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Nowhere to Call Home: Photographs and Stories of the Homeless
"I invite you to look into the eyes of the homeless... they tell a story."
Homelessness is a serious problem throughout North America-even in Canada and the United States, two of the richest countries in the world. "We must stop this madness," says Leah Denbok, the teenage Canadian photographer who travelled with her dad for over two years to cities throughout North America, photographing and interviewing the homeless. Leah was inspired by the story of her mother, who at three years old was rescued from the streets of Calcutta by Saint Teresa (formerly Mother Teresa). Nowhere to Call Home is a collection of gritty, black-and-white photographs and the personal stories of individuals who live on the streets. The haunting beauty of the images will stay with you, long after you turn the last page.
All the profits from the sale of this book will go to the Salvation Army Barrie Bayside Mission Centre....
Homelessness is a serious problem throughout North America-even in Canada and the United States, two of the richest countries in the world. "We must stop this madness," says Leah Denbok, the teenage Canadian photographer who travelled with her dad for over two years to cities throughout North America, photographing and interviewing the homeless. Leah was inspired by the story of her mother, who at three years old was rescued from the streets of Calcutta by Saint Teresa (formerly Mother Teresa). Nowhere to Call Home is a collection of gritty, black-and-white photographs and the personal stories of individuals who live on the streets. The haunting beauty of the images will stay with you, long after you turn the last page.
All the profits from the sale of this book will go to the Salvation Army Barrie Bayside Mission Centre....
- GenresNonfiction
100 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2017
16 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 8, 2020
An empathy generator
November 3, 2018
This book truly opens your eyes to the "invisible people", people that so many of us choose to ignore. 1st time around, I flipped through the book, read the text and matched the pictures to the blurb. Subsequent forays through the book, I took the time to actually look at the pictures, stare into the eyes of the people to see them for who they are - another human being like me. This humanizes them and makes you simply thankful for who you are. And opens/wakes up the compassionate person in you.
October 21, 2020
A really quick read but an inspiring one! Reading all these stories about homeless people on the street and locally around me really makes me wonder where they are now. So many stories and past experiences have lead these people to where there are. This book makes you understand it was never a choice, but instead circumstances that lead to this as a result. I like how each person had their own dedicated page and expressed why they are where they are now. Definitely investing in the next 2 books!
November 25, 2022
Powerful read
I think we often assume what is going on in someone’s life. This book tells the incredible similarities and largely different aspects of why people become and continue to be homeless. I truly hope we can find ways to help people who struggle in this way and to remember…it could happen to ANY of us.
I think we often assume what is going on in someone’s life. This book tells the incredible similarities and largely different aspects of why people become and continue to be homeless. I truly hope we can find ways to help people who struggle in this way and to remember…it could happen to ANY of us.
February 24, 2019
I liked the photos, but the descriptions often veered into sentimental cliches.
August 24, 2022
This is a collection of black and white photos of homeless people taken by a teenage photographer with unusual skill and sensitivity.
November 11, 2019
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A book that makes the invisible, VISIBLE
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“I hope through my photographs and stories, to humanize the homeless. I want to capture their dignity as human beings. So often, the homeless are viewed as subhuman creatures one dare not approach, let alone talk to. I want to change this perception of them.
I invite you to look into the eyes of the homeless individuals you will see on the pages of this book. They tell a story—one of homelessness, fear, grief, regret, and rejection. But they also tell a story of hope, expectation, and gratitude. In short, they communicate emotions common to ALL human beings.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from this stunning book by Leah Denbok (with Tim Denbok). She is sixteen years of age and has been taking photographs for the past 4 years. Leah was recently the subject of a mini-documentary televised on the CBC’s “The National.” (Tim is her father.)
This book consists of a series of two-page spreads, a black & white photo on one page of someone homeless and the homeless person’s story on the other page.
The photographs are in a word—stunning. Leah effectively humanizes the homeless. I counted a total of forty photographs with the vast majority being homeless males.
The homeless persons’ stories are well-done catching the essence of each person profiled. Leah in these stories draws attention to their plight. Most of the homeless profiled are from a city in Ontario (mainly Toronto). A few are from New York City.
Finally, I find it compelling that a 16-year-old would choose to take the time to make the invisible, visible.
In conclusion, this book invites you to look into the eyes of the homeless and, in doing so, discover their story!!
