Recovering Humans
Recovering Humans is a photographic project paired with personal biographies, documenting individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration, homelessness, addiction, and other forms of displacement. It centers dignity, resilience, and the complexity of recovery through lived experience and visual storytelling.
Recovering Humans
Recovering Humans: Alma (2018)
Alma requested that I not share her story but graciously allowed her photograph to be shared.
Recovering Humans: Ann (2017)
"Being a single mother of a twelve year old I had to make a decision. I had to leave an emotionally abusive family situation. I had to provide a healthier environment for my son. Shortly after that we lost our only means of transportation so I couldn't get to work. We didn't have any money so we lost our apartment too. We're currently in the temporary church housing thru a non-profit. I'm applying and interviewing for possible jobs. I try to remain optimistic that I'll find a job soon. Plus, we're still trying to find us a place to live."
Recovering Humans: Austin (2018)
"I got arrested when I was about 16 because a girl accused me of rape. I didn't rape her but they found that out she was 16 and I was 18. So, I only got probation. Been arrested quite a bit since then mostly for disturbing the peace. Last time was with my Ex I got angry and put a whole in the wall. She was scared I'd hurt her but I wasn't raised to be like that. I'd never hurt a woman. But, I got hauled away anyway and was given 18 months probation. Should have taken the 60 days in jail 'cause at least it would have been over by now. But I had to move out so I was sleeping in my truck and crashing at a friends place. Got tired of that so I told my PO I was homeless and he helped me connect with a NPO that would help me. I was able to get an apartment. I work at a fast food place but I have to ride my bike. I used to have a truck, the one I slept in, but my sister had my truck with all my stuff at her place. She saw the truck wasn't registered and registered it in her name. Then she sold it and I lost the truck and all my stuff. Plus she wanted to charge me the $250 for the registration. I'm not proud of how I used to be, but I'm not like that anymore."
Recovering Humans: Brian (2019)
"In 1986 I was 17 years old and did a pickup for a friend of mine. Walked into the basement and saw presses and cookware. They were making crack. I got my friends stuff and the guy running the operation asked me if I'd like to try some. I said: 'Sure, I'm game for anything'. That was it. I was addicted. After that I had a $100-$500 a day need. I'd shoplift and occasionally steal things but I never hurt anyone. That's a line I just could not cross. You can look at my record. At one point I had to do 5 dime bags of crack just to be able to function.
When I was using, I separated myself from my family. I didn't want my family seeing that. But it had to be hard on them not knowing if I was alive or dead or where I was. Same with girlfriends. Eventually they'd have enough and leave.
I've been arrested about 15 times and each time I was a model inmate. I'd do all the work, programs and other things they'd ask me to do. I'd make plans on what I would do when I got out... I'd have a plan! But, I'd always end up using again whether it was the same day or a couple months later. Until this last time. Funny, I didn't do any of the prison stuff, I just knew I wasn't going to go back to that lifestyle. I got tired of it and now I'm about 15 months clean. Oh, I'm still an addict and always will be, but I'm positive I won't go back.
Guess the reason is that I miss my family and I don't want to hurt them anymore. Also, I miss having a someone special to share my life with. I want that back. I'm currently seeing a wonderful lady and she knows about my past. Just the other day, I picked a bunch of wildflowers and arranged them real nice and gave them to her. She loved them. Later I gave her a card just to let her know how I feel about her and she said it's the first time anyone's given her a card for anything. It's nice to be able to do nice things for someone again and not have to focus on my addiction.
The people helping me are great and I love them all. I think this time with the help they're giving me, I'm going to make it. Not currently working but I'm doing speaking engagements talking about the opiate problems we have. About 250,000 people died from opiates in the last 4 years. That's more than in all of Vietnam."
Recovering Humans: Christine (2018)
Christine requested that I not share her story but graciously allowed her photograph to be shared.
Recovering Humans: Christy (2019)
"I'm a mother of three children. One which has special needs. Two years ago I got divorced and we were living in an apartment. Around then I was diagnosed with cancer and lupus. At the same time the manager of my apartment building started stalking me. I had to file a complaint against him and that's when we lost the apartment. The lease wasn't renewed by the rental company.
Being weak from undergoing chemotherapy and unable to operate my party business we couldn't get another apartment so I ended up in the temporary church housing. I love it! Yes, it keeps me off the streets but I also get to sleep in God's house. I just love God!
With what little child support I get and with my disability check from W-2 I'm trying to save up the first month's rent and security deposit for a new apartment. So, I continue to look for permanent housing while undergoing my weekly chemotherapy."
