Josie Norris
Second Place
Central Michigan University
$7,500 Scholarship and Hearst Medallion
Picture Story: The 99%: Housing, Healthcare, Community
- STORY: Known as the "heart of Mullen Avenue" José Najera has not only survived a heart attack but a stroke and carotid artery in the last six months. Neighbors and friends raised over $10,000 for José's medical costs. "I didn't know how much I meant to my neighbors because they really mean that much to me," says José. Surrounded by their family and adopted family in their community, José and his wife Doris Ruiz are now navigating and make the most out of every day because "when you think about your time being taken away you appreciate it more," says Doris.
José Najera performs a series during vascular checkup following a recent operation on a carotid artery at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. After endless paperwork and fighting for healthcare on the part of his wife Doris Ruiz, José has been recognized as a 100% disabled after his service in the Navy during the Vietnam War suffering from PTSD from what he witnessed in the war. "If (veterans) don't have someone like Doris... it's hard to receive benefits...I'm fortunate." - José Najera walks into his home after a doctors appointment. José and his wife Doris have lived on Mullen Avenue in Bernal Heights since 1972 when they bought their $30,000 but due to rapidly increasing property values in San Fransisco they've been offered up to 3.5 million for the home they raised their children and the countless others who have come through their front door and into their family. "This is my sanctuary," José says of his home. "We're the poorest Mexicans on the block but we're millionaires with all the love."
- José watches television as part of his morning routine as he holds his nine-month-old grandchild Otto Mitchell. Otto's mother, Josie Najera, lives with José and Doris and they are very hands on with raising Otto. "I wish I had grandparents that gave me food. I didn't have grandparents growing up." says José.
- As preparations for dinner begin Eloy Najera plays with his nephew Otto as Doris, left, and José, right, navigate around the tight space in the dinning room.
- Doris sets down a plate of food as friends gather around their kitchen table for dinner which is a common occurrence in Doris and José's home.
- With an armful of clean laundry, Doris gives her neighbor Coco Cook a hug after a morning chat outside Doris' home. The pair have regular chats on Mullen Avenue while they both are out with their dogs since Coco moved up the hill in 1999.
- As Doris and José head out to go eat, Amanda Kahn-Kirby, chats with them. Amanda was one of the neighbors who helped put together a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the surgery when José had a heart attack in January. Neighbors and friends raised enough money to cover the copays for treatment within a matter of days. "It made me want to cry," Jose says. I didn't know how much I meant to my neighbors because they really mean that much to me."
- As he waits for Doris to set out an an adventure José looks over his shoulder in his truck.
- José shows the scar from a recent operation on a severely carotid artery that needed a high risk surgery to diffuse what doctors described a "time bomb."
- José and Doris play with their youngest grandchild Otto before they all head to bed.
- After a long day José rests his head in his hands. After his health issues José has had to slow down and take a step back from his normal activities.
- José and Doris chat with a neighbor below them on their hill on a sunny afternoon in San Fransisco. The couple regularly chats with their neighbors and is up to date on all their life happenings. "If you have a problem-let's work it out. We're neighborhood therapists." says Doris.
Single: “Pride and Passion”

Cesar Lopez performs as CezarTheSuperStar at the Polesexual event at the stud June 2, 2019 at the monthly event’s Pride themed event.