Feather editor Sam Cross, ’19, and photo editor, Cayla Rivas, ’18, travel downtown to speak to people about homelessness in the community, Feb. 3. 

Passing through trash laden streets while homeless tents filled sidewalks, Cross and Rivas ventured to G Street and Santa Clara in downtown Fresno. The pair met a Fresno resident, Alex (last name not disclosed) who shared his experience living homeless after the passing of his parents. Alex currently resides in an apartment near the downtown area, but frequents homeless neighborhoods, visiting friends and offering support. 

“I walked or traveled with friends. It only takes eight hours to walk from here (Fresno) to Sanger. When you have nothing to do, you can do whatever you want,” Alex said. “The Poverello house helped me when I first was out here going into the sheds and then feeding me. You can’t starve out here, you have to be dumb to starve here. People throw food at you.”

The Poverello house’s mission is to enrich the lives and spirits of who pass through their shelter. You can support the people of the community by volunteering in the several different programs the Poverello house has to offer.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2017-18.

This author can be reached via twitter @RivasCayla via email: Cayla Rivas.