{"id":531,"date":"2025-07-23T16:35:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T16:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nataliamds.org\/equitablepathways\/?p=531"},"modified":"2026-02-20T15:12:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T15:12:35","slug":"concrete-of-despair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/matthewmarr.org\/equitablepathways\/photographers\/juan-melecio\/concrete-of-despair\/","title":{"rendered":"Concrete of Despair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Juan Melecio<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Remembering the past:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concrete drew on my spirit and drained me of all my energy and motivation. It delayed me from getting help amid the drama on the block. The flies, the ants, the negativity. It was part of life, but it was hell on Earth. Concrete is like gravity. It pulls you down. We were fed physically, but not spiritually.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/span>
\n
\n
\n
\n

Call to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For other people going through this \u2013 you have to take the initiative regardless of what you\u2019re going through. The rejection, mental health, pain from the past, and the regrets in life. You have to do the footwork. Stay focused and reach out to case workers, outreach workers, the Homeless Trust, doctors’ offices for medical appointments. Don\u2019t expect them to come to you.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

MORE<\/strong> BY JUAN MELECIO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n