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Struggling For Better (14 images)

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  • Hanging out with close friends and just relaxing = good times on Allison Hill. A regular pastime to keep morale up amidst hard economic times. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Nickel Boy proudly showcases a personal proverbial truth. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Tameka Baxter aka Mz. Meka, 24 yrs. old from Brooklyn, NY is a singer, rapper, and poet. "I'm performing at a block party later on", said Meka. The block party, on Allison Hill, was hosted by local music organization The Official Cartel and was an exhibition for local artists of all sorts to showcase and hone their talents to peers and neighbors.today". JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Crystal Foster straightens and combs Gavin Bressler's hair before celebrating a birthday with a pool party at 16th and Boas. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Elodia Saenz cooks and serves at The Taco Truck at 13th and Market Street almost everyday. Harrisburg residents of all ages and races come to The Taco Truck for delicious, authentic Mexican tacos and beverages. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Family friends (bottom) Lizzie Ice, Matt Ice Jr., Starr Ice, (top) Matt Ice Sr., Ron Gofort, Austin Gofort, and Amber Gofort socialize with each other frequently in their neighborhood "The Hill" in Harrisburg, PA. "I just moved here from Baltimore three weeks ago and the people seem very respectful", says Starr Ice. Ice and her family moved from Baltimore because of the poor economy there and says the worst she's experienced in Harrisburg so far was "a guy asking me how much?" Insinuating prostitution. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Heavily and often patrolled, some residents of Allison Hill in Harrisburg wish some sort of agreement or understanding can be made with the HPD. Clearly aware of the issues of Allison Hill, residents of all races want the police to know that they all aren't criminals and just want a better quality of life. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • A resident of Harrisburg, PA, Mindi, says that the majority of the city's violence stems from no work. The economy has affected Harrisburg in a powerful way. "Kids grow up poor and become what they see. There's nothing here for kids to do so they turn to crime", said Mindi. The Harrisburg School Board cut the after school activities so Mindi says there are a lot more kids roaming the streets. "If they invest in the schools and stop investing in downtown the city's situation may get better", said the mother of one and grandmother of two. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News


  • (clockwise from bottom) Legend Wells, 9 yrs. London Wells 8 yrs., Kaliyah Edrington 7 yrs., Colby Chisholm, 12 yrs. old celebrate three friends' birthdays with childhood innocence in Midtown Harrisburg. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • There are several acts of senseless violence not only in Allison Hill, but throughout Harrisburg. Messiah suffered a potential life-threatening laceration across his neck. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Elodia Saenz cooks and serves at The Taco Truck at 13th and Market Street almost everyday. Harrisburg residents of all ages and races come to The Taco Truck for delicious, authentic Mexican tacos and beverages. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • Seeing parents acting responsibly and raising their children right just makes you want to throw all the negative images society showcases into the trash can. Rahmeel Moore and his son Na'Zira Moore spend time together and walk down Market Street in Harrisburg, PA. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News

  • The screenshot of a self-initiated photo essay I did while interning at The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, PA this past summer 2012. I knew I wanted to find some sort of personal project while there and I stumbled upon a neighborhood with little to no representation other than the negative (murders, stabbings, etc.). I was able to penetrate somewhat, and give life to their struggle and give them a little "shine". My boss loved it and so did the community.