Recovering Humans: Courtney (2021)
"My Dad was put in prison forever and my Mom was an addict. When I was about 5 years old, Mom left and we were all put in foster care. I got a great foster family. I consider them my family rather than my biological family. Except my twin brother. I'm still in touch with him but even we don't get along that well. When I was 15 I tore my ACL and the doctor put me on Oxycontin. I was on that for three years and then he took my prescription away. Ended up buying it on the streets until a friend introduced me to heroin. It was easier to get and a whole lot cheaper and the high was better. Didn't much care what people thought of me when I was young. I ended up being real violent. I was friends with a small group of kids who were mostly geeks and couldn't protect themselves very well. I ended up being their protector. Sacrificed myself quite a bit to keep them from getting beat up and abused. Never really told anyone I was gay in school. Maybe I used drugs to make things go away. I don't know. But I did "come out" later and I don't think anyone was real surprised. Met a girl when I was about 17. She was an alcoholic but she ended up getting hooked too. Lived with her for 5 years. I really loved her. Still hurts a little when I think about her. Been in and out of Juvie my whole life because of the violence and drugs. I wouldn't listen to anybody. Hardly went to regular school but my foster parents got me in an alternative school so I did finish high school. But, I do suffer from anxiety attacks so it's been difficult to hold a job. Hard to work when you're afraid to leave the house. That's why I got a cat, he's a licensed therapy animal. He does help with my anxiety. Therapists do try to help but most of them are full of it. Ended up homeless but with the help of this non-profit, I got a small place in a shelter. An old friend came to visit and I ended up relapsing and in the hospital with an overdose. Normally that'd be it but they agreed to help me again. I'm not in the old place, but I still have a place that's mine. The urge to use is really powerful sometimes. Been clean for two months, but it's still tough especially when there are two people in another apartment using. When that happens I just hug my cat. Like I said, he helps."
Recovering Humans: Dan (2020)
"I was a jock in high school. Played football but loved track. Especially the high jump. I was pretty good at it too. We would smoke weed but because of my bi-polar disorder, drugs affected me differently than anyone else. I'd get a feeling like I was an angel or a demon. Thought the world was crumbling around me and that would set me off. Tried a couple colleges but only lasted a month or so. Ended up hitchhiking to Florida. I was homeless so we'd get into beach houses. Wasn't hard as most were unlocked. Ended up getting arrested a couple times. Got out and went to Minnesota to see my Dad. My brother then introduced me to cocaine. It didn't react well with my bi-polar disorder but I got hooked. You can't help but get hooked when you smoke cocaine. Stole a van and went to see my Mom in Appleton. She didn't want anything to do with me and that set me off. Robbed a hotel and then a gas station near Milwaukee. My Mom read about the robbery at the hotel and knew it was me. She went to the cops with my picture. They found me pretty quick. For the hotel & gas station I got 16 years. Did a lot of artwork to keep myself sane and ended up with thousands of these drawings. They all have a quote or some scripture in them. Got on medication for my bi-polar disorder and that helped. When I got out my Parole Officer helped me find a job. Found a nice apartment and now I'm working with a gallery to sell my artwork. Still trying to adjust."
Recovering Humans: Jessica (2017)
"My girls are identical twins who are two years. We got into the church shelter in September. We had been living with their father when he got arrested and put into prison. We couldn't afford the apartment on our own so we lost the place.
Fortunately it wasn't for too long.
A family member helped us out so we moved in around October. Another family member has their own business so I was able to get hired full time by them. I will always be grateful for our time with the shelter program. It kept us off the streets and kept us safe."
Recovering Humans: Karen (2017)
"I was living with Son and his wife along with their two children. I thought everything was going well. One day my son told me I had to move out. He said the house was getting too crowded. I had nowhere to go and I was 62 years old and not working. I got into the shelter program with Family Promise and after two months in shelter, she was accepted into the permanent housing program. These are nice apartments at the Family Promise Center. When I first moved in, I was denied social security benefits because of my health. I was able to appeal that decision and got the decision reversed. Now I am getting monthly social security benefits in addition to retroactive back pay.
I really wanted to give back to the community that helped me so much so I started volunteering with Family Promises shelter program for single women. I'm also able to spend time with her grandchildren."
Recovering Humans: Valarie (2021)
"In High School I had a friend & lover named Tom. He and I would have to sneak around just to see each other because my parents said he would never amount to anything. My senior year I got pregnant and he became a heavy drug user. He had warned me not to let the pregnancy show or he would tell people I had been messing around. Then he completely broke things off with me. I left home the day after graduation to be with my father in Wyoming where our baby girl was adopted.
Tom was arrested for drugs shortly after graduation. After his parents posted bond he left to be with me when our daughter was born, jumping bond. My father had him arrested. After giving our daughter up for adoption, I attended college and I vowed that I would find my daughter one day. I was determined to pursue an education so that when I found her she would be proud of me. My sophomore year I went to see Tom in prison. There I give him a gold ring I had made, saying: “If you ever want to marry me, you better get your shit straight or you may have to sell it." He told me to leave. I kept at my education and graduated with 2 degrees.
I met my husband who was an art student of mine. We were together for 25 years. We had 3 children. His oil career led us to live in the Middle East for a time and then went to Russia where he set up infrastructure after the fall of the Soviet Union. I would travel there often but wanted my kids to grow up American and refused offers to have my own school there. After many moves and many teaching assignments, I landed my own art room and chose to stay here and let him travel. That worked well but was busy with 3 active kids. In our 21st year of marriage I received a call from a Russian woman. She left a message on the answering machine stating I must realize my husband was hers now. My kids heard the message before I did. That affair went on four years and he often brought her back here. I gave him a divorce and kept the kids who stayed with me all thru college. I worked full time and supplemented at two schools also writing art text books during the summer. All the time my thoughts and love for Tom remained ever present in my heart.
