Rochester Front Door Project Portraits
In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic landed on Minnesota’s doorstep and life in our community, schools, work places, and homes changed drastically. As cases and hospitalizations increased in the state, the Minnesota Governor declared a peacetime emergency on March 13 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising numbers within Minnesota. A stay-at-home order was enacted for citizens on March 27 that would later be extended through May 3, 2020 keeping kids home from schools, people from their work places and all of us figuring out a new normal for the remainder of the pandemic. During this uncertain time, we were thankful for those deemed essential workers who left the safety of their homes to staff hospitals, keep grocery stores and restaurants open, first responders attending to other emergencies, mail and delivery persons helping us stay home by delivering enormous amounts of packages, and so many others stepping up in this time of crisis.
This was an unprecedented time that shifted everyone’s way of life with a lingering sense of fear about the unknown future of living through a global pandemic.. It was isolating, both literally and emotionally, for every resident in Rochester. RNeighbors continued to focus on the needs of the community by having conversations with partner organizations asking, “how can we unify Rochester during a time when we all have to stay in our own homes?”
The Rochester Front Door Project was developed by learning and building on similar visualization projects including the Front Steps Project in Needham, Massachusetts and a photo essay in the New York Times called Meet the Neighbors. Our goal was to document with photos and narrative a diverse selection of Rochester, Minnesota, neighbors living through COVID-19. Capturing how this community not only survived, but thrived, during a once in a lifetime event will be important to remind our residents of the resiliency we all have when we work together.
After getting approval from Olmsted Public Health in May to move forward with project partners to begin collecting photos and narratives, while maintaining proper social-distance measures. An information sheet was developed about the launch of the program and a request for community members to step outside with us. We asked people to wear their everyday clothes so we could capture them as they were in the moment. Fagan Studios lent their creative photography skills to the project and United Way led the effort in collecting information from participants, who were asked six questions related to their COVID-19 experiences. Translators assisted in two neighborhoods to capture the diverse lived experiences around town.
The project wrapped up with a total of 83 portraits in the collection, taken in over 20 different Rochester neighborhoods. Since this project revolved around a pandemic, it was important that we also included images of staff from Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center who were the front lines fighting this infectious disease. Individuals from these institutions kept, and continue to keep, our community healthy during this time.
Minnesota was shook again in late May with the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody that led to subsequent nation-wide protest demanding racial justice. This uprising for racial justice spanned all 50 states and countries all across the world unifying us once again to fight together towards a better future. These events happened just after we had finished our photo collection process, out of respect for community grieving and healing we delayed the public release of our project.
A big ‘thank you’ to the participants who were featured in The Rochester Front Door Project for giving us a brief look into their quarantine experience. Common threads from the interviews included missing family and friends, fear of the unknown, hating/loving online learning for students, hope for the future, and an overall lack of connection to others. The COVID-19 experience has been tougher on some than others, and disparities deepened amongst our marginalized and under resourced populations. But during these uncertain times, many shared about how they were thankful for their neighborhood connections.
Together, the many unique Rochester faces and front doors resemble an intricate quilt. Each of the project partners (listed below) hope that this collaborative photo project spreads kindness and compassion while documenting neighbors living through the COVID-19 experience. We still have a journey ahead of us before the pandemic is over, but may this collection strengthen the fabric of our community through a shared time in history, common trials, and joys. #rochfrontdoor
Please note while reading quotes paired with the portraits, we have used quotation marks to separate family members’ comments.
Rabbi Werner
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 14 years
"I’m astounded by the amount of good things happening in the world. In my circle of the world, my students are volunteering, others are grocery shopping for neighbors, my congregants made me masks. I performed a Zoom funeral and people who wouldn’t have been able to normally attend because of distance, were able to connect and be part of the ceremony."
"I don’t use the words, new normal, because whatever normal was, it wasn’t that good."
Segura Family
Project Collection Team Member
Neighborhood: Oak Terrace/Parkside
Years in Neighborhood: a few years
"COVID has forced us to do things differently and it has brought to light the small things that make a big impact, like being able to be outside of our home."
