MOLLY BARTELS PHOTOGRAPHY

Editorial: Stories: Homeless

At 33, Chris Tuliano is homeless. Here, he makes his way to a camp in the woods that he shares with his step-father, Bobby Hyers, 47. Alcoholism is the main reason the pair are homeless. They are part of a rising number of homeless in the Vero Beach area. Due to the warm weather, the homeless are able to live outside year-round. There are women who also live in the woods and families that live in their cars. And, for a few who have chosen a harder path, there has been success and a way out of their despair.
   
A man who goes only by "Cowboy" takes a drink of beer while making a "God's eyes", an ancient craft from the Huichol tribe of Mexico. Cowboy, who grew up in Joplin, MO., has been making them since he was in high school. He often gives them away or tries to sell them for beer money. "Most alcoholics don't eat food," said John Davis, one of the homeless who admits to have had problems with alcohol. " The food soaks up the alcohol and it costs more to get drunk."
  
John Davis shows off the loot from his butt run, or a hunt for half-smoked cigarettes. Davis came from a family of drinkers. His uncle gave him his first beer at 8 or 9 years old. He is open about how drinking has affected his life. He lost parts of his fingers when he was eighteen years old because he was working a skillsaw while drinking.
     
  
Chuck Blumberg fixes his bike in the waiting area of SouthEast Staffing while his friend, Blake Harris, waits for him to finish. Both men live on their own in the woods and depend on their bikes like most people depend on their cars.
  
Staying clean is difficult for those living in camps in the woods. Most have homemade latrines but showers have to be taken at shelters or churches.
   
John Davis shaves after taking a free shower at the First Baptist Church in Vero Beach. Davis had a job with the City of St. Augustine and was married with two sons. Alchohol was his downfall. "I admit that I've made wrong decisions, " said Davis. He now has his own camp north of the city, a spot he has had for several years. "It's to the point now where I can't sleep inside anymore," he said.
     
  
After finishing her homework, Brandi Covey, 16, tries to find space to store her World History textbook in the Ford Aerostar van that she lives in with her mom, Bethany, back, her mother's boyfriend, Steve Poteat, not pictured, and their friend, Marty Robbins, not pictured. They also have a cat, Gypsey, and a dog, Chase Allen, that share their space in the van. The family became homeless after their rental home was destroyed by hurricanes.
   
Donald G. Lanier, known in the homeless community as Papa Smurf, spends most of his days relaxing in his camp, reading and drinking. Lanier shares his camp with several other people. However, many of the homeless like to camp alone to avoid interpersonal conflicts.
   
Donald James Connolly fills out a homeless census distributed by Gaye King, manager of The Source, a Christian ministry that gives aid to the homeless in Vero Beach. The census helps King assess the numbers and the needs of the homeless.
     
  
Monica Trullinger takes a nap with her baby, Zelda Melton, 5 months, on the couch at the apartment she shares with her boyfriend, Tony Melton, in Vero Beach. In 2001, at age 24, Trullinger was dissatisfied with her life in Seattle, Wa., and decided that she wanted to try being homeless. "I thought it was kind of fascinating. I wondered what their day to day life was like." said Trullinger. But she always knew she did not want to be homeless forever. "It was a lot harder to get out (of being homeless) than I thought," said Trullinger. "I'm not homeless anymore but I'm still in poverty," said Trullinger. "And I don't want to raise a child in poverty."
  
Monica Trullinger, back left, holds down her baby, Zelda Melton, who is getting her six month check-up at the Indian River County Health Department. Getting adequate health care is a serious issue for those who are homeless or living in poverty. Trullinger uses the health department for most of her baby's needs.
   
Rick Orand, who lives in a group homeless camp behind a shopping center in Vero Beach, kisses the new camp kitten, Inky. The kitten was thrown from a moving car when Karen Eurich, who also lives in the camp, picked it up and brought it back to camp. Even though there isn't much food, Orand and Eurich manage to find scraps of food for the kitten to eat.