Humanizing The Homeless

06/15/2025

Honoured to Receive the Meritorious Service Decorations

I’m deeply honoured to share that my father, Tim den Bok, and I have been awarded the Meritorious Service Decorations by the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon — one of the highest honours in the country.

As the founder of Humanizing the Homeless, I began this project at the age of 15 alongside my dad, who has served as its co-founder and creative partner from the very beginning. What started as a father-daughter photography outing to Toronto grew into a national portrait project with a mission: to restore dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness through compassionate storytelling and powerful imagery.

I began taking photographs at age 12 — of pets, sunsets, children, anything I could find — but didn’t think I had any real talent. I was ready to give up, but my father, an artist himself, encouraged me to keep going. His belief in me shaped the path I’m on today.

Everything changed when we discovered the work of Lee Jeffries. Inspired, my father suggested we drive to Toronto to meet and photograph people experiencing homelessness. That day shattered my misconceptions. I was struck by the resilience, warmth, and humanity of the people we met — and the deep injustice of the stereotypes they face.

That day became the beginning of Humanizing the Homeless. Since then, our work has been grounded in two goals: to humanize people experiencing homelessness, and to raise awareness of their struggles in the hope of inspiring meaningful change.

While I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award, I’m even more grateful for the opportunity it brings — to shine a brighter light on the homelessness crisis and help move us one step closer to ending it.

— Leah den Bok
Founder, Humanizing the Homeless

12/27/2024

MIKE

My friend Valerio and I met Mike at the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center in Las Vegas. He said, “I’m from Fresno, California. I’m not homeless all the time. I’ll go for 3–5 months having a place, then decide to have too much fun, gamble too much, and end up at the Courtyard…. I was sleeping on the streets when marshals woke me up and brought me to the Courtyard. When I got there, I thought, what? I can either go back on the streets, find a cardboard box to lay on, or stay here and wait for mats [to sleep on]. There’s security there. I feel safer than on the streets. And I’m too old to be out like that. I’ve been homeless for a month and a half. I’m on disability and make decent money. The problem is rent in Las Vegas. Since the Raiders came [in 2020], it’s gone up a lot. I can afford it, but it leaves me maybe $300–$400 a month to live on.”

At this point, Valerio gave Mike contact info for Helping Vegas, a program that collaborates with charities to provide affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness in Las Vegas.

When asked about family, Mike said, “I have a brother and a son and daughter in Oakland, both in college. I was married for 17 years and set up a college fund for my kids. I also have a twin brother in Missouri, but I don’t know where he is. We got mad at each other, and he decided to move. When I went to check on him, he was gone, and I don’t know how to reach him…. I haven’t talked to my kids in three years. My son was mad. I called, but he wouldn’t answer.”

When asked about his biggest dream, Mike said, “I don’t know. At 63, I’ve been through a lot. I guess my biggest dream is not to die alone. I don’t think anyone wants that. That’s probably it…. I think about [death] a lot because I know at 63, I’m at the END of my life. But I don’t think I have any fears. I try to stay away from that.”



www.humanizingthehomeless.org

11/14/2024

We are excited to share that Humanizing the Homeless photographs and stories will be featured in an exhibition on November 20th in Toronto! This event will be a special evening filled with food and drinks – all in support of WoodGreen Community Services.

📅 November 20th
📍 778 King Street West, Toronto (M5V 1N6)

It would mean a lot to have you there! Let’s come together to celebrate powerful stories and support our community. ❤️

Tickets available in biography: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/photography-exhibition-humanizing-the-homeless-tickets-1045191575137?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

10/28/2024

DANA

Dana told us that she has lived in Guelph her whole life. Although not married, she has been in a relationship with the same man for six years. Together they have a daughter, who is five-years-old. She also told us that her family lives in Guelph, and that she is in contact with them. When asked if she had a good Christmas, Dana replied, “It was unusual. It was interesting.” “Did you eat the turkey meal at the Centre?”, my dad asked. “No, [turkey] makes me sleep,” at which we all laughed. As the photo shoot wound down, Dana suddenly said, “My eyes are watering!” And so, not wishing to cause Dana any more discomfort, we all headed back inside the Centre to warm up.

www.humanizing the homeless.org

09/13/2024

JUSTIN
It was a bitterly cold Boxing Day when my dad and I came across Justin and two of his friends at the corner of Yonge and Queen in Toronto. He was stretched out on a mattress. A couple of dirty blankets and a tarp protected him from the elements. Garbage was strewn around. Justin told us that he has lived in Toronto, “Half my life.” Before that he lived in Hamilton. When asked if he has any family, Justin replied, “I’m the only … only person. I have no family.” He told us that while growing up he lived in a group home. He hasn’t seen his family since he was a child. When I asked him if he misses them, he replied with a simple, “No.” “Do you have a lot of friends?” I asked him. At this he laughed and said, “Yeah, a little bit, a little bit of friends.” “Don’t you mind the cold?” my dad asked Justin. “A little bit,” he replied. “I just … I just get on the side and then put the sheet on top of me.” Justin told us that he doesn’t like shelters. Then, elaborating, he said, “A lot of fighting. A big bottle hits you and then you have to go to the hospital. Everything happens at shelters.” When asked what he did for Christmas, Justin answered by saying, “I stayed around, stayed here, made money, and made gift cards….” “Did you get more stuff at Christmas?” I asked Justin. “Yeah, for two or three days I was getting stuff. A lot of food was dropped off yesterday.

