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“Streetwise Revisited”: 30 Years of Impactful Storytelling

Erin holding her Horsey, a gift from Mary Ellen Mark, at a theme park in the early 1980s. Photograph by Mary Ellen Mark.
Erin holding her Horsey, a gift from Mary Ellen Mark, at a theme park in the early 1980s. Photograph by Mary Ellen Mark.
Over three decades, Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell documented the life of Erin Blackwell. She'd left home at the age of 13 and started living on the streets of downtown Seattle. A photo exhibit and two films featuring her story can help us understand the many issues surrounding homelessness -- including the reality that it’s hard to navigate life without stable housing, a caring family, or strong social support. Firesteel volunteer Peggy Liao reflects on the "Streetwise Revisited" project, and invites you to join "Create Change," an interactive day of art, inspiration and civic engagement this Saturday.

“I’ve Always Been on Edge Because of Not Making Enough Money”

Cherie Moore has lived in the same apartment for a year and a half, but she always worries that she won't be able to pay next month's rent.
Cherie Moore has lived in the same apartment for a year and a half, but she always worries that she won't be able to pay next month's rent.
Six years ago, Cherie Moore was featured on the front page of the Seattle Times. A large photo shows Cherie in the front seat of an old Ford truck, her hand over her mouth, worry in her eyes. Her teenage son, Cody, is in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead. Everything they own is in the vehicle, their only shelter. As the story was reported, Cherie and Cody connected with resources and moved into an apartment. Their struggle with homelessness didn't end there, though.

“I Want People to Have a Voice”: Volunteers Lead Voter Registration Project

(From left) April Hill, Jackie Jasso-Martinez and Gabriela Picazo have spent much of their autumn helping community members register to vote.
(From left) April Hill, Jackie Jasso-Martinez and Gabriela Picazo have spent much of their autumn helping community members register to vote.
Registering to vote online is the easiest way to ensure that your voice is heard in November's election. With the online registration deadline coming up on Monday (!), we wanted to remind you to not only register, but also to spread the word. Need a little inspiration? Read the story of four amazing women who are helping their communities register to vote.

Tent Life: Reflections on Experiencing Homelessness as a Child

As a child, Barbara Abelhauser lived in a tent with her family. Today she is a bridge operator and writer. Photo by Amy Sassenberg courtesy Barbara Abelhauser.
As a child, Barbara Abelhauser lived in a tent with her family. Today she is a bridge operator and writer. Photo by Amy Sassenberg courtesy Barbara Abelhauser.
"There was a complicated set of circumstances that caused us to live in a tent, but laziness wasn’t one of them. I have worked since I was 10 years old. There wasn’t a single member of my family that wouldn’t have moved heaven and earth to get out of our situation." Barbara Abelhauser shares what it was like to spend much of her childhood living in a tent with her family.
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