An interdisciplinary book project using poetry, visual art, documentary photography, and lived experience to deepen public understanding of homelessness and create microentrepreneurship.
street diaries is an interdisciplinary book project that brings together original poetry by Lorin Drexler, paintings by Beth Hyatt, documentary photography from the I HAVE A NAME project, and the voices of individuals who chose to share portions of their own stories.
Rather than approaching homelessness through statistics or policy, the project invites readers into personal encounters that reveal the humanity, resilience, and complexity of people too often overlooked. Each poem, painting, photograph, and personal reflection contributes to a larger narrative that encourages readers to move beyond assumptions and engage with homelessness through empathy and human connection.
Created in collaboration with artists, photographers, and individuals who have experienced homelessness, street diaries seeks to foster awareness through art while honoring the dignity and humanity of those whose stories have too often gone unheard.
Beyond the Book
What began as a book gradually evolved into something larger.
street diaries is developing partnerships with street paper organizations, community nonprofits, educational institutions, and other mission-aligned organizations to create microentrepreneurial opportunities for people who have experienced homelessness while expanding public awareness through literature, visual art, and storytelling. The long-term vision is to place the book directly into the hands of individuals and organizations working within homeless communities, so that the project continues to create impact long after publication.
Support the Mission
street diaries is an Arizona Unincorporated Nonprofit Association operating under the fiscal sponsorship of Fractured Atlas, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. Through this partnership, supporters can make tax-deductible contributions that help expand publication, outreach, educational programming, and strategic partnerships that advance the project’s mission.
With the manuscript complete, street diaries has entered its next phase. We are now focused on bringing the book to publication, expanding our network of community partners, and creating new opportunities for people who have experienced homelessness to participate in its mission. If you would like to support this work and join the mission, you can make a tax-deductible contribution using the link or QR code below.
Preview the Book
Below is a sample from street diaries, featuring excerpts from the collection.
Stay Connected
Follow street diaries on Instagram and/or Facebook for book excerpts, project updates, partnership announcements, and opportunities to support the mission as the project continues to grow. Click the icons below to join:
street diaries © 2022
Edited by Alyiteration Editorial.
Lorin’s work from street diaries has appeared in Prolific Pulse, Abstract Magazine, Eunoia Review, Fjords Review, and Harpy Hybrid Review.