Oh goodness. Why did I forget to pass out the permission slips for our field trip on Tuesday so you would have more than one day to remember to bring it back? I'm sorry. Please don't forget to get the slip signed tonight and bring it with you to class on Thursday. Make a reminder in your phone or whatever you need to do. You can also bring some money if you'd like to get a treat at either Hurts Donut, The Coffee Ethic, or Kingdom Coffee, all of which are near the gallery we will visit.
So that you may be better informed going into our visit to photographer Randy Bacon's gallery, please visit his website and especially take a look at his projects 7 Billion Ones and The Road We Call Home. Think about some questions you could ask Mr. Bacon about his craft, the people he's met, the stories he's told through photos, what he might be up to next.
Please don't be late to class on Thursday in case our bus gets here early. If you need to stay behind with Mrs. R across the hall while we are gone, please let me know.
Edited after returning from the field trip:
I hope you all found our visit to Randy's gallery both inspiring and meaningful. If you'd like to go back to the gallery on your own sometime for a closer look, visiting hours are 1-5 Tuesday-Saturday, later on the First Friday of each month. Some of you might be compelled to action by the stories Randy shared. He suggested reaching out to Gathering Friends for the Homeless and following the group on Facebook. I specifically noticed this post and thought this might be a way for us to help as a class...What if we tried to gather some of these things in the next couple of weeks?
hello friends!
we have a lot of folks asking what our needs are or how they can help and we are at that pivotal change of seasons moment where we have a lot of things left from last year and not enough of some things. we also realize that some of you want to gather, some of you want to purchase and some of you like to cook. don't worry, we've got needs for all y'all!! 
<3
<3
GATHERING/ CLOSET RAIDING:
- men's coats
-men's jackets
-men's jeans waist size 29-34.
-men's flannel shirts
-women's coats (please no fancy ones!)
-women's long sleeve shirts
-large back packs (huge this time of year as the clothes friends wear take up more space).
- men's coats
-men's jackets
-men's jeans waist size 29-34.
-men's flannel shirts
-women's coats (please no fancy ones!)
-women's long sleeve shirts
-large back packs (huge this time of year as the clothes friends wear take up more space).
-sleeping bags. when the cold weather snaps, this is the first request for most of our campers. blankets and light weight bags don't cut it in 40 degree temps and less.
-thermal long underwear (mostly bottoms). these are $6.93 at walmart and a HUGE request by the time late november rolls around . huge huge huge. we try to get anyone living outdoors a set of bottoms and tops. right now we have a good amount of tops because i bought every single one at 3 walmarts on clearance in the late spring 
:)
:)
-thick socks. always
PURCHASING
-$5 mc donalds or subway gift cards
-mens and womens socks
-large back packs (because we really need them)
-AAA batteries
-9x13 ish tarps
-$20 gas cards to Kum and Go or Conoco
-bus passes in any form!!
-Walmart gift cards
Please leave a comment on this post today answering all of the following:
1: something specific Randy said that has stuck with you
2: one of the photos/stories that stood out to you
3: if you would be interested in doing something to help/what you'd be willing to do/bring
i remember that randy said that one of the guys said that the homeless were never recognized when they died and then only a few weeks later that guy died. randy made sure to recognize him. I would love to donate some stuff to help the homeless. I read a story of a 51 year old that was pregnant.
ReplyDelete1. Something that Randy said that stuck with me was that we walk by the homeless and never say hello and that we act scared and avoid them at all costs, but maybe saying hello or just smiling would make their day and make them feel a little less forgotten.
ReplyDelete2. The story that stood out to me the most was the story the Randy told about the guy who said the most difficult thing about being homeless is losing his friends and that when they pass they are not at all recognized, instead they are just forgotten. And then that man passed away and Randy posted it about it and it got back to his daughter who was saddened to hear about her fathers death, but happy to hear that he was a great and caring person.
3. I would absolutely be interested in doing this, and I was just brainstorming ideas to gather things for the homeless. As president of the Kare Team, if I can get the Kare Team involved we could gather so much more for the homeless to prepare for the coming winter months.
I like how Randy emphasized that he's made no more bad decisions than the people who are homeless, it's just that they made bad decisions at the wrong times. The photo of the woman with her two children really struck me because I can't imagine raising children on the street. And absolutely I would be willing to bring some things!
ReplyDelete1: Randy had mentioned that all most of the people he photographs want is unity. That really stuck out to me because that's just not something that you'd really expect from a person who has nothing.
