REFLECTION ON WALK #22 (11/2/14) – from McKinley and Fruit, through neighborhoods, across the tracks, through a opening in the fence, along Golden State Highway, under 99, along the frontage road by Rescue the Children, back over 99 on Clinton, and through neighborhoods.
For some of the streets, they are getting ready for big trash day. Huge piles of furnishings, childrens toys, household items, and trash.
Walkers commented on the financial insecurity of houses and apartments with this kind of trash. One pile had 9 couches. Couches are expensive, but now tossed to the curb. Walkers talked about short-term living circumstances, or transience. Many piles had childrens’ toys, water toys. Clearly, children are living in these circumstances. We walked by Fremont Elementary and Jane Addams Elementary Schools.
Neighborhoods are spotted with well-cared for homes, possibly owned for decades or generations. Others neglected, and numerous boarded up homes Faith in Community (FIC), Fresno.
We met Arlene who was getting her girls in the car for church. Her teenagers were fighting over who got to ride in the front seat. We met Don, David, and Annette who had slept under the overhang at a closed-up recycling center along Golden State Highway. Don said he is waiting for his disability income to start. We met Ray who is selling items from his front porch, including a stack of used mattresses for $10 each. Ray asked for prayer for him and his wife Lee. Ray is recoving with injuries from an accident. We met Grace and Nellie who were selling pomegranites, pears, and permissons in their front yard.
The primary insights shared in the reflections after the walk were about the financial insecurity of so many people. Living on the edge, day after day.
Julian, a reporter and cameraman from KSEE 24, joined us for a while. He walked through neighorboods with us, and put a mic on us. We reminded him these were silent walks. He left right before we crawled through the fence onto Golden State Highway to meet Don, David, and Annette.
These are our sisters and brothers living in this shared space of Fresno. All of our lives and our futures, whether we like it or not, are tired up together.
See the photo album of pictures to see Don, David, Grace, Nellie, and Arlene.
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