"It has been a challenge to adjust to distance learning and to taper expectations of when this will end."
Dahlman Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 20 years
"Learning to wear masks has been hard, they fog my glasses and make it hard to breathe when I'm at work."
"Instead of going out to eat we have been getting takeout, but I’m really looking forward to being in restaurants again."
"We try to go out for a fish fry every Friday, I miss that."
Hormel & Davey Families
Neighborhood: Historic SW
Years in Neighborhood: 30 years
"I was supposed to move into the Charter House this spring, but my plans changed because of COVID-19.
My family lives next door and have been taking such great care of me, they bring books and food."
"I also have lots of knitting to do, so I’ve been keeping busy while feeling pampered."
Kuramoto Family
Neighborhood: Elton Hills
"Our lives have been disrupted and I’m a status quo kind of person. I’m a teacher with classes that moved online."
"My daughter was student teaching in St. Paul when the teachers went on strike and then she moved in when her classes went online because of the pandemic."
"I feel like I can't really move forward with the uncertainty of the situation."
Bianco Home
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 24 years
"I have still been taking my dog, Finnegan, on walks and out multiple times per day.
As the crisis unfolds, I have felt anxious and it’s been difficult to be told you can’t do things even when you want to.
Although I don’t mind being a loner, I really miss neighborhood meetings and book club."
Ito & Kazemba Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 30 years
"We were supposed to go to visit family in Japan, we were eager to go and it has been difficult that we couldn’t."
"Our kids want to go to their friend’s birthday parties again.
We have been spending more time as a family, keeping active, and connecting with other family members over video chat."
"We can’t wait to travel again."
Clermont Family
Neighborhood: Slatterly Park
Years in Neighborhood: 13 years
"Our neighborhood created the Slatterly Salute, everyone goes outside at 7pm to wave and chat. Other than seeing our neighbors each night, we have been spending time outside as a family and have reclaimed our backyard, the camper included. We have been challenged not seeing friends and with distance learning. During this time, I’ve been reaching out more to my sibling than usual and we attended a drive-in, distanced wedding that was really fun."
Monsees & Sixta Family
Neighborhood: Fowell SW
Years in Neighborhood: 34 years
"The associates, our three border collies, and I walk five miles in the morning and head to the dog park in the afternoon.
It’s been challenging not seeing people, especially our kids."
"I started weaving, and we have been baking more and reaching out to my isolated sister in upstate New York.
Our son and daughter-in-law are now living in Rochester after evacuating from New York City, so it’s nice to know they’re safe and close."
Huie Family
Neighborhood: Historic SW
Years in Neighborhood: 8 years
"Our neighborhood is safe, busy and has lots of things to do even when we are missing our friends and family.
The school and work schedules changing has been the most difficult part, but we have been staying connected by reaching out to grandma and other family members online."
Brock & Iverson Family
Project Collection Team Member
"We have felt some anxiety and frustration amidst the uncertainty."
"It is apparent that we need to be better at preparing for and reacting to crisis. We have tried to stay as connected as we can, remembering that some are more affected than others
"I'm making sure to take care of my body and spirit so I can continue taking care of others."
"We see reason for hope in the ways our communities are coming together and taking care of each other."
Hassen Home
Project Collection Team Member
Neighborhood: Meadow Park Initiative
Years in Neighborhood: 4 years
"I am originally from Somalia, came to America from Ethiopia. I played and coached in the National Soccer Program there, now I coach the kids in the Meadow Park program."
We keep our distance, keep everything clean and we'll be okay.
Create awareness of this in our neighborhood.
We must fight this virus in two parts.
1) Defend with awareness.
2) Do work by giving distance.
"We must help our society by giving courage and brains to fight this, to build up our county and our people."
Kirkpatrick Family
Neighborhood: Eastside
Years in Neighborhood: 3 years
"Life came to a screeching halt at just the time I needed it to, my focus could shift to my work surrounding food security. I’m using this time to teach people ways to grow food and create change in food insecurity.
There are challenges though during this crisis, like the fear my son feels of friends and family getting sick."