ReplyDelete2: I read a story from a woman named Maranda. She spoke of her husband and how he always did his best to provide for his son, even when he couldn't always provide for him and his wife. He had lost his job and ended up killing himself. It was a very heart-wrenching story that really touched me.
3.I would love to go through a lot of my family's old clothes and stuff to donate to those who really need it. I'm sure my parents keep a lot of things in the garage that can really help.
1. One thing i enjoyed what Randy had said was how homeless people are people and that the deaths of the homeless need to be recognized. We as people should acknowledge our prejudice and fix the issue.
ReplyDelete2. The person that stood out to me the most is Jason. Jason's words were so beautifully spoken and he really gave me insight on his living situation.
3. I would love to help! I would be down for buying gift cards for these lovely people!
Something Randy said that tattooed itself into my brain was, "We absolutely believe that everyone has a story." It's absolutely true. At the beginning of this class, I said I got my inspiration from air ports because of all the different stories there, but Randy turned the light on and I kinda realized that when we avoid people in the street, we're avoiding a whole story. A story he told that also touched me, was about the man without arms. He thought that it was over for him, but he found power in himself to run, with all his might. And I would definitely love to do something to help.
ReplyDeleteIt stuck with me when Randy told us about how the homeless people are never recognized and there was a man who said the worst part of being homeless was that when his friends die and they never get recognized and I love that now Randy is recognizing them. A story that stood out to me was about a man named Tim who said a broken heart made him homeless when his wife died and he said he was happier on the streets than home alone. I would absolutely be very interested in helping in whatever way I can.
ReplyDelete1. Randy said that we don't know these peoples stories so we shouldn't judge them, and I couldn't agree more. So now I will look at them in a better light.
ReplyDelete2.I ready a story that a guy had a huge house, 2 trucks, a camper, 9 yards, and basically everything. But he gave all that up to be homeless because after his wife died he just felt alone.But now he is happy to be homeless, and this showed me that even though people are homeless, it's not like they haven't done anything with their life. They are good and super neat people!
3. I can for sure get some gift cards, or old clothes! This experience has made me want to help, and show them that I do care about them, and that these homeless people are still human too, and that we love them.
one thing that Randy said that stuck out to me was when he said that the homeless people he met were so caring and smart. The story was the one about John and how he went to the salvation army for help and how he knows and understands what he did to end up there. What I would be interesting in doing would be going out there and trying to get them the help they need to get back on there feet. Sometimes that's all they really need is someone to help them when they really need it.
ReplyDeleteone thing that Randy said that stuck out to me was when he said that the homeless people he met were so caring and smart. The story was the one about John and how he went to the salvation army for help and how he knows and understands what he did to end up there. What I would be interesting in doing would be going out there and trying to get them the help they need to get back on there feet. Sometimes that's all they really need is someone to help them when they really need it.
ReplyDeleteSomething Randy said that really stuck with me is when we look in the mirror but never tell ourselves we are one of a kind, we are 1 in 7 billion. Honestly he's right because we all are different and each of us are special in our own ways. A story that really stuck with me is the man who lost his daughter and how it hurt him so much and lead to him homelessness. It really sucks when we lose people who are ever so close to us and it does feel like part of our heart is missing. He still hasn't been able to get over the death of his daughter but he said he will eventually. It does go to show that homeless people really do have feelings and they are just like us we just have to see that. I would donate some old clothes or blankets anything that could help out the homeless. It's the right thing for us to do who have support to benefit the homeless who struggle everyday. We are all human and should all be treated the same.
ReplyDelete1. One of the things that stuck with me that randy said was we never realize how sweet and genuine the homeless people are.
ReplyDelete2. One of the stories that stood out to me was one I read that was on the wall it was a pregnant teen with her boyfriend behind her and they had no idea how they were gonna tell both of their parents.
3.I would love to help out with this organization! I would willing to bring clothes or buy giftcards.
Randy mentioned how the homeless are cremated by the government and forgotten after their death. This touched my heart especially after reading some of their stories. The fact that we let people sleep and freeze to death on the streets blows my mind. I was thinking about tieing coats to poles downtown at night so anyone needing it can take it, and maybe blankets too.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most inspiring stories I read were of the man who passed away. He seemed so kind and selfless, yet he didnt mean much to the world. His story being spread is a great memoir to him.
