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Welcome to the home page for the book and the documentary Pushed to the Corner.

They are individuals. Each one has a story. We want to find out what those stories are. Go along with us on our journey as we get to know the women who beg on street corners.

Excerpt from the book:

I stood there with a cardboard sign in my hand. It read “HOMELESS Trying to get hotel room and food. Can you please help?” I was on a street corner. How did I get here? How did I end up with this sign in my hand? I was in awe of the moment. I had stepped out of my own reality into the reality of another.  The cars were lined up at the light. What did they think of me? I supposed they thought I was begging. I became very self conscious. I was embarrassed. I was humbled beyond anything I had felt before. I was totally unaware when I’d left the house less than an hour before, I would be standing here now. I wanted to put the sign down. I stood there with it for as long as I could. It probably only lasted for a few minutes but at the time it felt like an eternity. The sun was bright and the car windows were tinted so I couldn’t see the people inside. Were they looking at me? No - I had become invisible...  Stephanie     

How did I end up here? The woman I was interviewing asked me to hold her sign for a moment while she went to accept water a passerby was offering her.

"Grounded"

You fly on the corner
Yet stay on the ground
This way of life
Wont let you turn around
Make a change
Put your sign down
Go a new way
Life waits to be found
- Stephanie     

Be a part of the discussion. Leave your comments on The Corner Blog. 

 

This is a book and a documentary film that will focus on women who beg on street corners. It will answer those questions so many of us have. Who are they? Why are they there? What is their story? What do they need? Where is their family? Who is helping them? What can I do? Our process is straightforward. We will be interviewing many women begging on the street to get their stories. We have already found at least two who have been forced to beg in order to pay their bills and keep a place to call home, and we plan to follow their story for a year. Along the way we will include helpers, agencies, friends and family where possible. We have the intent to present a full picture of women street people, why they turn to begging, and to record their stories as they tell them.

Take a look at the photo gallery while you are here. We will update it from time to time and add excerpts from the stories that go with each picture. The challenge with producing an independent documentary is that we have to make a living while we do this. If you happen to see us on the corner with a cardboard sign, you'll know why. Be sure to stop and visit because we have already found that many of the women flying their signs need a friend as much as they need the money.

 

     

Click here to watch video. Anna talks about how they should spend the money people give them.


   

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