"I'm an introvert so it was fine that my RCTC graduation was online."
"There’s an opportunity here for positive change."
Sin Family
Neighborhood: Meadow Park
Years in Neighborhood: 8 years
"People have been reaching out to me for technology help, both in my community and for work.
I’ve been working remotely, while my wife is a small business owner and was forced to close her salon.
Online learning and all the navigating between different apps and passwords has been difficult for our children."
"We are most looking forward to seeing family and getting back to supporting local businesses like Mr. Pizza."
Ali Family
Neighborhood: Eastwood
Years in Neighborhood:16 years
"We are busy doing homework, working, gardening, cutting grass, ACT prep, TV, Youtube, planting new trees and reading books."
"Our family is keeping a positive mindset, helping others to keep moving forward, and hoping for positive change."
“Coronavirus had to happen for things to change. This pandemic has exposed injustices, racial disparities, environmental injustice, technology disparities and accessibility to resources."
"Because we are fortunate at this hard time, we have been able to help others, more than receive help ourselves."
Mayo Loft Group
"The pandemic has closed a lot of doors."
"We have all experienced loss due to restrictions."
"One of our husbands is in the hospital since March 16th and he hasn’t been able to have visitors, one has had to stop treatment, and our group home in Wisconsin had to close."
"We have used WhatsApp to connect with family overseas and spent time watching Netflix."
Benjamin Family
Neighborhood: Northern Heights Park
Years in Neighborhood: 9 years
"As a therapist, it feels helpless trying to help kids right now."
"As a teacher, it’s hard to know what to plan for."
"The uncertainty is high and the days blend together."
"We have been trying to stay connected by doing a weekly FaceTime with extended family."
Windman Family
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Years in Neighborhood: 5 years
"Watching the kids be impacted has been the most difficult part."
"This crisis has shaken our kids routines and their interactions with friends.
We’ve had to make new routines as it’s been different being in the house with kids ALL of the time.
We are looking forward to some sense of normalcy and moving to a new home soon!"
Segura Family
Neighborhood: Oak Terrace/Parkside
Years in Neighborhood : 10 years
"We miss swimming!
Can you open the pool already?"
"We miss our big family get-togethers but it's not safe to see them.
This has been a hard time for the kids.
We are ready to spend time outside of our home and will welcome any bit of normal life."
Chang Family
Neighborhood: Southern Hills
Years in Neighborhood: 15 years
"Online- Done! Because I’ve been able to pick my own schedule distance learning has been easier than regular school, but it’s been difficult not to see friends or classmates."
"I have siblings that live elsewhere and I miss them. When this is over, I’ll be really ready to see them."
"Working from home. If I have a client, I go see them or work from home."
"It’s important for us to keep our grandparents safe, although hard as a teenager not seeing friends with all this free time."
"It’s been a good time to focus on family."
Ruzek Family
Neighborhood: Elton Hills
Years in Neighborhood:
"To move forward, we have gotten creative! We are 'people' people and miss being with our friends and family."
"We’ve left gifts at our friends’ doorsteps, sent gifts and cards virtually and through the mail, virtual cake decorating, and created new memories by playing family trivia virtually.
The trivia has been fun enough that we want to keep it up after the pandemic!"
Krippendorf Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 5 years
"It’s been tough not having activities for the kids, we might buy a jungle gym.
My kid misses his teacher and distance learning has been challenging.
We found out his teacher lives in Winona and may drop a gift by tomorrow. She deserves it!
Our jobs have been trying as well, my husband works in the emergency room and my teaching has shifted to distance learning.
We were supposed to move to New York City, but now we’re staying right here in Rochester."
Bowman Family
Neighborhood: Hundred Acre Woods
Years in Neighborhood: 3 years
"Our neighbors met our newborn before our family."
"To show support during COVID, our neighborhood put hearts on their doors and practice social distancing.
It’s been hard to not connect with others during this time of family growth, but we are appreciative for our neighborhood."
Bacon Family
Neighborhood: Elton Hills
Years in Neighborhood: 6 years
"The kids see their friends, but they can’t play with them. That’s the hardest thing for us, is not being able to play with neighbors.
