals. Aria Overli spoke of Reno’s criminalization of homelessness and the need for discrimination to end. Pat Cashell shared his own, personal story, and spoke of his work as the regional director of Volunteers of America, the organization running the homeless shelters in town. Re-elected councilwoman Jenny Brekhus spoke of governmental approaches to fight homelessness and proposed public-private partnerships to help approach improvements.

Some of the most memorable remarks came from the audience as well. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

Audience Participation

Paul Lenart and Escenthio Marigny both raised their hands at differing times during the discussion and pointed to the culprit causing homelessness.

“We spent most of the history in our species taking care of each other,” Lenart said, alluding to the idea that humans have not always let their fellow person fall by the wayside. Later on in the evening, he muttered to me under his breath: “The whole commodity model is the problem.”

Marigny echoed some of these sentiments pointing to the “elephant in the room” that is “neoliberalism.”

At the end of the event, audience members approached the panelists, asking them for more information regarding their specific work or how to get involved with their organizations. Many people also approached Larry, his wife and their son, looking to shake their hands, and thanking Larry for his words.

There was rousing appreciation for Larry's courage to speak. Photo by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno.

The Next Generation

“I’m glad that a lot of young people were here,” Larry told me, referring to the large number of social work students who attended.

He and his wife, although struggling to live in the weekly, are incredibly proud of their young son.

“My son is on the honor roll,” Larry proudly boasted. “He gets straight As regardless.”

Photos and Story by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

A Teach-In with Rebekah Stetson, Our “Philanthropic Farmer”

Eight years ago, Rebekah Stetson, was a corporate banker, but then her life flipped.

Stetson on her no regrets life transformation: “I was going through training to become a licensed banker to sell securities. I had been in management at the branch level. My house also burned down and I also got pregnant with my second daughter.&nbs… — Stetson on her no regrets life transformation: “I was going through training to become a licensed banker to sell securities. I had been in management at the branch level. My house also burned down and I also got pregnant with my second daughter. I had multiple things going on but I just saw a really evil system. We had already started raising meat for our family and so I saw this niche market for organic meats and so I thought staying home playing with animals sounded much better.”

Helping Others Realize Healthy Choices

Today, in mid-November with the first snowflakes of the season falling on Reno, she gives a tour of the demonstration gardens she is helping with at the High Desert Montessori School off of Oravada St. She also helps with their lunch program, and trying to develop more outdoor growing spaces and classrooms in an already lush and colorful environment.

The High Desert Montessori School is one of many healthy food and community programs Stetson helps with.

A Long List of Endeavors

“Whatever project I am asked to do if I am able to be a part of that’s what I do. Whatever people are ready to learn is what I am willing to teach,” she says.

In her post banking life, Stetson has been an organic farmer, specializing in organic pork and organic goat dairy, as well as a manager for school gardens in Lyon County. She has been a health policy advocate at the state level, and has helped start or is currently helping with several youth community gardens in Reno.

Tips for composting in the high desert country? “We live in the desert so make sure you water your compost pile or else it will never rot. It’s debatable whether it should be turned or not but it does seem like it breaks down a lot faster if yo… — Tips for composting in the high desert country? “We live in the desert so make sure you water your compost pile or else it will never rot. It’s debatable whether it should be turned or not but it does seem like it breaks down a lot faster if you turn it every few days in the summer. You should not put dairy or meat into your compost pile. You also don’t want to put anything that’s very big in there, because it’s not going to break down fast."

Consulting, Speaking Out and Raising Money

Stetson's list of current activities is varied. She consults with farmers and ranchers, who raise native grasses to let cows feed themselves, rather than cutting hay for them. Stetson is also currently fundraising for the Reno Initiative Living Room communal housing effort, which will also have a garden component.

She speaks out against the use of pesticides in local parks and national food supplies and also helps people who want to raise animals at home whether it’s legal or in a grey area. “There’s always the idea of do I ask for permission or forgiveness?” she explains. “Talk to your neighbors,” she suggests if you have any big plans to raise food in your backyard. “Take the power back,” she advises.

