Jason and I first crossed paths at the intersection of Washington and Capitol Way. Amidst his diligent efforts to sweep up the usual debris that clutters city streets, I couldn't help but notice him. When he caught sight of me, he paused, leaned on his broom, and asked me to take his picture.
As we spoke, Jason opened up about his personal struggles with homelessness. He shared that he received occasional support from a few local store owners who would generously offer him a few dollars for his voluntary sidewalk cleaning in the nearby alleys and in front of businesses.
If you ever have the chance to meet Jason, you might find him tidying up alleyways, sidewalks, and business fronts. He has become well-known in Olympia for his unwavering commitment to spreading positivity and maintaining cleanliness throughout the city.
I met Eddie on a sweltering summer day in downtown Olympia, where he stopped me with a simple ask: 'Got a dollar for a coffee?' That small moment sparked a conversation that revealed the depth of his life. A Navy veteran born in Oklahoma City in 1944, Eddie served from 1961 to 1965, then worked at a Chevrolet plant in San Diego before cruising to Oregon in his cherished yellow 1950 Ford V8. There, he honed his craft as a carpenter and welder. Now calling Olympia home for the past six years, Eddie moves between temporary stays, always grateful for life’s simple joys. This portrait, part of my work with the Thurston County Homeless Census and my ongoing project, captures Eddie’s resilience and love for vintage cars.
I ran into Lee, known around Olympia as ‘Pony Boy,’ in a downtown alley, where his energy lit up the moment. Spotting my camera, he grinned and asked for a photo, striking playful poses and laughing with pure joy. This candid shot captures Lee’s vibrant spirit in a quiet moment, part of my work with the Thurston County Homeless Census and my ongoing project to share the stories of our community.
I met Moses on a busy Olympia street, sitting by a bench with his luggage cart—packed with black plastic bags and a tarp, secured by duct tape and bungee cords. He kept it at a distance, he said, to ease others’ fears, assuring me with a warm smile that I had nothing to worry about. Born Jim in Amaretto, Texas in 1944, Moses arrived in Olympia in 1990 after a childhood marked by abandonment. He chose the name Moses, seeing his life reflected in the biblical prophet, and shared vivid insights, linking Mt. St. Helens’ eruption to the Book of Revelation. When I asked to take his photo, he grinned and said, 'Go ahead, but you might get rich!' This portrait, part of my work with the Thurston County Homeless Census and ongoing project, captures Moses’s warmth and wisdom.
I met Eric on a chilly morning at Sylvester Park, where he stood wrapped in blankets, soaking in the faint warmth of the sun. At 52, this Las Vegas native and former band singer sported Dallas Cowboys gear with pride. After 10 months of homelessness in Olympia, Eric shared his hope to get off the streets and help his friends do the same. This portrait, part of my work with the Thurston County Homeless Census and ongoing project, captures his resilience and optimism.
I passed Melvie on an Olympia sidewalk, where he sat clutching a rolled-up newspaper and asked if I played guitar. My ‘yes’ sparked a wide, slow grin, followed by his playful, off-the-mark guesses about me that had us both laughing. Melvie Sheer, as he’s known here, says his name shifts with each town. He finds rest in stairwells and stoops, carrying a past marked by a 1971 crash in Littlerock, Washington, where a truck left him with severe head trauma. Living with an untreated hernia, Melvie faces daily challenges, yet his warmth endures.
