Extending Hope (in-progress)
The transition of out of homelessness.
Lana Howard sleeps on C street in Alkali flats, Sacramento, Calif. on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. “If someone is around my spot I won’t sleep there. I’ll go downtown. I don’t like being around other people,” said Howard.
Two shelters provide Sacramento’s homeless a place of respite both short-term and long-term.
Maryhouse is daily women’s shelter that provides services such as mail, resources, and showers. Sister Nora’s Place provides housing for as long as their guests need and build a community among the women who live there with a focus on helping them get their own housing.
Tameka Shepherd sits outside of Maryhouse, a daily women's homeless shelter, in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. On March 3, 2016, Shepherd gave brith to her daughter, Charlotte, in Kaiser hospital in Sacramento. "I woke up after giving birth and she was gone. I guess CPS thought I didn’t have a stable home or good enough place to keep her," said Shepherd. For the past four years, Shepherd has been living on the streets, and she has trouble keeping a cell phone. Shepherd is trying to get housing. Shepherd is looking for her daughter.
A woman and Linda Price, right, sit outside of Maryhouse after receiving daily services with no where else to go.
Gloria works on getting things crossed off her list of things to do. One of the requirements of being in Sister Nora’s Place is that the ladies have goals to keep improving and enlightening their lives.
Donna's wears crocs while she works in the garden. She lived down by the river for 27 years. "I used to be called Barefoot Donna. They couldn't get me to wear shoes, but then I asked for a pair that make your feet feel close to the ground. Now I only wear crocs."
“I had to shave it off when I was in jail, and now, I’ve been growing it out 38 years - going on forever,“ said Donna. “Once I was uhhh washing my hair..in the fountain out back and I knocked a guy down because I hit him with my wet locks heee.“
Lana combs her hair after taking a shower at Maryhouse. Lana started coming to the daily shelter in 1996 after she was laid off from her job for having a heart problem. “The doctor told closed the door on me and told me no more work because of my heart, it’s only got one working valve, so I’ve been coming here ever since,” said Howard.
The ladies of Sister Nora’s Place take part in morning reflection. Every morning, they have a meditation to help them be thoughtful about their journey throughout the day.
Tamee Kinsler moves out of Sister Nora’s Place. Kinsler got on social security and was appointed a case worker. She will be living in her own apartment with four roommates. "I'm just glad I got my life back on track. But, I am not looking to make friends at this new place. I made all my friends here. These ladies saved me," said Kinsler.