Joseph carries a gas mask because he does not trust the air he breaths. Photo by Kali Kotoski

Marco, from Puerto Rico, lives on the streets of East Harlem. He found these two dolls while collecting cans to deposit in the recycling center. He calls them his wife and son. Photo by Ye Ming

Chloe Collier sneaked into the South Ferry subway station under the turnstile. Photo by Yan Cong

Jamal A., a 36-year-old French, came from Atlanta to New York to fix some paperwork for his passport with the French Consulate a few months ago. He has nowhere to stay in New York, as he’s still waiting for the Consulate to process his documents. “At first it’s awkward, but it’s okay to sleep here, unless it’s cold,” Jamal said. Next to him, two other homeless people have already fell asleep. Photo by Yan Cong

Michael, 53 has been on the streets since 1992. He had been incarcerated for cocaine possession. He has lived on the streets since the day he was released. The subway platform at Columbus Circle is Michael’s home during the winter. “I come here to get away from the cold. I sleep through the noise,” he said. Michael’s parents emigrated from Nairobi, Kenya when he was two. He grew up and worked in Fairfield County, Connecticut before joining the National Guard in 1979. After being discharged in 1983, he worked at car wash and had a string of jobs. He was engaged to be married before he was arrested. “I had a daughter with my fiance, but now I don’t where she is,” he said. Eating fruit that was offered to him by stranger, he said “People in Africa would kill for the food I just received. This is not as bad as it seems.” Photo by Anand Katakam