Humanizing the Unhoused

Often times when we think of change, we think of the big shifts, but if we look closer we can see that big changes are the amalgamation of many little changes. Little things that are radical by virtue of being in opposition to the norm. Going against the grain, so to speak. 

This week I wanted to highlight the work of Leah den Bok, a photographer, who at 14 years old started a project that would come to be known as “Humanizing The Homeless”. She was influenced by the experiences of her mother, Sara Denbok, as a child orphan found injured on the streets of Calcutta who was taken in by Mother Theresa's orphanage until she was adopted. 

Sarah Denbok as a child at Mother Theresa’s orphanage (Denbok family)

She was also inspired by the work of Lee Jefferies, a photographer based in the UK, and started meeting and photographing people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Ontario. The black and white photographs are accompanied by the conversations they share, and the stories told by people she meets. She eventually published a book called Nowhere to Call Home: Photographs and Stories of the Homeless Volume 1 followed by two more volumes and all of the profits are given to local shelters. 

Nicole from Fredericton and Vinnie from New Brunswick (Leah den Bok)

“With my book, I'm trying to portray two goals,” said the young photographer. “First of which is to shine a spotlight on the plight of homelessness because it is such a big issue in our nation and world right now that's only getting worse. And second, I'd like to humanize homeless people because so often they are seen as subhuman individuals.”

Leslie and his cat, McLovin (Leah den Bok)

It’s easy to walk by people and never know them, know what they value, know where they’re from, and how they came to be where they are now. Sometimes, it’s really just a matter of taking a moment to talk with someone and share some time and space with them to make a difference—no matter how small it may seem.  

 (CBC News)

If you’d like to see more of Leah den Bok’s work for this project check out the Humanizing The Homeless website.