Cherry Street Mission

Kenny Lampkin at the South Side Community Center in Toledo, Ohio.

On Novemeber 16th our class went to the Cherry Street Mission to photograph the services and facilities they provide to the homeless. Cheri Guthrie and I went to the South Side Community Center prior to the class meeting at the Mission. We arrived at 8:00am to take pictures of the free breakfast they serve. I got really nervous as we were going into the place.  I kept thinking that if I  were in that postion I would not want someone taking my picture.
I sat down at a table with my camera in sight. I met Kenny and Domanick. We talked about the breakfast, why I was there, and taking pictures. Kenny was really excited for me to take his picture and smiled every time I told him how good he looked.
I sat with them for a half hour and the time became less about a school assignment and getting pictures. I learned a lot about Kenny and his life. We had a lot of parrells. Pastor Jerry Howard was preaching to a table behind us. Every few minutes Kenny would say "did you hear that?", referring to something that the Pastor had said.  I took a lot of pictures that day along with Kenny's address. He wanted some of the pictures I took and will have them within a week.
This experience was enlightening and life changing for me. I realize how close all of us are just a few bad events away from being in their position.