Desmond Davis, 18, admires his baritone, the instrument he plays in North Dallas High School's band. Photo/Lara Solt

Gallery
May 18, 2015

Exploring Homeless Life

by eaasen

Explore pictures and a video from KERA’s American Graduate: Homeless In High School series.

Slideshow: Scenes From Collin County

The Samaritan Inn, a homeless shelter in Collin County, has 160 beds. Go inside The Samaritan Inn.

Sylvia Torres eats lunch at McKinney North High School. Photo/Lara Solt
Sierra Mickell in class at McKinney North High School in Collin County. Photo/Lara Solt
Marshella Davis is a counselor at McKinney North High School. Photo/Lara Solt
Abi Akere is a counselor at The Samaritan Inn in McKinney. Photo/Lara Solt
Timothy Waters is a caseworker at The Samaritan Inn in McKinney. Photo/Lara Solt
Sylvia Torres grabs lunch in the cafeteria at McKinney North High School. Photo/Lara Solt
A common area at The Samaritan Inn in McKinney, a homeless shelter in Collin County. Photo/Lara Solt
Inside one of the rooms at The Samaritan Inn in McKinney. Photo/Lara Solt
A hallway at The Samaritan Inn in McKinney, a homeless shelter in Collin County. Photo/Lara Solt
Lynne Sipiora is the executive director at The Samaritan Inn in McKinney. Photo/Lara Solt
The entrance to The Samaritan Inn in McKinney. The organization was founded in 1984. Photo/Lara Solt

Slideshow: Meet Desmond Davis

Desmond Davis is a senior at North Dallas High School. He’s the Bulldogs’ drum major, plays in the band, runs track and wrestles for the school. He’s also homeless. He lives with Charles ‘CJ’ Johnson, who has taken in kids from the school for several years.

Charles 'CJ' Johnson, right, instructs Desmond Davis on how to prepare chicken fried chicken at his home in Dallas. Johnson has taken in more than 40 homeless boys since 2001. Photo/Lara Solt
Desmond Davis, 18, drinks a soda after school in his room at Charles 'CJ' Johnson's home in Dallas. Photo/Lara Solt
Desmond Davis, 18, admires his baritone, the instrument he plays in North Dallas High School's band. Photo/Lara Solt
Desmond Davis, 18, admires his baritone, the instrument he plays in North Dallas High School's band. Photo/Lara Solt
Charles 'CJ' Johnson instructs Desmond Davis on how to prune a rose bush at his home. Photo/Lara Solt
Charles 'CJ' Johnson, left, and Brandon Jones talk at Johnson's home in Dallas. Jones, who still stops by to get his mail, lived with Johnson for five years. "That's my dad basically," Jones says. "Everybody calls him 'the godfather.'" Photo/Lara Solt
North Dallas High School student Desmond Davis tries on a hat while looking for a tux for his upcoming prom at Al's Formal Wear in Dallas. Photo/Lara Solt
North Dallas High School student Desmond Davis tries on a suit for his upcoming prom at Al's Formal Wear in Dallas. Photo/Lara Solt
North Dallas High School student Desmond Davis looks for a suit for his upcoming prom at Al's Formal Wear in Dallas. Photo/Lara Solt
Senior Desmond Davis leaves North Dallas High School after an Action Team meeting. Photo/Lara Solt
Charles 'CJ' Johnson, left, and Desmond Davis, a student who is currently living with him, talk to other Action Team volunteers during an Action Team meeting at North Dallas High School. Photo/Lara Solt
Desmond Davis is a senior at North Dallas High School. Photo/Ginny Martin
Desmond Davis is a senior at North Dallas High School. Photo/Ginny Martin
Desmond Davis plays in the band at North Dallas High School. Photo/Ginny Martin
Desmond Davis attends an Action Team meeting at North Dallas High School. Photo/Lara Solt
Desmond Davis is a senior at North Dallas High School. Photo/Ginny Martin
Desmond Davis is a senior at North Dallas High School. Photo/Ginny Martin