I met Carlos on Fifth Avenue, right outside my CrossFit box. The temperature in the box was probably in the high 70s though it felt hotter because we had just endured a “difficult” workout. The temperature outside, where Carlos sat cross legged, hoping that people would grant him mercy and help him, was 20F. He had been out there for hours, bundled up to shield himself from the arctic conditions but when I introduced myself and offered my hand, he took off his glove and gladly shook mine.
He was happy to talk but he didn’t want his picture taken so I asked him if I could take a picture of him in profile, in a way that would that would hide his identity. He assented. It shouldn’t be surprising that a human being would have pride and would not want to be recorded or seen as a supplicant. It baffles me why anyone would think that any human being would consciously choose to live on the streets if they had better alternatives. It would seem to be fairly obvious that iving on the street means you have no other choice.
His sign says “No Stories” because he won’t tell any stories or lies to get money. He’s just a man asking for a hand. That’s all.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I’m from New York, born and raised. My parents are from Puerto Rico and they are both there. They’re separated. I have no family in New York.
Q: How long have been homeless?
A: For a few months, about four months or so.
Q: Have you been homeless before?
A: Yes, once or twice. But I always get back on my feet.
Q: How did you become homeless?
A: I was working the delivery service of a Chinese restaurant but then the restaurant closed because the owners wanted to move back to China.
Q: Where do you sleep at night?
A: Sometimes I go to the Rescue Mission, a shelter at 90 Lafayette. It’s a decent place, I feel safe there. Curfew is at 6PM so you have to check in by then otherwise you can’t get in and you have to leave by 8AM. It’s very crowded.
Q: Do you know any of the other homeless people around?
No, not really. Some of them come up to me and offer me cigarettes or needles but I stay away. I’ve been clean for three years. I stay away from drugs.
Q: If God said He would grant you anything you asked for, what would it be?
[He smiled broadly] Eternal life! I would to be with Him! God helps me out everyday and gives me guidance. I read the bible every day. Right now, I’m reading the Book of Job.
Q: What about on a more earthly scale, what would you want from God?
Land or property.
Q: What would you want people to know about you?
A: I’m trying to make it. I’m working on getting my high school diploma. I just got out of a GED class now. It was from 9 to 2.
I’m doing nothing illegal. I’m doing it the right way. I like to work with my hands. When I have my diploma, I’ll look for job working in a warehouse or something like that. I go to the library to use the computers because I’m working on my resume. I should have my high school diploma by summer and then I can start looking for work.
Q: So you have hope?
A: Yes, I do. You gotta be positive.