"Raised beds are awesome because you can control the dirt inside as long as you aren’t planting deeper than what your box goes. You can put whatever input into your box that is good clean dirt, that has never had pesticide exposure and is a good mix… — "Raised beds are awesome because you can control the dirt inside as long as you aren’t planting deeper than what your box goes. You can put whatever input into your box that is good clean dirt, that has never had pesticide exposure and is a good mix to grow veggies well. The dirt is usually a lot less compact so you can grow root vegetables like carrots really well. "

Why is it so important to go local when making and consuming food?

“What is coming to the market in the grocery store for the most part is not nutritionally dense food. It’s not done as well as it could be. When you know your local farmer and you are getting your food locally, you’re not using a lot of fuel consumption, because everything is happening in proximity, also you are getting a product that is so much more nutritious than what you could get from the grocery store. I’m all about personal wellness and community wellness. I see a lot of unwell people and I see bad food being a root cause of a lot of issues.”

Stetson is helping the High Desert Montessori School expand its garden.  She has also helped the Eddy House and Urban Roots among other local groups with their own healthy growing initiatives. — Stetson is helping the High Desert Montessori School expand its garden. She has also helped the Eddy House and Urban Roots among other local groups with their own healthy growing initiatives.

What if you feel you only have the time and money for a regular grocery store?

“If you can only shop at a grocery store, shop the perimeter of the grocery store, don’t shop the inner aisles, because that’s where all your processed and packaged foods are. We really have to start voting with our dollars too. If we don’t put our dollars into markets that we don’t believe in, those markets will cease to exist, because our entire economy revolves around supply and demand. If we look at how much we spend in health care costs and if we flipped that and if we spent that on high quality food we would have so many more ‘well people’. It’s just making that conscious decision that I am willing to do something proactive that’s different. Change is uncomfortable, but I’m trying to make it so that it invades our local culture and becomes common practice.”

Stetson warns it's hard work to grow healthy food.  “All good things come with hard work.  People often go into it thinking it’s going to be easy. Although it’s extremely wholesome and fulfilling, it is really hard work. But it will get yo… — Stetson warns it's hard work to grow healthy food. “All good things come with hard work. People often go into it thinking it’s going to be easy. Although it’s extremely wholesome and fulfilling, it is really hard work. But it will get you connected to land and start making you question the way you eat and the way things work. It could be the greatest ride you ever take but it will also be hard work.”

For those already on this journey, any tips as winter approaches?

“The ground has not frozen yet, so it’s still not too late to bring your garlic and onions in. Don’t limit your beliefs of what can grow. You can grow carrots, turnips, beets, chard, spinach, kale, there’s tons of winter crops which can grow here. You can do yourself a huge favor by building some hoops over your row of whatever you plant and putting some plastic or something that you can see through, over it, to keep some of that warmth in during the day.”

Photos and Interview for Our Town Reno

Election Day Views from Reno's Streets -- by Jose Olivares

Raymond Hayes was on a bench in downtown Reno. Photo by Jose Olivares.

Profits and People

Raymond Hayes is originally from Tennessee and moved to Reno three years ago. He has three children and says he is incredibly passionate regarding labor issues and the economy.

“It doesn’t matter who votes for who,” Hayes said. “The government has so many secrets, why do they think voting will make a difference?”

Hayes find more importance in congressional voting than in the presidential vote, and encourages people to pay attention to those elections rather than the others. However, he still had strong opinions concerning the presidential election.

“My pick was more the person as the person. I am more interested in the morals and ethics,” Hayes said. “Donald Trump is a businessman. Businessmen don’t have any morals of ethics, they only care about making profit. Hillary [Clinton] seems more with the people.”

Hayes says his opinion on Nevada’s current political and social situation is not too great. He brought up a topic that has garnered little media attention.

“They need to get rid of Right to Work. They can discriminate and fire people at will with it.”

Mostly Ignored Labor Issues

Right to Work is the law in Nevada (and other states) that allows workers the “right to work” without the support of a union or with collective bargaining rights. This leads to union busting and the degeneration of collective bargaining rights. Nevada is also an At-Will state, which means employers can fire workers “at-will,” which means they do not have to provide a reasoning for the layoff.

“Give us a real minimum wage. Not eight or nine dollars. We’re not in high school, we’re adults,” he said.

