He told us his name was Ray Casados but on the street they called him Rah-Rah. He was a young tatted up heroin addict who was spending 90 days at the Hoy Recovery Program in Velarde, New Mexico, hoping he could finally kick the habit that had him by the balls, and move forward with a new life as a barber. He hailed from nearby … Continue reading My Week in Detox
Ndagire Sarah walked the red dirt carpet in her perky hairdo and a beautiful blue and white gown. She carried herself like a rich lady in a gomesi, the formal dress of women in Uganda. When I saw her I was overcome with tears of joy. I had met Sarah in 2006 when she was so sick with HIV/AIDS that she could hardly breathe. She … Continue reading Deed for Life
Darlene and Jacob. Teddy. Craig and Margie. All are the new faces of poverty. Six months ago each had jobs, homes and middle class incomes to support themselves and their families. Now two families are homeless and the other teeters on the brink. Their falls have been fast and hard. Darlene has a college degree and worked in the mortgage industry until October. Her husband … Continue reading New Face of Homelessness aka Economy Sucks Journal #2 2.7.09
Ever since I traveled to Kampala, Uganda in 2006 I have wanted to tell the story about the village BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) was creating with its members. On our first visit we learned that affordable housing was a dream for the women who were trying to lift themselves out of extreme life crushing poverty. Almost all wished for a home that they would own rather than rent. They … Continue reading Friendship Village
Vicky Collins Online 