09/02/2024

GISELL

My dad first spotted Gisell when we were doing a photo shoot with another individual outside Fred Victor Housing in Toronto. She was just about to enter the shelter. Because of her striking eyes, he immediately stopped what he was doing and asked her if she would be willing to have her photograph taken afterwards. “Can I put my make-up on first?” she asked my dad. He told her that it wasn’t necessary since I prefer photographing people experiencing homelessness just the way they are. Just before disappearing into the building, she smiled and said, “Maybe.” About 20 minutes later as we were walking through a tent city across the road from the shelter, my dad again spotted Gisell, this time walking with a friend. “Have you decided if you would like to have your photograph taken?” my dad asked Gisell. This time she happily obliged.
Gisell told us that she has three children aged, 7, 11, and 12, whom she hasn’t seen in 7 years. “That’s got to be hard,” my dad said sympathetically. “It is,” she replied sadly. “It’s probably a lot harder on them. I mean … time flies when you get caught up in drugs and stupid **** ****. And it does hurt a lot. But I ******* …. Sorry! I fear for what they’re going through. But I know they’re spoiled rotten, because I know they’ve got the best.” Gisell told us that her children are with their dad. “Are you allowed to visit them?” my dad asked Gisell. “I think he would be open to me visiting,” she replied. “But I’d have to definitely clean up my appearance a lot. I’d have to clean up my life a lot.” “It gives you something to work towards,” my dad said. “Absolutely!” she replied. But try as she might to put on a brave face, her voice was full of fear and uncertainty.

www.humanizingthehomeless.org

09/02/2024

I am thrilled to collaborate with Willie Baronet, who has created a powerful mural from over 1,800 signs collected from people experiencing homelessness, and Jonathan Palant, founder of the Dallas Street Choir, composed of individuals experiencing homelessness.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 5 | 6 p.m.

Join us at the University of Texas at Dallas for an evening of art, music, and conversation to raise awareness about homelessness. A reception will follow, offering a chance to meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. Don’t miss this inspiring event!

09/02/2024

This Thursday at UTD, join Willie Baronet, Palant the Dallas Street Choir, and me for a performance and a look at the exhibit Humanizing the Homeless. 🧡

Upcoming at UT Dallas Aug 30, 2024 Artist Talk and Dallas Street Choir Concert Thursday  Arts & Technology Building (ATC), 1.1 Corridor, 800 W. Campbell Rd.  Admission: Free  Thursday, Sept. 5  6 p.m.  Hear from Jonathan Palant, UT Dallas Associate Dean of the Arts and Director of Choirs, SMU p...

08/31/2024

I’m thrilled to have 30 photographs and stories from my Humanizing The Homeless project on display at the Canadian National Exhibition! A huge thank you to for their incredible support and helping to bring this exhibition to life.


www.humanizingthehomeless.org

08/14/2024

DUFFY “My old man’s passed away,” Duffy declared to us. “Everyone’s passed away. My grandmother’s passed away. She outlived her kids. I wouldn’t like that! … But she still had her mind.” But despite the fact that Duffy, seemingly, has fond memories of his family, it seems that all was not well with his relationship with them. “I was a ward of the court at four,” he told us sadly. “I’ve been on my own since four.” Duffy, who is 58-years-old, was born and raised in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). “I was born in York, the first capital of Canada,” he told us with a note of pride in his voice. However, he grew up in Brampton. “It was 30,000 when I moved there in ’64!” he said excitedly. “Thirty thousand people!” Duffy has travelled the country from coast to coast. When asked what his least favourite place to visit was, he replied, “I’d say the toughest city is Winnipeg, Canada … This is a tough city here. Hamilton’s a tough city.” When asked what his favourite place to visit was, he said, “Actually, it was the Rocky Mountains.” “You’ve got a nice Philadelphia Flyer’s ring on your finger there!” my dad said to Duffy. “Yeah, 1974”, he said as he held it up proudly. “Is that the Stanley Cup ring?”, my dad asked him. “Yeah, its’s got some time on it too,” he replied. When my dad mentioned to Duffy that it probably had some value to it and that there were, likely, some people who would want to get their hands on it, Duffy replied, “They wouldn’t get it off my finger. They’d have to take my finger off.” When we met Duffy he was sitting on a bench, just down the road from the Booth Centre, chatting with his friend Mike. Later Mike said of his friend, “He’s the nicest guy. He’d give you the shirt off his back!”

www.humanizingthehomeless.org

08/14/2024

📸 An upcoming joint exhibit invites the UT Dallas community to broaden its understanding and nurture compassion for people experiencing homelessness.

Experience the struggle of homelessness through the lens of Ontario-based photographer Leah den Bok and Willie Baronet, a professor of creative advertising at SMU.

"Humanizing the Homeless: Portraits, Signs, and Songs," featuring a curated collection of portraits shot by Bok and hand-crafted signs purchased by Baronet from those living on the streets, will be on display in the Edith O'Donnell Arts and Technology Building corridor starting Aug. 19.

The joint exhibit, a collaboration between Baronet and Dr. Jonathan Palant, UT Dallas associate dean of the arts and director of the University's choirs, will be showcased through Sept. 30.

📆 On Sept. 5, a reception welcoming both artists to campus will include a live performance by the Dallas Street Choir, a musical group founded by Dr. Palant to support those affected by homelessness. 🎶

➡️ https://bit.ly/3SHK46P

The University of Texas at Dallas Humanizing The Homeless