G.J. McCarthy

Stories & Essays: The long way home

Despite growing up poor, Janice Hensley never imagined she’d one day be homeless. But in April 2014, she and her husband, Kenneth Davis, found themselves on the steps of the Dallas Life homeless shelter. Later that year, they’d be joined at the shelter by three of their children. Together they embarked on a journey, the chance to start anew, to find their way back home. 

  • Janice Hensley (center) and classmates bow their heads in prayer during a graduation from the LIFE Program Monday, February 16, 2015 at the Dallas Life Foundation in Dallas. Hensley and her husband, Kenneth Davis, graduated from the 10-month-long program while living at the shelter for more than a year. They were joined at Dallas Life by three of their children.
  • Janice Hensley draws a picture of a house with all of her immediate family represented while she spends time in the {quote}play room{quote} at the Dallas Life Foundation Wednesday March 18, 2015 in Dallas. Hensley, her husband Kenneth Davis and three of their children have been living at the homeless shelter since April 2014.
  • Lyric Davis (left) and her sister, Ken’Tajiah (right) lay in their beds awaiting sleep with their mother, Janice Hensley, watches TV in the background in their small room at the Dallas Life Foundation Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Dallas. The family of five have been living at the homeless shelter since April 2014.
  • Lyric Davis (left) throws items on the floor in an attempt to wake her brother, Milton Hensley, in their room at the Dallas Life Foundation Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Dallas. The family of five has been living in a small room at the shelter since April 2014.
  • Kenneth Davis (center) jokes with his daughter, Lyric, while they eat dinner at the Dallas Life Foundation shelter Thursday, March 19, 2015 in Dallas.
  • Ken’Tajiah Davis (left) grows frustrated as she goes over homework with her mother, Janice Hensley, in their room at the Dallas Life Foundation Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Dallas. Hensley, her husband Kenneth Davis and three of their children have been living at the homeless shelter since April 2014. Ken’Tajiah, 11, suffers from stress-induced stomach problems and has trouble in school.
  • Janice Hensley (left) is lost in thought as her husband, Kenneth Davis, kisses her cheek in the cafeteria at Dallas Dallas Life Foundation Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Dallas. The couple and three of their children have been living at the homeless shelter since April 2014. Janice says the experience has tested their marriage.
  • {quote}Dear Lord, take this pain from my daughter,{quote} says Janice Hensley (left) as she places her hand on daughter Ken’Tajiah Davis at the Dallas Life Foundation Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Dallas. Hensley, her husband Kenneth Davis and three of their children have been living at the homeless shelter since April 2014. Ken’Tajiah, 11, suffers from stress-induced stomach problems and has trouble in school.
  • Kenneth Davis (left) hands money from his paycheck to his wife, Janice Hensley, as they leave a check cashing businesses Thursday, April 16, 2015 in Dallas. Davis, Hensley and three of their children have been living at the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter since April 2014. Davis and Hensley both have jobs at the shelter, for which they are paid a small stipend. Hensley has become the keeper of their finances, saying in private she distrusts Kenneth's ability to budget.
  • Kenneth Davis (right) looks out of blinds in the master bedroom as he and his wife, Janice Hensley, check out their new apartment Friday, April 17, 2015 in northeast Dallas. The couple and three of their children have been living at the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter for more than a year. Through the help of Family Gateway, the were able to secure their first apartment since becoming homeless.
  • Kenneth Davis is dejected as he watches a fellow resident of the Dallas Life Foundation work on Davis' used car Wednesday, April 22, 2015 in Dallas. Davis, his wife Janice Hensley and three of their children have been living at the homeless shelter for more than a year. With money saved from jobs they work at Dallas Life, Kenneth purchased a used car. It turned out to have serious mechanical issues almost immediately.
  • {quote}I want my babies to feel like this is their home, says Janice Hensley as she arranges her daughters' dolls in the room of their new apartment Tuesday, April 28, 2015 in northeast Dallas. Hensley, her husband Kenneth Davis and three of their children have been living at the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter since April 2014. Through the help of Family Gateway, the were able to secure their first apartment since becoming homeless.
  • With most of their belongings packed in a few dozen boxes, Kenneth Davis walks out of his family's small room a the Dallas Life Foundation Saturday, April 25, 2015 in Dallas. Davis, his wife Janice Hensley and three of their children have been living at the homeless shelter since April 2014. They recently found their first apartment and are beginning the process of moving out of the shelter.
  • Hope Hensley (top) roughhouses with her half sister, Ken’Tajiah Davis, at Davis' apartment Tuesday, May 12, 2015 in northeast Dallas. Davis and her family have been living in their new apartment for a few weeks after spending more than a year at a homeless shelter.
  • Ken’Tajiah Davis (right) watches as her sister, Lyric, hugs their mother Janice Hensley on the first day at their new apartment Wednesday, April 29, 2015 in northeast Dallas. After more than a year of living at the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter, the family moved in to their new apartment.
  • Ken’Tajiah Davis (left) and her sister, Lyric, play on scooters outside their new apartment Wednesday, April 29, 2015 in northeast Dallas. After more than a year of living at the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter, the family moved in to their new apartment.
  • After a long day of work, an exhausted Janice Hensley lays on the couch while feeding her granddaughter, Faith, in her apartment Tuesday, May 12, 2015 in northeast Dallas. Hensley and her family have been living in their new apartment for a few weeks after spending more than a year at a homeless shelter.
  • Kenneth Davis smokes outside his apartment Monday, December 14, 2015 as he waits for his daughter to come home from school.
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