Shannon sits cold and alone on a park bench at the downtown Corvallis skate park. Shannon suffers from both schizophrenia and alcoholism, 46% of the homeless population are reported to suffer from severe mental illness.
From left to right Kathy, Alan Knolan, Fred Corona, Lynette and Bob Brokaw with their dog Lucas, and Walter Clark in the foreground, gather under an over pass at the downtown Corvallis skate park. Tho group gathers here nearly everyday to get out from the elements, and enjoy swapping stories over cold beer.
Jeffs and his green wing macaw Rose share a moment on the downtown Corvallis waterfront. Jeffs is just one of over 600,000 of the homeless population in the United States. He, like many young homeless men and women, lost there way in life and have turned to the streets.
Mexican immigrant Ellirious, came to the United States chasing the American dream. Ellirious is just one of the estimated 38% of the homeless population that suffers from alcoholism. His beer of choice like many other homeless people, is any kind of "Malt Liquor". Malt liquor has the strongest alcohol percentage of any beer made.
Native American, and member of the Blackfoot tribe out of Montana, David stands proudly in front of what is his home. He lives on the east side of the Willamette river just outside of Corvallis city limits, on ODOT land. Just outside city limits he is out of the Corvallis police departments jurisdiction. David prefers like many homeless members of society to live outdoors, refusing to conform to societies standards.