I’m a Physical Education teacher and started socially distanced cul-de-sac P.E. classes. It’s helped us stay active and keep moving forward."
Lynch Home
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 8 years
"I have felt trapped and the most challenging thing is feeling like I have to stay home.
I’m a teacher and I’ve been working from home.
Once summer begins, I’m planning to have something fun on the schedule every week. I need a vacation!"
Morales Family
Neighborhood: Meadow Park Initiative
Years in Neighborhood: 5 years
"I've been thinking about how to pay my obligations
and keep our family safe at home."
"The most difficult thing for me and my family has been to be all at home, but Friendship Park has given us the opportunity to recreate a place for ourselves and have time for healthy fun."
Magyar Milbrandt Family
Neighborhood: Historic SW
Years in Neighborhood: 6 years
"At first we were freaked out. How would it change our world? My husband is a doctor, my sister works in healthcare, and I’m an artist.
But we’re getting used to the changes.
I miss socializing and hugging friends, but overall we consider ourselves very fortunate.
One of the things we can control is our own attitude and the ability to support and build up our friends and community."
Nordstrom Family
Neighborhood: Eastside
Years in Neighborhood: 8 years
"I’ve converted a play space into my home office to work from home."
"It’s been difficult to lower our expectations, to not see people and have everything be cancelled.
We have been trying to get out to bike, walk and garden as much as possible with a 3 month old."
"Having faith is important to our house as this crisis unfolds."
Hinton Family
Neighborhood: Homestead
Years in Neighborhood: 4 years
"We’ve been through several family tragedies lately and it’s been so difficult to decide what to do about funerals. It’s a lot to take in.
After my baby was born on April 1st, I’ve been doing postpartum video therapy. That’s going well.
We are trying to move forward, my older boy has brought the new baby joy and brotherly love."
"I love math. I’m going to teach my baby brother math."
Cassady Family
Neighborhood: Fowell SW
Years in Neighborhood: 10 years
"Before this crisis no one wanted to hang out, now everyone wants to hang out."
"Online learning has been easy, but we really miss friends and family."
"My wife works in healthcare, working two weeks on and two weeks off. To protect us, she stays somewhere else when she’s working."
"We have been sewing masks, being safe when we are out, doing our grandma’s shopping and waving to her from a distance."
Fong Family
Neighborhood: Fowell SW
Years in Neighborhood: 12 years
"The unknowns are challenging.
I lost my mom during the pandemic, which was really hard.
Missing friends and her teacher has been hard on our daughter.
But we’re lucky, we have lots of family and activities to stay busy with."
"We have spent more time with family and on projects, like we built a corn hole game and have been riding our bikes."
Fadlia Family
Neighborhood: Pine Ridge
Years in Neighborhood: 7 years
"It's been a stressful time living through this. I'm a teacher and brother is a physician.
We are missing seeing students and friends in person, doing hands-on learning, and participating in activities."
"Unfortunately, we had to cancel travel plans this summer."
"We will be playing football and soccer to keep moving."
Dario Family
Neighborhood: Cimarron
Years in Neighborhood: 13 years
"I had COVID-19 and was quarantined in the cities, but it wasn’t that bad for me.
A handful of people in our Sudanese community have had it too, but our community has all been taking care of each other."
"Online learning started easy, but now it seems like a lot."
"The things I’m most looking forward to are seeing friends and going on dance tour. "
Block Family
Project Collection Team Member
Neighborhood: Lincolnshire - Arbor Glen
"The Front Door Project was an incredible way to capture this raw moment in time.
Our community is resilient, diverse, and hopeful. I am grateful to have met and learned from these families."
"We are best when we are connected to one another; COVID-19 has brought people to a new understanding and appreciation for one another."
Buus Family
Neighborhood: Eastside
Years in Neighborhood: 4 years
"This pandemic has forced changes for us, but we both still have jobs and are grateful."
"It’s been difficult not seeing grandparents and extended family, but we have created a fun to-do list that includes having bonfires and hammock-ing."
"During these days of uncertainty, we are trying to remember that we are still in control of our happiness and the tone that we use."