I think that one thing that had really stuck with me was one of the pictures and stories on his blog about a girl named Allison who had extreme depression and had been tossed from place to place. I can relate to this story in many ways, but the main would probably be when she mentioned trying so hard and just continuously failing.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that really stuck with me just by reading some of these stories is that someone finally put pride and honor aside for a long time to help others.
I would be more than happy to help donate some clothing probably women long sleeve shirts more than anything.
The ideas Randy has for his work is very inspiring and touching. One story I looked at and liked was about a man who was homeless and has a dog. Most homeless shelters don't take pets. He wants to get a job in Branson and be closer to his 3 year old son. I would be interested in helping the community.
ReplyDelete1.) There wasn't really just one thing that keeps going through my head. The entire presentation opened my mind and has left a lasting impact on how I view the homeless.
ReplyDelete2.) One Person that stood out to me was this man who decided to be homeless. I was first drawn to him because of his eyes. His story talked about how he was living a very successful life and had a family, a nice house, many cars, the whole nine yards, but he gave it all up because he felt like living on the streets was right for him. I just thought it was really interesting that he was able to follow his dream even though it wasn't a "normal" path.
3.) Volunteering time and money are ways I'd be willing to help. Randy has inspired me to do what I can to help the homeless community.
One thing specific that Randy said that stuck with me was "When was the last time you said 'Hello' to a homeless person?" This question caught me by surprise, because right before going into the gallery Echo, Anastasia, Haley, and I had gone to the top of a parking garage to shoot a quick video shot of the skyline of downtown Springfield. On our way in, we passed a homeless couple. I gave a quick wave and a smile, and they did the same. I wonder now just how much that impacted their morning. It pays not to take small acts of kindness for granted.
ReplyDeleteOne of the stories that stood out to me was more about the wording than the story. The story was about a mother who had finally gotten her life together; she had a home, a job, a boyfriend, and all her kids together... but as soon as her boyfriend dipped, it all fell apart. This story may seem common or unmemorable, but the way she worded her struggle has stayed with me. She said something like. "I had to give my rent money to the TV company, because you can't have babies and not have cartoons. My landlord didn't think me reliable to make more rent money, so he kicked me out. Without a place to live, my boss didn't think me a reliable employee, so I was fired. Living on the streets is freedom. Out here there's no rules. No one to cook for. No babies to chase after. It's hard sometimes, but what isn't?"
On the list of items on the post above, I'd be willing to bring some new socks, batteries, and then also whatever I can dig out of my dad's closet.
One story that stood out to me was about a man named Jason. He said that it's not law or regulations that was the problem, it was people. We judge them base on their lifestyle and their appearance, but Jason said we all have soul and we are all trying to survive just a different way then normal. I would also be happy to help with bringing in stuff to help the homeless for this coming winter.
ReplyDeleteYeah know, hearing Randy talk to us about how every week there's always someone, the homeless, who dies, but is never acknowledged. So, to just think that someone was to be so forgotten, that nobody were even notice. And even to the point, to where the NEWS wouldn't give a care to inform the people of the Ozarks about it?!?! What the h_ll! I mean, imagine if you were poor and had lived on the streets, but then one day you die due to an illness, and you realized that nobody had even noticed or cared about what had happened to you. How would you feel...to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteSomething memorable Randy said was that when homeless people died they weren't recognized. This just breaks my heart, because a stupid mistake can cause you to lose your identity. One of the stories that stood out to me was about the man with his cats. I can bring gift cards.
ReplyDeleteOne thing i enjoyed what Randy had said was how homeless people are people and that the deaths of the homeless need to be recognized. We as people should acknowledge our prejudice and fix the issue. One story that stuck with me was the kurt cobain man story with no arms. This piece wasn't up yet but the way randy told the story, I felt like I was too wrapped in my own life before that story.
ReplyDeleteOne thing i enjoyed what Randy had said was how homeless people are people and that the deaths of the homeless need to be recognized. We as people should acknowledge our prejudice and fix the issue. One story that stuck with me was the kurt cobain man story with no arms. This piece wasn't up yet but the way randy told the story, I felt like I was too wrapped in my own life before that story.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat's a different Randy Bacon...
DeleteOne thing about Randy's photos that stands out would be that the homeless people still had possessions. Sometimes we here about a homeless person getting stolen from and we don't think that they have there own things too.
ReplyDeleteI did not attend the field trip but I looked at the websites.
ReplyDelete