“I have three kids. I can’t survive with $9.50 an hour. I can’t survive without government help. But I don’t want government help with food stamps, healthcare and housing. I want to get it myself.”

According to Hayes, the country is divided, but he hopes that will change. “Once we start getting along, it’ll be better. Rome wasn’t built in one week. It’s going to be a struggle to change it,” he said.

“We need unity, no Right to Work, a livable wage and we need to bring jobs back.”

Ryan and Shelby G. pose for Our Town Reno. Photo by Jose Olivares.

Calling B.S. and for a Cleanup

“We’re screwed either way we go!” Ryan said after we asked his opinion on the presidential election.

Shelby interjected. Although she agrees with Ryan, she prefers Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump.

“Hillary is better," she said. "Trump wants to run the country like a business. He wants people who have abortions to go to prison. With everything going on in my life, Hillary could be better. I think politics is bullshit.”

“I just want to see this city cleaned up,” Ryan said about the local elections. “It’s filthy. There’s unkept needles where children play. There’s a nasty drug problem.”

Reporting and Photos by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

'Our Day Never Ends', Safe Embrace Saves Survivors of Abuse

Story and Reporting by Alissa Bremner

A screengrab from the website of Safe Embrace, a Sparks-based nonprofit which educates the community and provides services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Rankings Which Need to Change

In recent years, Nevada has ranked first nationally in the rate of women murdered by a male intimate partner, according to organizations which track these grim statistics. Activists say domestic violence and sexual assault are prevalent in Nevada, but that not much is being done to stop it.

A screengrab from the Safe Embrace Instagram page.

Safe Embrace and Its Waiting List

Safe Embrace, located in Sparks, Nevada, is a non-profit organization that offers advocacy, emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, and so much more to people in the Reno-Sparks area. The problem, activists say, is that so many people need help, and they don’t have enough room to house all of these women and their children.

Executive Director John Etchemendy said they currently have around three dozen women and children on their waiting list right now.

“Our shelter has been 100 percent occupied for the last two and a half years,” Etchemendy said.

The Safe Embrace Faceebook page is promoting an upcoming fundraiser on Nov. 19, in Reno.

Life or Death Situations

Last year, while on Safe Embrace’s waiting list for their emergency shelter, staff say a woman was murdered by her significant other. The women on this waiting list are in dire need of help.

The Safe Embrace shelter, in a confidential location, currently has 15 beds.

Etchemendy made it clear that they are currently raising money to build a new wing on the property that will hold 16 additional beds.

The longest families can stay is 90 days, but they can apply for transitional housing for when those 90 days are up, typically government assisted temporary housing for those in dire need.

Recent promotional material for the Safe Embrace website.

Housing Help and Daily Calls

Amparo Iglesias, a staff member at Safe Embrace who helps with housing opportunities, said that all of the women are eligible for transitional housing. All they need it to just fill out an application that gives information on the situation they are in.

“We table it to see who is in the most need for transitional stability,” Iglesias said.

Along with transitional housing, Safe Embrace has a 24-hour crisis hotline. They receive seven to nine calls a day from women who are in crisis. If they get a call about a sexual assault that just occurred, someone from Safe Embrace can go with the client to the hospital to give support while they get tests done.

Safe Embrace also has a Twitter account.

Long Distance Emergency Evacuations and Education

Staff also offer emergency evacuation help. So if the client is only in the Reno-Sparks area for school or a short period of time, Safe Embrace can help get them back to wherever home may be.

Along with that, Safe Embrace sends advocates out to local youth groups to educate the young on important matters such as consent. Etchemendy said they want to, “initiate thought,” on issues like pressuring for consent, and locker room talk.

Etchemendy raised questions like, “if the girl wants to say no, but is pressured into saying yes, does that count as consent if she doesn’t actually want to have sex?” And, “if a boy pressures a girl into saying yes, should he take that as consent when she originally said no?” These are the types of questions Safe Embrace is asking teens, and trying to educate them on what pressure can do when it comes to consent. Etchemendy says he thinks the real problem behind domestic violence and sexual assault is our culture.

“The problem is a culture where we continually blame the victim,” Etchemendy said.