Amundsen Home
Neighborhood: Slatterly Park
Years in Neighborhood: 50 years
"I’m newly retired and although I talk, email, or text daily with friends and wonderful neighbors, the thing I miss the most is companionship. I miss coffee with friends.
When the weather got nice, I shifted from making masks (I made over 100) and quilting to working outside on my garden. This year, I’ll be planting more vegetables than flowers, like the Victory Gardens of the 1940s.
To me, being outside with nature is healing, mentally, physically and spiritually.”
Matthews Family
Neighborhood: Northern Heights
Years in Neighborhood: 7 years
"We have felt sadness and are challenged by the unknowns during the crisis so far.
Our neighborhood is incredibly interactive. We play games to connect, like charades from across the yard and Sudoku in the driveways.
To connect with my mother in another neighborhood behind our house, we use flashlights across the yards."
Hawkins Home
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 12 years
"I still go in to work and the banter with my co-workers is a nice break in solitude.
There are lots of people to reach out and connect with, too many to even list.
It’s been tough not going to restaurants, meeting with friends in person, or especially – traveling!"
Taylor Family
Neighborhood: Falcon Heights
Years in Neighborhood: 13 years
"It’s my senior year and it’s been disappointing how many things, like graduation, that I’ve missed.
I’ll be going to Howard college in Washington D.C., hopefully this fall. That goal has kept me moving forward and staying positive."
"We can’t wait to travel again!"
Orth Family
Neighborhood: Elton Hills
"We’re normally super social and love hosting people.
The pandemic has had an immense impact on our lives, my sister had to change her wedding plans to her living room, and my wife and I are nurses in cardiac with the possibility of being furloughed.
She has had to be tested for COVID-19 four times, thankfully all negative.
We have family on the west coast and our family is social distancing, but our neighbors are always outside if we need someone to connect with."
Ferreira Family
Neighborhood: Oak Terrace/Parkside
Years in Neighborhood: 1 year
I’ve stopped working at Target and have taken on the role of caretaker for my boyfriend with COVID-19. It’s been hard to watch the news because it continues to be devastating.
It’s difficult to not know what tomorrow brings, but it’s part of life. We have to roll with the punches.
Our family goes to the park to keep our spirits up and keep move forward."
Morey Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 13 years
"In some ways, life goes on, although we haven’t seen family or friends face-to-face in months.
Our daycare has been open this whole time, which has been good for both of us.
I’ve been going in to work with cancer patients at Methodist and some daily procedures continue on virtually.
We’re looking forward to seeing grandma and grandpa and our friends in person hopefully soon."
Runke Family
Neighborhood: Elton Hills
Years in Neighborhood: 13 years
"It has been challenging not going normal places and seeing close friends, but we are fortunate to stay busy while working and learning at home.
The teachers paraded through our neighborhood, which was a joy for the kids and dogs alike.
We have cabin fever. Our screen time has increased, but at least we have Disney!"
Ferguson Family
Neighborhood: Eastside
Years in Neighborhood: 2 years
"Our baby was born on the day that a national emergency was declared for COVID-19.
It has been really difficult taking care of our kids and new baby, while going back to work.
We are looking forward to when the kids can go back to daycare and some normalcy begins.
We’re looking for a new normal."
Hooke Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 11 years
"We have had lots of moments of frustration and challenge as we have both been working from home and balancing parenting during this crisis.
We are grateful not to be also teaching from home, although our kids did recently learn which part of women that babies come from.
To stay positive we have hiked at every possible location locally."
Havelick Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 42 years
"I'm tired of being paranoid and are ready to give hugs again. I want to run out and hug you right now!"
To help our community, we have been working on the Jeremiah Program online fundraiser.
We just found out we can't do porch fest with our band - Raven's Fire.
To entertain ourselves, we have been enjoying listening to opera, in fact that is what we’re going to do right now."
Sutor and Peña
Project Collection Team Members
Neighborhood: Meadow Park Initiative
April: "Working on this project has been very uplifting!
The people we worked with were so excited to be included in a positively focused activity.
