When I enrolled in the Master’s in Journalism and Media Innovation program at the University of Nevada, Reno, I earned an assistantship through my Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship. As per Fellowship requirements, I had to work with an underserved community.
This in turn opened the opportunity for me to work as a reporter for Our Town Reno, a multimedia street reporting collective in Reno. For the next year and a half, I interviewed individuals at their homeless camps and shelters, as well as community activists and political leaders.
What follows on this page are a few pieces related to my time working for Our Town Reno.
2021
Jeremy, Looking to Regain Health and Energy to Move After Third Heart Attack
2020
Darius, Struggling without an ID and Local Recovery Programs
Scott King, An Our Town Reno Reporter Bids Farewell
Ashley, Thankful to Still Be Alive after an Injury, Losing Work, Housing and a Mugging
Paul White Pivots while Still Taking to Task “Compassionate” Help for the Houseless
Rico, Searching for Inner Peace After the Loss of His Brothers
The River Stewards, a new Washoe County Day Labor Initiative to Help the Homeless
HopeSprings, a New Bridge Housing Project Still Faces Financial Hurdles to Open
Rose, Unable to Hear or to Access Housing after Being Evicted
Marcus, Put on a Train and Finding the Big Tent Shelter in Reno
Our Lady of The Snows Launches New Food Help During the Pandemic
Lucia Starbuck, an Our Town Reno Reporter Bids Farewell
Reno Through a Lens: Eric Marks, A Documentarian on the Streets at Night
Jeff Bogue, Making a Case for Safe Parking and Cheap Showers in Reno
RISE, Creating Our Place for Women, Families and Seniors Without Shelter
Chris, Comparing City Services after Relocating to Reno from Portland
Ian, Seeking More Help for Those with Mental Health Challenges
Health Care for the Underserved, Different Perspectives on Reno’s Community Health Alliance
Tayler McCurley, Changing the Narrative Around Mental Health, One Story at a Time
Art, Trying to Help Reno’s Newly Displaced
Bryan’s Plight: Going Blind, Evicted and Getting Displaced
Angela Gets Robbed and Harassed in Reno, After Walking Here from California
Malik Muhammad, Looking to Rebound after Being Caught with Drugs
Chris Seaborn, From Portland to Hollywood to Reno, Hoping to Finish His Novel
Derrick Pillors, Smiling Through Increasingly Uncertain Times
Daniel, Getting His ID Stolen, and Jailed for Sitting, Among Many Tribulations
Miles Vinson, Displaced by Fire and the Affordable Housing Crisis
2019
Melissa and Michael, Finding Strength in Family Despite Sleeping in Separate Shelters
Reno Man Fights Addiction, Time, and Waiting Lists to Regain Custody of His Daughter
Devon Reese, Concerned About QOL, Winter and Delays with New Housing and Shelter Projects
Laika Press, Keeping Printmaking Alive for All in Reno
Meghan Simons, Individualizing Help for Substance Users at The Life Change Center
Darcy, Holding a Light of Hope in Our Community’s Battle Against Addiction
Residents Bringing a Community’s Diverse Culture to a Bridge Underpass