C a m d e n Ya n d e l NA T E T A Y L O R NA T E M c D O N O U G H N I L S H AN C Z A R C Y N T H I A LEE JOSHUA STORRS DAN E K I S HIGU ROSE JOE MRUK E I LEEN LEE
In this volume: nine people who currently or recently experienced homelessness shared their stories with cartoonists who created these nine individual stories. Each story represents a period of time where the individual storyteller experienced homelessness. Some of thestorytellers have found stable housing, some may be still homeless, some may have returned to homelessness, and others have passed away. If after reading these stories you want to share your thoughts with us, please visit www.drawntohome.com and leave a comment or contact us. If after reading these stories you want to do something to help change the lives of those among us who lack stable housing, look for ideas on the back cover about being an advocate for those unable to advocate for themselves.
C O N T EN T S When I Was Fourteen / by Camden Yandel Number / by Nate Taylor Tracy / by Nate McDonough
1
5
8
What If... / by Nils Hanczar
11
Devyn / by Cynthia Lee, Joshua Storrs
15
Isaiah / by Dan Ekis 18 She Built Me / by Higu Rose
21
Thanksgiving / by Joe Mruk
24
Janet / by Eileen Lee 27 Contributors
Acknowledgements
30 31
1
2
3
by Camden Yandel 4
So, there’s this girl I like.
Is everything ok, Kev?
That was a close call. It’s so busy today!
This has been ALL WEEK. Oh, I forgot to ask, how is your new job? Still figuring it out, but so far so good! Ah! That’s so great. I’d like to hear more about it. Would... you like to get coffee some time? 5
I’m out of town this weekend, but here’s this and... text me whenever!
Yeah. Yeah, definitely!
I thought about it and... I couldn’t do it.
Weeks passed.
Hey. Sorry I didn’t call. My girlfriend was washing my clothes and found your number in my jeans.
Oh. Ok.
6
I was homeless at that time, sleeping in the woods. No girlfriend was washing my clothes. Being ashamed of my situation kept me from calling her.
And that kind of hurts.
Knowing you could have had something.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
by Nils Hanczar 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
She Built Me
adapted by Higu Rose
21
22
23
24
25
26
by Eileen Lee
27
28
29
ABOUT THIS COMIC BOOK This comic book is a Peter and Jay Production, with Nate Taylor as the editor and anthologist. Peter Harvey works as a Community Resources Specialist with Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Part of his work includes raising community awareness around issues of homelessness and access to affordable housing. Jay Poliziani the Director of Northside Common Ministries (a program of Goodwill of Southwestern PA) which serves men experiencing homelessness. Jay believes in the power of art to make change. Along with participation in this comic book, he also helps coordinate other homelessness-focused, arts-related projects.
CONTRIBUTORS Dan Ekis is the writer and artist of the popular webtoon Odyssey, Inc. He also has a Youtube channel dedicated to helping artists gain confidence and make a living from their art. / www.danekis.com Nils Hanczar is the resident cartoonist of “The Northside Chronicle”, and author of “Dr.Joseph UPMC”, “Ship of Soiled Doves”, “You Can Did It”, and “4 Dead 17 Wounded”. / IG @NilsHanczar / Twitter @NilsBalls Cynthia Lee is a comic and tattoo artist. They have eight pairs of identical socks. / IG @CynthiaYangZhenLee Eileen Lee is an artist and designer at Carnegie Mellon University who is passionate about researching and creating art about social issues such as combating homelessness! In her spare time, she likes to draw dogs and think about bagels. / IG @eileen_loves_cheesecake / www.eileenlee.net Nate McDonough lives in Pittsburgh, PA and has been self-publishing comics short, long, mini, massive and otherwise for about ten years now. / IG @grixlycola Joe Mruk is a freelance illustrator, designer, and educator living in the East End of Pittsburgh. From album art, to festival branding, to restaurant murals, Joe does it all. / IG @redbuffaloill / www.redbuffalo.org Higu Rose is a Pittsburgh-based illustrator who draws comics about people living their lives as best they can. / www.higu.cool 30
CONTRIBUTORS
(cont.)
Josh Storrs – When he’s not making comics with his friends, he likes to write stories and leave parties early. His fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in Typehouse, Jersey Devil Press, and Barren Magazine. / IG @bloombeard / www.joshuastorrs.com Nate Taylor is a Pittsburgh-based illustrator who specializes in work for YA and middle-grade audiences. / IG @illustatornate / www.illustratornate.com Camden Yandel is an avid doodler and library worker based in Pittsburgh where he lives with his wonderful partner Kristina and their two fur-kids, Willow the Dog and Miles the Cat. / IG @camdenyandel / Twitter @camdenyandel
AC K No w l e d g e m e n ts Extra special thank you to Leah and Tom Wiese, whose financial support made this issue possible. Thank you to our partners and supporters: Staunton Farm Foundation Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny Intermediate Unit Department of Human Services of Allegheny County Thank you to Alina Sitwat for the art on the back cover. Thanks to the following people who offered their support of the project: Joe Lagana, Chris Volkar, Gary Hodges, Thomas Forrest, Nicole Anderson, and the Greensburg Writers Group.
© 2020 Northside Common Ministries. All works are the property of their respective authors. 31
W H AT C AN I D O N OW ? Did these stories make you feel like you wanted to help fix the problem of homelessness in your community? Write a letter, make a phone call, or send an email to someone who can make a change. Individuals experiencing homelessness go unheard by politicians who make funding decisions that directly affect their ability to live safely. You can write the letter or email or make the call on their behalf. Your voice will be heard! To find your state and federal representatives go to: https://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep – Tell them you live in their district and that you want them to vote in favor of legislation related to adding funding for affordable housing or for added support for homeless services. Let them know that you or members of your family vote, and that you care deeply about assuring that everyone has safe, stable, and affordable housing. To learn more about homelessness, related services, and ways you can help visit https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/ or the website for the Department of Human Services in your area.
To find out about homeless services in Allegheny County, visit: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/ProgramsServices/Basic-Needs/Housingand-Homeless.aspx