The pride each showed about their neighborhood was palpable. Absolutely inspiring!"
Spindler-Krage Family
Neighborhood: Historic SW
Years in Neighborhood: 17 years
"We have all had different reactions to online learning, my college student thinks it’s fine, my high schooler enjoys picking the order in which he completes his classes, and my middle schooler thinks it’s boring.
As a teacher, it’s going okay but there is a huge impact that meeting in person creates that we’re missing out on. Schools are for so much more than the small academic piece. Online learning creates equity issues, but Rochester Public Schools has made a huge attempt to close that gap for students.
There are silver linings in this crisis, like looking for the common good and offering alternatives."
Atkinson Home
Neighborhood: Eastside
Years in Neighborhood: 25 years
"I’ve been scared and angry. I had my vacation time planned around music groups that I’m in and all of that has been cancelled. It will be a long time until I can even go back into the office.
To move forward, I’ve been gardening and going on walks. How do we create a new normal?
Gile Family
Neighborhood: Slatterly Park
Years in Neighborhood: 1.5 years
"I miss going to school and hate online learning.
This crisis isn’t very fun."
"To keep busy I’ve been skateboarding."
"I’m trying to lead our household by being positive and doing more cooking than usual. Lately I’ve been baking lots of pies."
Wilfahrt Family
Project Collection Team Member
Neighborhood: Eastside
Years in Neighborhood: 2.5 years
"We created an internet Scrabble league that has really helped us virtually connect with friends and family."
Starting a new job two weeks before COVID hit has been interesting. On one hand, everyone has been very approachable and willing to help. On the other hand, it is strange to get to know new colleagues over a computer screen."
Mehta Family
Years in Neighborhood: 3 years
"I participated in Step Up to Shop, which helps vulnerable community members by delivering groceries and supplies to them. It feels good to help the community.
I’m in high school and distance learning has been difficult to stay on top of. 9pm-12am is when I do my work.
To connect with others, I’ve talked with my friends over video games, but it’s hard that we can’t meet up. Netflix has been a good way to bond with my mom (a health care provider). She’s kind of like a cool mom, I guess."
Halasy Family
Project Collection Team Member
Neighborhood: Ridge View Manor
Years in Neighborhood: 2 years
"Thanks to amazing project partners and participants, this effort has blossomed into something far more beautiful that I could have imagined. The Front Door Project grew from a photo that the Mayor sent my way from the Front Steps Project. From there I had a conversation with Karen from the Public Library about the need to connect people virtually during this uncertain time when everyone was asked to stay at home. Once the idea was somewhat solidified we needed a gifted photographer. Shawn Fagan was the perfect fit and was willing to embark on a nontraditional, socially distanced portrait effort. Then Kristin from the United Way stepped in to plan a method for collecting people’s lived experiences with the pandemic. We had a Zoom meeting with representatives from the partnering organizations to think through exactly what we wanted the goal of the project to be, which developed into: documenting with photos and narrative, a diverse selection of Rochester, Minnesota, neighbors living through COVID-19. And the collection does just that. We documented a mosaic of households across Rochester who lived in apartments, townhomes, mobile homes, and houses. Half way through the effort, members of the Collection Team concluded that if we were asking others to share their experiences with us, it was only fair our households shared as well.
"This project has been heartwarming to be involved with.
"I’m so grateful for the time, talents, and goodwill that have gone into knitting together this collection of neighbors supporting their community during this time in history."
Deiter Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 5 years
"I want to see live music and start playing live again.
I’m in a band and we have been practicing through garage band and holding virtual series. We miss live music though and are looking forward to start booking gigs again."
"We’ve felt restrained and unsure during the pandemic, but also connected through virtual support."
Walby Family
Neighborhood: Elton Hills
"Our family misses going to church, school, and visiting family on Facetime."
"It’s challenging not being able to go places and feeling contained, but we can’t give in to fear or believe everything we read."
"We actually enjoyed our pre-natal appointments because the nurses and everyone we encountered had the time to talk with us."
Charlebois Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 5 years
"I’m a nurse and shower immediately when I get home, even before caring for our baby."
