Standing between their bunk beds, Margie admires her four sons: Johnny, 13, Pierre, 11, Jamont, 9, and Johnnell, 11. She always took care of her kids until she fell in love with a drug addict and became addicted herself. Her children's world fell apart and they became homeless residents at the mission. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago. 1999

Donna Ferrato captured this black and white photograph of Margie and her four sons at the Olive Branch Mission in Chicago. This image, taken during Ferrato's work documenting domestic spaces, presents a poignant view into a family navigating homelessness and addiction. Margie's gaze speaks to the complexities of motherhood under the weight of systemic challenges. Her story, etched in the lines of her face, reflects the intersectional issues of poverty, race, and drug addiction which disproportionately affect women of color. The space, crowded with bunk beds and belongings, tells of the lack of privacy and the communal nature of shelter living. Ferrato’s work confronts us with the raw realities faced by many families, urging us to acknowledge the human stories behind the statistics. It asks us to reflect on our society's role in creating and perpetuating cycles of poverty and addiction, while reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit.