Invisible Child: Dasani's Homeless Life

Overview

• Published by: The New York Times
• Author: Andrea Elliott
• Photography: Ruth Fremson
• Publication Date: December 9, 2013

Dasani's Environment

Living Conditions

• Lives in Auburn Family Residence, a city-run shelter
• Auburn: Decrepit with mold, roaches, poor plumbing, and unsafe conditions
• Shares a 520-square-foot room with parents and 7 siblings
• Shelter lacks certificate of occupancy, has been cited for deplorable conditions
• More than 22,000 homeless children in NYC, highest since Great Depression

Daily Routine

• Dasani, 11, takes on caregiving roles for siblings
• Responsible for chores and ensuring siblings get to school
• Lives in poverty, conditions of neglect, even amidst family love

Societal Context

Gentrification and Inequality

• Fort Greene, Dasani's neighborhood, experiencing gentrification
• Mayor Bloomberg's policies have led to increased homeless rates
• City's inequality grows, affecting children like Dasani

Education

• Attends Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts
• School struggles with budget cuts but offers a supportive environment
• Dasani shows intelligence and talent, particularly in dance
• School acts as a refuge and provides a glimpse of potential

Family Dynamics

Family Situation

• Parents: Unemployed, history of arrests, drug addiction
• Parents rely on methadone; financial instability
• Family dreams of moving to a better place, contemplating Pennsylvania

Challenges

• Parental dysfunction impacts stability and opportunities
• Dasani learns to navigate poverty and chaos, finding strength in her identity
• Faces social challenges at school due to her homeless status

Personal Aspirations

Dasani's Resilience

• Maintains hope and dreams despite challenging circumstances
• Talented in dance and academics
• Faces societal and familial obstacles but remains determined

Community and Support

• Community perception: marked by stigma of homelessness
• Schools and teachers recognize Dasani’s potential
• Encouragement from educators helps foster hope

Conclusion

• Dasani's story highlights the intersection of poverty, homelessness, and policy failures
• Urban renewal and economic policies have left marginalized communities behind
• Represents broader issues of child poverty in America

Multimedia & Reader Perspectives

• Videos and interviews provide deeper insight into Dasani's life
• Readers call for systemic change to address poverty
• Comments highlight the need for societal responsibility and support for children

References

• Andrea Elliott's ongoing reporting provides a narrative of Dasani's life
• Additional resources available for further exploration of the story