(2017; preface [viii-ix]; foreword [x-xi]; introduction [xiii]; photographs with stories; main narrative 75 pages; organizations that help the homeless; bio of Leah Denbok)
XXXXX
A book that makes the invisible, VISIBLE
XXXXX
“I hope through my photographs and stories, to humanize the homeless. I want to capture their dignity as human beings. So often, the homeless are viewed as subhuman creatures one dare not approach, let alone talk to. I want to change this perception of them.
I invite you to look into the eyes of the homeless individuals you will see on the pages of this book. They tell a story—one of homelessness, fear, grief, regret, and rejection. But they also tell a story of hope, expectation, and gratitude. In short, they communicate emotions common to ALL human beings.”
The above quote (in italics) comes from this stunning book by Leah Denbok (with Tim Denbok). She is sixteen years of age and has been taking photographs for the past 4 years. Leah was recently the subject of a mini-documentary televised on the CBC’s “The National.” (Tim is her father.)
This book consists of a series of two-page spreads, a black & white photo on one page of someone homeless and the homeless person’s story on the other page.
The photographs are in a word—stunning. Leah effectively humanizes the homeless. I counted a total of forty photographs with the vast majority being homeless males.
The homeless persons’ stories are well-done catching the essence of each person profiled. Leah in these stories draws attention to their plight. Most of the homeless profiled are from a city in Ontario (mainly Toronto). A few are from New York City.
Finally, I find it compelling that a 16-year-old would choose to take the time to make the invisible, visible.
In conclusion, this book invites you to look into the eyes of the homeless and, in doing so, discover their story!!
(2017; preface [viii-ix]; foreword [x-xi]; introduction [xiii]; photographs with stories; main narrative 75 pages; organizations that help the homeless; bio of Leah Denbok)
XXXXX
July 15, 2018
Leah Denbok's book, Nowhere to Call Home: Photographs and Stories of the Homeless, came to my attention when my library ordered a number of copies. Libraries are a warm or cool place where anyone can take a seat, read a book, use a computer and most importantly, find a friendly face. Such is the case at the branch I work in.
Leah Denbok was fourteen when she first began photographing the homeless. She had personal inspiration for her book, as her own mother was found wandering the streets of Calcutta as a three year old. Leah's father accompanied Leah as she met and spoke to the homeless they encountered on the streets of Toronto, Barrie, New York City and other North American cities.
Her goal? "I hope, through my photographs and stories, to humanize the homeless. I want to capture their dignity as human beings. So often, the homeless are viewed as sub-human creatures one dare not approach, let alone talk to them. I want to change this perception of them."
Denbok's photography is striking. High contrast black and white images highlight the lines in every face, the sorrow and the strength. The words accompanying each photo achieve Denbok's goal. It's impossible not to look at the photo, read the story and then stop and examine the photo again. Does your perception change? I find myself wondering where these people are today? Have their circumstances changed?
Denbok's other goal is to '...shine a spotlight on the plight of homelessness. Contrary to what many think, few homeless people are on the street by choice." An appendix is included listing organizations who are tackling homelessness.
And the profits made from the sale of this book? "All the profits from the sale of this book will go the the Salvation Army Barrie Bayside Mission Centre."
This is what a sixteen year old is doing. What can you do?
Leah Denbok was fourteen when she first began photographing the homeless. She had personal inspiration for her book, as her own mother was found wandering the streets of Calcutta as a three year old. Leah's father accompanied Leah as she met and spoke to the homeless they encountered on the streets of Toronto, Barrie, New York City and other North American cities.
Her goal? "I hope, through my photographs and stories, to humanize the homeless. I want to capture their dignity as human beings. So often, the homeless are viewed as sub-human creatures one dare not approach, let alone talk to them. I want to change this perception of them."
Denbok's photography is striking. High contrast black and white images highlight the lines in every face, the sorrow and the strength. The words accompanying each photo achieve Denbok's goal. It's impossible not to look at the photo, read the story and then stop and examine the photo again. Does your perception change? I find myself wondering where these people are today? Have their circumstances changed?
Denbok's other goal is to '...shine a spotlight on the plight of homelessness. Contrary to what many think, few homeless people are on the street by choice." An appendix is included listing organizations who are tackling homelessness.
And the profits made from the sale of this book? "All the profits from the sale of this book will go the the Salvation Army Barrie Bayside Mission Centre."
This is what a sixteen year old is doing. What can you do?
April 14, 2020
Everyone has a story whether rich or poor. Most overlook those who are down and out. I like what the photographer has done by bringing the humanity of these individuals to light. If we lived in a kinder world perhaps there would be fewer homeless on our streets.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews