Homelessfor the Holidays
Armand
Armand plays guitar on the corner of Broadway and Ninth in hopes of seeing a lot of people in a busy part of town. He said he plays music for himself, though, not for other people. Photo by Samantha Stokes.
After playing guitar everyday, Armand has developed calluses all over his fingers. Not only can he play guitar, but he can also sing, and many people stop to listen. Photo by Jessica Welsh.
Armand always finds himself back in Columbia because he likes the community. He has family across Missouri. Photo by Jessica Welsh.
Armand's colorful sign and crockpot tip jar grab attention from the street. "I'm all out of compliments, but I still have good vibes," Armand said. Photo by Jessica Welsh.
Armand has lived all across the midwest, including Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. He's been in Columbia on and off for the last six years, but only picked up playing the guitar eighteen months ago. He taught himself.
Kevin
"I'm here on this earth for a reason, just with my feet- my own two feet are taking me on the path He has for me."
"I came to the streets to get over stage fright. It's kinda like standing out here naked."
Kevin, 24, was homeless for six years, but two years ago he recieved Social Security and now he lives in low-income housing. After being taken from his parents when he was seven, he spent the rest of his life in foster care until he aged out of the system. He suffers from severe epilepsy, among many other heath issues. He calls himself a "miracle baby." Kevin struggles to find work, so he asks for money on the streets in hopes that he can pay for a surgery to treat his epilepsy and potentially save his life. Although he no longer needs to stay at Room at the Inn, he still frequently attends Loaves & Fishes, a local soup kitchen at Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church.
