Isla Vista’s Ansiq’Oyo park hosts many homeless individuals in the Isla Vista community. (Pictured from left to right) Michael, Raffi, and Bruce sit in a circle discussing their personal histories and lives in Isla Vista.
Park Resident Bruce enjoys sharing cigarettes with his friends both new and old, while reminiscing on his days as a performer for the Isla Vista community.
Bruce has been in Isla Vista for decades, and used to play shows for students in the park he still resides in.
Bruce recalls one of his favorite memories playing on stage in the park, noting his friends down by the beach could hear his performance.
Michael enjoys a cigarette while discussing how he arrived in Isla Vista
Michael is from the midwest, and moved to the Santa Barbara area at a young age with his mother. He hopes to return to the midwest as soon as he is able.
Raffi is a Goleta native, attending elementary school in the area at a young age.
“I’m not homeless, this is my home [I.V.]. What I actually am is houseless.” -J.R.
Arriving in I.V. December of 2019, Brian remarks on how much he enjoys residing in the parks of the college town. “People are nice here, it’s just a cool, cool place to be.”
The Isla Vista - FOOD NOT BOMBS organization supplies the houseless community in Isla Vista with food and supplies five times a week.
FOOD NOT BOMBS is a volunteer group that has actively fed the houselessness community over the years.
Prior to the pandemic, they ran a kitchen out of the Merton Co-op to service the I.V. community.
Due to the pandemic, restrooms at the park have been locked up. Park residents are left with less restroom spaces to use, increasing the potential for viruses to spread.
The Isla Vista Free Box is a resource for members of the community to donate articles of clothing, books, and supplies for residents who may need them.
Brian picked up his tye-dye shirt from the Isla Vista Free Box, crediting the resource for providing him and his friends with clean clothes.
