Hello!
The plight of the homeless continues to be a growing cause for concern in both New York City and many other cities across the country. It is for this very reason it was a great honor to attend the recent reception for Photographer TeunVoeten's Tunnel People. The November 30th invite came courtesy of Designer Zang Toi in support of his dear friend, Community Activist and Socialite Cecilia Lewis (see photo at left).
The 3-hour event was hosted by MAPC/St. James Homeless Shelter, and was held at the famed Upper Eastside, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. Over Moet and delicious hors d'oeuvres, attendees were given an up close viewing (via silent auction) of the acclaimed black and white photographs featured in the book Tunnel People*** -- a riveting pictorial of the living conditions of homeless men and some women during the mid 90's.
We spoke with Ms. Lewis about her involvement with the St. James Homeless Shelter, she shared "I've always thought about the homeless and then I met Teun at an event and he showed me some photographs he had taken and I was going to St. James' church... worked at the soup kitchen and also volunteered at the shelter. When I saw his photographs I thought My God, maybe there is something I can do to help." Indeed she did, as her zeal led this VERY evening's existence.
The highlight of the evening, as you may have imagined, a conversation 
with Dutch Photojournalist Teun Voeten. Also present for conversation was Bernard Isaacs an eloquent former tunnel dweller. The discussion was moderated by former ABC News Correspondent Bob Jamieson. Both Voeten and Isaac discussed their experiences as described in the book and the impact it had on their lives then and now. Following the discussion attendees were afforded the opportunity to speak with Mr. Voeten and Mr. Issac one on one.
Special mention goes to Mr. Toi who generously paid for his own group of beloved clients, arsenal of models, and well-positioned friends to attend Tunnel People--they included: American Ballet Theatre Soloist Cory Stearns, Artist Natasha Zupan, Jeweler Wendy Brandes, IMG Model Ling Tan, Zang Toi House Model Deborah Fenker (see photo below), Multi-Media Journalist Li Cheng, Photography Agent Noah Bruun (see photo below, and Socialite Yilin Hsu.
Book sales and the proceeds from the silent auction are being used to fund an emergency drop-in shelter that will be open to those in need during the coming winter months. The budget for six months of operation is $37,000.
***- At the end of the millennium, thousands of homeless people roamed the streets of Manhattan. A small group of them went underground. Invisible to society, they managed to start a new life in the city's tunnel systems. Acclaimed war photographer and cultural anthropologist Teun Voeten gained unprecedented access to this netherworld. For five months in 1994 & 1995 he lived, slept, and worked in the tunnels. In Tunnel People, Voeten describes w/humor and compassion their daily work, problems and pleasures; he also tells us what became of the people he photographed more than a decade ago.
*photos by The Quest for "it"