"The hardest things have been our grandparents not being able to meet our new baby and teaching from home. When we need to reach out, we connect with our family, sometimes over Zoom."
Fagan Family
Project Collection Team Member
Neighborhood: Badger Ridge
"For six weeks I did not have the opportunity to do what I love to do – create a portrait of a person!
Due to the stay at home order, we were required to close our photography studio doors as we, along with the rest of the community, stayed home to help do what we could against the pandemic.
As with others, we mainly had 2D interactions with people through computer video calls. So to actually be out in public, to talk with people face to face (of course distanced,) and to then photograph them, felt SO good to my soul and mental state!
It seemed to be reciprocal too as our subjects seemed to be delighted in talking to actual people as well.
It was amazing to hear everyone’s responses to our questions mimic what we were hearing throughout the project: We can’t wait to see friends again, we can’t wait to be with our extended family again, we can’t wait to dine at a local restaurant again, distanced learning is tough for our kids!
Every answer resounded so much with how I felt and thought as well.
It was in a small way comforting in this difficult time to know that we were all in this the same, in it together. Comforting to know as well, that we’ll get out of this together too!"
Foulke Family
Neigbhorhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 3 years
We just got married! We have been grateful to do things together as newlyweds during this time."
"We have felt anxiety and sadness as this crisis unfolds, but are trying to keep in mind the things we can control, not the weather, but our own happiness."
Esliat Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 5 years
"We have a new baby and it’s difficult because we can’t be with family as much as we’d like. We have FaceTimed with grandparents, taken more walks and gotten takeout from local restaurants."
"All of that helps, but we are looking forward to more normal times and time to just focus on being parents."
Valentine Home
Neighborhood: Historic SW
Years in Neighborhood: 14 years
"Social distancing does not bother me, I’m an introvert.
My work hasn’t been affected because I work in the trades.
I do miss going downtown, going to dinner and going to church."
"Going out to dinner downtown will be the first thing I do after quarantine. I’ll go to any restaurant and stand in a line. I will wait!"
Finne Family
Neighborhood: Fowell SW
Years in Neighborhood: 19 years
"This crisis has been a roller coaster. No rest."
"We are small business owners and found ourselves wondering if we’ll be able to keep our business. We’re trying to figure things out. Nothing like a global pandemic to make people think of community and buy local."
"We have elder parents and family living in other countries, so we been thinking about them a lot. We have stayed very thankful and have been really impressed by our kids. They’ve been real troopers. They have hunkered down and made it work."
Kyei-Baffour Family
Neighborhood: Parkwood Hills
"We’re excited for salons and restaurants to re-open. His hair is suffering."
"It’s been hard not being able to go anywhere, to ask questions in person to teachers and not playing soccer."
"I really miss walking to class and interacting with professors and friends."
"During COVID-19 we have to work to not stress. I’m looking forward to going out to dine in a restaurant."
Hulsing Family
Neighborhood: Slatterly Park
Years in Neighborhood: 11 years
"We have an 11 month old and have missed seeing grandparents and family. We've had to cancel trips to visit them. That's been the hardest thing, missing family."
"We’ve been working from home, exercising outside, and using Zoom to connect."
"We have neighbors that we chat with outside in the evenings."
Merrit Family
Neighborhood: Kutzky Park
Years in Neighborhood: 8 years
"We are busy, but feel fortunate that we can adjust our lives to socially distance."
"It’s been challenging to cancel trips, miss school, teachers, family and especially friends."
"We’re grateful we were able to spend time with grandparents before March, but now we are struggling missing them."
"We had a chaotic birthday party for our one-year-old last week in quarantine, complete with a cake.
We're making the best of it."
Ojullu Family
Neighborhood: Cimarron
Years in Neighborhood: 4 years
"I’m in the nursing program at RCTC and was doing work study as well, but with the impact of the pandemic and taking care of my kids, it was too much."
"I have asked my professors for accommodations, longer quiz times, and I do homework after the kids are asleep.
Now I’m focusing on taking courses this summer to finish school as soon as possible. It’s time to start working."
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