Story and Reporting by Alissa Bremner for Our Town Reno

Activists Confront Chainsaws Buzzing Through Truckee River Homeless Camps

Activist Jennifer Cassady (left) is shown areas where chainsaws recently cut down tree parts which were providing shelter for homeless camp sites along the Truckee River.

Reporting and Photography by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Last month, activists filmed as workers chainsawed brush and trees in close proximity to homeless encampments. A couple of the activists led Our Town Reno to the area where the chainsawing took place.

Remnants of brush and small trees are left in a pile after workers sawed them down, near where homeless people used to shelter.

It is a rainy day in Sparks. Jennifer Cassady and Katie Colling walk alongside the Truckee River as the cloudy skies paint the world in a gray and cold light.

Katie Colling (left) and Jennifer Cassady (right), both with the local Reno group known by its acronym RISE, discuss the homeless encampment area previously protected by brush.

Jumping In

Colling and Cassady walk along the pathway towards a nearby bridge to take refuge from the rain. Cassady spots a bicycle in the river next to more property belonging to one of her homeless friends. Regardless of the cold water, the cold wind and the rushing current, she jumps into the river to fish out the bike and places it at the side of the river under the bridge.

Screengrab of a video Cassady posted on Facebook last month. Click link below to watch.

LINK TO VIDEO:

https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.cassady.73/videos/10210729709109328/?permPage=1

Cassady is a local activist who also volunteers for the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality (RISE). She is involved in local community activism and organizing, especially with homeless individuals in Northern Nevada. Last month, alongside Colling and Jay Kolbet-Clausell, she filmed as workers used chainsaws to clear brush and trees near homeless encampments in Sparks.

A homeless person’s tent remains behind trees which escaped the recent chainsawing.

The Homeless Camp Site

There is an area in Sparks by the Truckee River, where homeless folks have gathered near brush and trees to help protect them from precipitation and other factors. There are a few tents established and hidden in the brush where a large group of homeless people have clustered together.

According to Cassady, the trees and brush help keep the homeless camp from being exposed to the elements. Last month, however, homeless people felt their protection was threatened and placed in jeopardy by chainsaws, a dump truck, and a front loader.

Above an Our Town Reno compilation by Jose Olivares with activist videos by Jay Kolbet-Clausell.

The Chainsaws

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Truckee River Flood Project sent workers to remove brush and some trees near the homeless camp.

According to Jay Aldean, executive director of the Truckee River Flood Project, they were asked by the City of Sparks to remove this brush because they said it was a fire hazard.

“We attempted to do that,” Aldean said. “We put up signs that we didn’t want any trespassing. We notified the people there that they needed to move so we can clean the brush.”

The videos show the logo of Keeler Tree Service on a machine. Keeler Tree Service is a private company.

Colling and Cassady walk through the area where they confronted the chainsaw workers.

Activist and Homeless Observers

Cassady, Colling and Kolbet-Clausell were all observing the situation and helping their homeless friends gather their property. The three of them filmed the workers using chainsaws as they got close to the homeless people's property.

Our Town Reno spoke with a couple of homeless individuals living at the camp. We spoke with Bonnie Pace, who we interviewed earlier this year (www.ourtownreno.com/our-stories-1/2016/4/8/bonnie-and-her-cat-displaced-but-together).

"You think a tourist wants to see this?" she asks.

Pace also mentioned the Sparks Police Department has politely approached the camp and offered the homeless people services. Unfortunately, some of the homeless folks living in this area have pets that cannot be taken to shelters with their owner.

"I'm not giving up my cat," Bonnie said. "My cats are like my children!"

A homeless person’s property can be seen in the background while remnants of chainsawed brush sits in the foreground,

Brush Removal

The area still has a lot of brush and trees left protecting the camp. According to Aldean, the workers removed between 60 and 80 percent of the brush required by the City of Sparks.

“We negotiated [with the activists and homeless] that we would only cut as much as we cut, and see what the City of Sparks was going to make us do after that brush was cut,” Aldean said. “From that, we can just rest a little bit and see how the negotiations go with the City of Sparks.”

“Like I say, these guys when I spoke with them, they’re very good people, the activists,” Aldean added. “They’re trying to do a job as well.”

Cassady who works with RISE does not hide her anger regarding what she says is the injustice homeless individuals in Reno and Sparks face on a day-to-day basis. "I'm heartbroken," she says.

