Last year, my friend Ben developed a deep passion for photography. Influenced, I too began to research cameras and start photographing things on trips and in my daily life. With this shared interest, we decided to use it to make a meaningful impact on the homeless community in town. With interviews and articles, we aim to capture the heartbreaking reality of the homeless population through film photography. In September, we visited Living Hope Church, a place that offers free food and a safe space for anyone, particularly those who are homeless, to worship God. We conducted our first interview with Mr. Keith.

 

Eddie Elijah Keith was a truck driver for nearly 30 years until he became a victim of life’s random curve balls. When his girlfriend’s granddaughter was born with a hole in her heart, he graciously stepped forward to help. He sent money so his girlfriend and her daughter could stay in a hotel near the children’s hospital. Unfortunately, soon after, he crashed into a pole with his truck, that ended up destroying a chunk of fiberglass from the truck fender. This resulted in him being fired by his boss. He took this as a sign to quit trucking, so he applied for a social security paycheck which was $1184 a month. This was not enough to maintain his lifestyle prior to the crash, however, since his rent was already $1045 a month.

 

Now, he faced a choice: he could continue sending money to his girlfriend or pay rent. He admirably chose to continue sending money. Three weeks later, his unemployment check came in. So, he decided to send that money to his girlfriend. He sent $600 of the $900 he received from unemployment and $800 of the $1184 he received from his social security paycheck. He hoped that with time, her granddaughter would heal so he could work on saving his money and moving back into his apartment.

 

Sadly, the operation to repair the baby’s heart didn’t go as planned. This meant another surgery, and more money for Eddie to send. The baby caught an infection and high fevers, which increased her stay at the hospital. Fortunately, she was able to come home on June 26. Currently, she is back at home with her mother and grandma. Eddie, on the other hand, is currently living in his car–usually staying in a vacant parking lot. 

 

Eddie dreams of a life where he can have the luxury of a permanent home with his girlfriend. Currently, they are both trying to save up for an RV so they can travel across California and the U.S. together. Unfortunately, his girlfriend can no longer work since she severely injured her hip after a bad fall. Eddie can’t seem to find anywhere that will hire him. So, he spends his days sending in job applications and on Sundays, he comes to Living Hope Church to find solace in his faith and pray for a better life. The Living Hope Church is a safe haven for people like Eddie, where worship, praise, and meals are provided. They get their funding from donations and the 3 Korean elders themselves who run the church.