12/16/2024
We are heartbroken by the loss of this beautiful human.
Repost from
Part of “There Is No ‘They’: A Document of Homelessness”
I met Julien early on in my project documenting homelessness in the Valley. He was doing community outreach with Sonoran Prevention Works at University Park just north of the Zone. I was immediately drawn to his warmth, kindness, & vulnerability. I formally interviewed him in March 2023. He graciously sat for a portrait session with me two months later. I revisited my interview with and portraits of Julien over the last 24 hours. The following is Julien reflecting on his personal experiences with homelessness and addiction and the shame, guilt, and feeling of not belonging that all-too-often accompany them.
“We've created an environment [and a] culture where it's illegal to exist without a home essentially, right. Because if you don't have a home, you don't have anywhere that you can be outside of public hours. So when the parks are closed, where do you go? You don't have anywhere to go. And the feelings I've experienced of walking into a Starbucks to use the bathroom…I don't even know if the workers cared, but that I have to hide my body or myself, my presence so [that] I don’t cause a scene just so I can use the restroom. And that definitely translated into, as I got older, into staying at friends' houses, because I [was] stay[ing] at their house, but it's not like I was living there. It's not a good feeling adjusting to the sense that you're hidden from society or that you should be [hidden from society]. And so when you're not, you start to feel uncomfortable. At least that's what I was. I'd feel uncomfortable just existing. Which definitely didn't make it easier to get help. But luckily, you know, I had support and people who reminded me that they love me.”
We lost Julien earlier this week. All who ever got to know Julien are absolutely devastated by his passing. We love you Julien. You are deeply missed.
Julien’s family has created a GoFundMe to cover unexpected costs, including the care of Julien’s sweet and elderly dog Bruce.
GoFundMe Donations
https://gofund.me/6d33d57c