doi:10.7916/3vbp-z086Oral history interview with James Addison, 2014Addison, James Arthur, 1954-oral historiesmixed materialHomeless persons--New York (State)Shelters for the homeless--New York (State)HomelessnessChurch work with the homelessHeroin abuse--History--20th century.--United StatesDrug addicts--Rehabilitation--United StatesWashington Heights (New York, N.Y.)Bronx (New York, N.Y.)Addison, James Arthur, 1954-James Addison starts the interview with recollections of family history in Aiken, South, Carolina and his family's move to Washington Heights, New York City as part of the Great Migration. He describes the character of Washington Heights. He analyzes family dynamics and challenging aspects such as his parents' divorce and the arrival of an abusive stepfather. He discusses the influence of Malcolm X and an episode when he questioned a teacher about the lack of Black history in the curriculum. He discusses his move to the South Bronx in the 1960s and contrasts that neighborhood with Washington Heights. He describes his teenage years including his introduction to heroin, crime, South Bronx gang culture, and drug dealing. He discusses relationships with people close to him including his father, brothers, girlfriend Diane Robinson, daughter Tara, girlfriend Dorothy Saddlewhite, and son Guy. He describes his mother's mental health issues and the trauma of her suicide. He discusses his experiences from the 1970s-1990s, including introduction to crack cocaine, loss of friends to AIDS, and his path to becoming unhoused. He discusses many aspects of homelessness: sleeping at Penn Station, Franklin Men's Shelter, Fort Washington Men's Shelter, drug use and violence at shelters, logistics of sleeping outdoors, and churches providing meals. He details the story of dealing with addiction and becoming housed. Programs included Life Experience and Faith Sharing Associates (LEFSA), Education Outreach Program, and Reality House. He closes the interview discussing work at LEFSA; faith and community; his ordination as a minister; and his wife Karen, children, and grandchildren