During Covid I was able to locate my daughter and her son. After locating her, I became obsessed with finding Tom. So, I assembled a 50 year high school class reunion committee with the sole purpose of finding Tom. Very much off the grid, we located him and I sent him a card which he responded to! After that we were constantly texting and quickly realized how often we had thought of one another. I jumped on a plane to see him. He apologized many times and said I was the best woman he had ever known. We were still magically in love and within 3 days he’d bought an engagement ring for me and proposed. We planned a wedding and were married this past September.
Tom was thin and frail but I knew my love could fix anything. Sadly I was wrong. He died 8 days after our wedding. Unfortunately he didn't have a will and the attorney general disavowed our marriage. I continue to pray that I’ll have his name. I've cried nonstop for 7 months. Read a lot books & poetry to come to terms with my grief. I know that somehow I’ll figure out the rest of my life with the support of my children. Life goes on, but grief has never been deeper in my life."
Recovering Humans: Raven (2020)
"Me and the kids moved here because I wanted my kids to go to a better school. Thought I was doing the right thing. Little did I know.
Got here about 6 years ago and I was working full time for a home-care business and working part time at a fast-food place. Had to do that so we could pay the rent and bills. Just me and the four kids. We lived in a place and had this downstairs neighbor. We did not get along. One day she called me The "N" word three times in a row and I punched her. Got an assault charge for that but no time. After that it got worse.
I had to work my 3 hour shift at the fast-foot place and the next thing I know I'm getting arrested for leaving my kids home. Got arrested for neglect and my kids were put in foster care. Only for a week and I got them back. We ended up getting evicted and homeless. Found a place that would help us get off the streets. They got us in some church shelters. You stay at a church for a week then move to another one. They helped me get help and a permanent place to live.
We're doing okay. I'm working at a gas station but I need a better job. Things are still too tight."
Recovering Humans: Michael (2026)
“After day of praying and contemplating I have decided to tell the world my story.
One thing I learned is Anonymity, so it's difficult for me to open up like this.
I was bullied and neglected growing up which led to my addictions. I got sober on Dec 2, 1986. Went to an AA meeting where I stood up and claimed one day of sobriety. My aunt led me to Christ. I learned that God is the answer to all my questions and life choices. It took me 11 more years to make Lord Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. March 7, 1997, I was Born Again! Through the process I learned that I needed to come clean with my life. This forced me to be honest with my criminal activities. In 1998 I was arrested for sexual assault and received a 10-year sentence. I started my life behind bars.
Thanks to the Hawaii penal system, I have traveled to Minnesota, and Arizona. Hawaii’s DOC then transferred me back to the Island where I finished my sentence.
After prison I played both guitar and bass with various Praise and Worship teams honoring Jesus. Music from various groups and individuals filled my play list. Many different churches and denominations attended. In May of 2023 during one of the Church services I attended I had my encounter with Christ my Lord. No bells or whistles, no rushes of wind but a still small voiced that said, “Drop the Rock, and Enough”. These two phrases and the impact it has on my life today is what motivates me to move forward.
Currently working full time as the executive chef at a catering company. Been doing this for some time and I just love my job.
I have been homeless since July 2023. Looking for a house to rent within the city limits is taxing to say the least. But God is still on the throne and is looking out for me. As of this day, I am still homeless and church-less. God in His grace and mercy found a way for me to cope with these circumstances. One day I will be in the right place doing the right thing for Jesus. Until then I wait.
To the individuals that are dealing with addictions, homelessness and doubt about your next step, Cry Out To Jesus. Seek Him while He may be found.”
Recovering Humans: Racquel (2018)
"We were renting a duplex for $750 a month but the windows were Plexiglas you couldn't see out of and they leaked real bad so it was very cold. Cost about $250 a month to heat the place. Neighborhood was terrible too. You know it's bad when you see a 15 year old standing on the roof of the house across the street holding a AK. I couldn't let my kids out to play and they had to sleep in the tub to keep safe. Never really planned on living with my middle's father but after we lost the apartment we had to stay with him. We left him after he tried to sell her. We packed up and moved to North Carolina to stay with a friend. That ended quickly so we got in the U-haul and moved back to Wisconsin.
On the way back I got pulled over for speeding. I was tired and with 3 kids in the cab of the U-Haul I just wanted to get back as soon as possible. So, I guess I was driving a little too fast. Got a ticket and had to appear in court. Well, we got back to Wisconsin and I didn't have any money to get back to North Carolina to appear in court. I wrote the judge but they wouldn't waive the personal appearance so now I've got a warrant for me in North Carolina. All over a speeding ticket. Should never have gone down there.
When we got back we moved in with my Mother and her boyfriend. He ended up being abusive with my kids. We had to get out so now we're homeless. This is our second rotation thru the church program. I work full time and am trying to save up for our own place to live but it's expensive out here."