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News
Street Roots • June 19-25, 2015
Street Roots • June 19-25, 2015
News
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George Luis, 60
George Luis is from Cuba and it’s been 20 years since he’s seen his
two girls. They are still in Cuba. He misses them very much. He said
the most important thing he ever told them was, "Be nice. Be good.
Take it easy.”
Father’s Day in Old Town
a t do you think of when I say, “Father’s Day?” Does your mind
W s instantly
bring up an image of your own father? Of a childhood
memory you shared? Is it something that brings a smile to your
face?
Since coming to the city 25 years ago I’ve had a strong connection to the
Old Town area. My first volunteer work was with Sister Maria and the
homeless folks she cared for. I took photos of her clients and mailed them
out to family so they would know they were loved and cared for.
Many of the men Sister Maria cared for were fathers. Many of the men
you see on the streets around Old Town waiting for food at the Union
Gospel Mission or catching a meal at the Portland Rescue Mission or the
Blanchet House are fathers too, but mostly they aren’t honored on Father’s
Day. Many fathers have been forgotten.
Father’s Day is a day to honor fathers. Even the fathers we don’t know or
who seem so invisible to us as we pass them on the streets. Pictured here
are some of those fathers from Westward Hotel, .the Stewart Hotel and the
streets in Old Town. To each I asked, “What advice did your father give you?
What advice did you give your children?’
-BENJAMIN BRINK
Photos by Benjamin Brink
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Eric Thomas, 78
Eric Thomas says it was hard to get good
advice from his father because he was
always on the wrong end of the stick.
His dad grew up in an era oftough
disciplinarians. Eric stays in touch with all
six of his children by phone every week,
Eric says he told them, “Stay out of
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trouble. Get your education.” He figures
he must have done okay. All of his
children are in the ministry.
Wesley Appling, 64
Wesley Appling was adopted and it wasn’t until later in life that he learned his “Uncle Bob” w as his dad. His
father w asn’t a good role model. Wesley says the best advice he’s ever given his adopted son was, “Don’t use
drugs or alcohol. It will screw up your life. You’ll never forgive yourself for the people you hurt.”
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Francisco Thomas Farah, 63, above
P H O T O B Y B E N J A M IN BR IN K
Francisco Thomas Farah loved being a father but doesn’t want to think
about it now. He had one girl but she died. Thinking about being a father
Paul Brundridge, 63, above
The best advice Paul Brundridge ever got from his father
only reminds him of her death and he does not want to remember that.
was, 'Take care of your family.” He has one daughter
and the most important thing he’s ever told her was that
he loved her.
Bruce Mackintosh, 58, above right
The most important advice Bruce Mackintosh ever got from his dad was,
“Always tell the truth.” Bruce has two sons and he passed his father's
advice to them. Always tell the truth. Bruce says there’s a lot of responsibility
with raising two boys but he is proud to be a father.
Christopher Barone, 72, right
The best advice Christopher Barone’s father gave him
Scott Elliott, 66, bottom right
Scott Elliot says his father was the most honest person he ever knew. He led
by example. Scott says that’s the most important thing he’s passed on to his
was that work is most important. Go to work. Christopher
says he didn’t know much about being a ja th e r to his two
son, too. He says his son' is also very generous, although he doesn't think he
learned that trait from him.
girls and one boy. He says, “I was just there for them,”
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P H O T O B Y B E N J A M IN BR IN K