Dedicated to Activism

Cassady says she has dedicated her life to community organizing and striving for social change. She is currently in her last semester and is on the road to receive a Master of Arts for Social Change at the California-based Starr King School for the Ministry. As she told Our Town Reno, "The school is bad ass and prepared me to be out there."

"I feel like it's important to give the world back its humanity and the only way to do that is by confronting oppression in every form," she said.

"If I have a dream, it's that the voices that are here are amplified and heard. That their stories are seen as sacred and their humanity is amplified. If I'm amplifying their voice, that's important," she said.

Photos, Video Editing and Reporting by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Special thanks to Jay Kolbet-Clausell for the videos clips.

Election 2016, the View from the Streets of Reno

Text, Interviews and Photos by Jose Olivares

With the last presidential debate coming up, Our Town Reno interviewed a few people living day to day on the streets, asking them what their political opinions are.

Damon and Tyelor were walking hand in hand in downtown Reno. They seemed disillusioned with the November 8 presidential vote.

“I think both parties are pieces of sh*t,” Damon told us. “If Hillary gets elected we’ll go to war. If Trump gets elected… well I don’t know what will happen. Probably total anarchy.”

“He’s racist,” Tyelor chimed in. “He’ll really harm the LGBT community. I’m part of that community. I don’t like that.”

“I think [Clinton is] just doing it for the money, honestly,” Tyelor added about the Democratic presidential candidate.

Damon and Tyelor say they receive political information from what is posted online.

Could Obama Stay On?

We then spoke with Emalee G. and Chris W., who were not photographed for this piece.

Chris is a homeless veteran who served in the Marine Corps for 13 years.

“They’re both pieces of sh*t,” Chris told us. “I can’t support a liar and I can’t support a racist.”

“I served 13 years in the Marine Corps," he said. "I don’t vote and I see this country going to hell. For all the people we have in this country, these two [Clinton and Trump] are the only people they could find?”

Emalee mentioned she is a fan of President Obama, and jokingly proposed having him on a month-to-month contract. Chris said he likes a previous Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, for having served in the military and for being a prisoner of war.

A get out the vote volunteer supporting Hillary tries to sign people up in downtown Reno. Photo by Nico Colombant

Still Feeling the Bern

“I really liked that other guy,” Chris said.

“Oh Bernie!” Emalee said with a smile. “Yeah, he was awesome. Man, everybody’s pissed at him for dropping out. He would have won, too!”

Homelessness is the couple’s main sociopolitical issue they care about. For Chris, it’s homelessness and veterans.

“There are beds sometimes [in the shelter], but when it’s too full, we have to sleep outside,” Chris said. “I love my [veteran] benefits but it’s f*cked up [to sleep outside] because I still served my country best I can.”

“Either way, it’s going to be Trump or Clinton," Ricky Perez said. "I think whoever gets it, it’s going to be a f*cked up White House.” — “Either way, it’s going to be Trump or Clinton," Ricky Perez said. "I think whoever gets it, it’s going to be a f*cked up White House.”

Where do Homeless People Vote?

Lastly, we spoke with Ricky Perez, a 40-year-old man who has a walker to help him walk with his injured knee and hip.

Perez is registered to vote, bus since he is homeless and lives at the shelter, he does not know where his voting location will be on November 8.

“It’s a toss-up. I might just throw Hillary’s name in,” he said. “Her past with her husband Bill Clinton having been president, and her experience will make her better as a president.”

Social Security administration in the U.S. is the main issue he cares about for personal reasons. Perez has spine injuries and has received surgery on his knee and hip. He said he can use all the money he can get.

Perez on homelessness and the 2016 presidential election: “[Clinton and Trump are] not going to make it any better. They’ll just be adding to it.”

Perez does not have an optimistic outlook regarding homelessness, and how the election will affect homeless people. Although it is an important issue for him, he does not have hope for either candidate to help the situation.

Photos, Interviews and Reporting by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

Doug, From Abandoned Porch to Heated Room

Story and Photos by Jose Olivares for Our Town Reno

At the beginning of September, Our Town Reno published the story of Doug, a 72-year-old man who was living on a porch in downtown Reno.

