I met Alexus at a Salvation Army shelter in Philadelphia. Because both of her parents were incarcerated while she was growing up, much of her life has been spent in various homeless situations. She has lived in several different shelters, camped out with various family members, and for one brief period of time as an adolescent, was actually on the street. 

Having a son made her determined not to give him the life that she had as a child. These patterns are difficult to break out of, however. Family members of incarcerated individuals are often referred to as "hidden victims" — victims of the criminal justice system who are neither acknowledged nor given a platform to be heard. These hidden victims receive little personal support and do not benefit from the systemic societal mechanisms generally available to direct crime victims, despite their prevalence and the similarities they have to direct crime victims. Children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system, in particular, face a host of challenges and difficulties: psychological strain, antisocial behavior, suspension or expulsion from school, economic hardship, and criminal activity. 

Studies have indicated that the prison boom of the last 40 years has likely been a key driver of the growing racial disparities in child homelessness, and increasing black-white inequality  by 65 percent since the 1970s.

Alexus has never given in to despair. In her own words, she is “grateful for God, the shelter, friends and my little boy” Michael. She felt certain that her life would get better and that she would find work and a real home for herself and her son. I lost touch with Alexus during the early days of the pandemic, when she left the shelter and stopped responding to messages.

Hand sewn art quilt; @ 4 ft x 4 ft.