Doug watches trippy TV in his new room, found and furnished by volunteers.

After the Our Town Reno story was published, Bob and Michelle Mello, the two founders of the Reno Sparks Homeless Veterans group, were able to secure a room for Doug in a three-bedroom apartment in Reno.

As we reported earlier this year, Doug’s living conditions were perilous, especially for a man his age. The 72-year-old suffers from emphysema and was previously living on a porch. On this porch, he was exposed to the elements and police, with only a few jackets and some blankets for protection.

Doug’s close neighbor and friend, Scott, would routinely visit him at the porch.

Doug gets to use a shared kitchen with housemates in downtown Reno, after being homeless on a porch.

A New Life Inside

Since Doug moved into the apartment one week ago, his life has changed. This is an opportune time as the colder weather begins to creep through Reno.

“[Living in the apartment] beats living outside,” Doug said. “Better being indoor than outdoors.”

When you walk into the apartment, the white walls and cleanliness of the home feels charming. Doug has his own room with a television, bed and plenty of blankets. He shares the apartment with Steve, a veteran who was previously homeless.

Michelle Mello, who helps homeless veterans find homes, said a woman would soon be occupying the third bedroom in the apartment.

Michelle Mello and Steve, a veteran, share a laugh in the apartment where Doug now lives.

Although Doug himself is not a veteran, Michelle helped him find and secure this room in the apartment.

“For the past five years, we started helping homeless in general,” Michelle said.

Her husband, Bob, is a veteran from the Vietnam War. With the work they were doing to help homeless people, they noticed a high number of homeless veterans.

“We didn’t understand why there were so many [homeless veterans] since the government is supposed to help them,” Michelle said.

Currently, their group is helping seven veterans and one senior citizen, Doug.

“Some people stay in the apartments, then leave on their own when they’re back up on their feet,” Michelle told us. “We’ve already known homeless need help but it’s more apparent now.”

The apartment has beautiful light and working appliances.

Reno Sparks Homeless Veterans provides food, clothes and hygiene products to people in the community experiencing homelessness. They use their own money and donations, to pay rent and to get furniture to turn the apartments into a home.

According to Michelle, once they house a person in one of the apartments, they will help them secure a job, Social Security or other income to help pay for the low-priced rent. Michelle says the people they help are free to stay in the apartments for however long they want.

The group is also currently accepting blankets, clothing and food for a donation drive on October 16th.

Doug gets a ride to go buy some cigarettes.

Although the organization’s work has been helping a great amount of people, Michelle also hopes the City of Reno would help more with homelessness in Reno.

“The City of Reno needs to start restructuring buildings and have low income housing,” Michelle said. “By pushing homeless from one corner to the next corner, they’re just sweeping [homelessness] aside. It’s not right.”

Steve, Doug’s roommate was listening to our conversation. He chimed in:

“If it weren’t for Bob and Michelle, I probably wouldn’t be here right now,” Steve said. It is clear he is appreciative of the Mellos for all their work.

Doug returns to his new apartment on his own after going shopping. Photo by Nico Colombant

Adjustments

Doug, however, still needs to adjust to his new living situation. It has only been a week since he moved into the apartment, but you can tell the transition is still ongoing. Doug misses his faithful friend Scott. When Scott previously visited the apartment, Doug was out, so they had not seen each other since his move.

Although he is appreciative of the roof over his head, you can tell he misses interacting with people out on the streets. Doug told Our Town Reno he usually spends most of the day inside the apartment. He wants to stay active.

“I want to do something to keep busy,” Doug said. “Sometimes I don’t know what to do because being in here, I have no one to talk to.”

Doug has access to a phone if he needs help.

Looking for Tasks and Helping

While living on the streets, Doug would clean windows to make some money. It is obvious he is looking for any small task where he can be productive. He told us he had previously vacuumed the apartment and has plans to clean the dust off the living room light structure. During our interview, he took the opportunity to take the trash out before leaving with Michelle to buy cigarettes.

Michelle is incredibly humble in regards to the incredible work she is doing for local homeless individuals in the Reno and Sparks area. You can tell she truly enjoys spending time and helping take care of the people whose lives she has touched.

“One day we crave there won’t be any homeless ever,” Michelle told us.