About this series:
Reporter Liz Bowie and
photographer André Chung spent time with Iven Bailey and Gary
Sells over many months, witnessing most of the scenes described
at Lake Clifton-Eastern High School and in their neighborhoods.
Other events were reconstructed from interviews with
administrators, teachers coaches, relatives and friends. The
reporter also relied on police records and other public
documents.
Bowie, Chung and Rodricks are honored
Sun columnist Dan Rodricks,
reporter Liz Bowie and photographer Andre F. Chung have been
selected as winners of the 2006 Excellence in Urban Journalism
Award for their work. (Nov 1,
2006)
Sun journalists win award for 'On Their Own' series
Two journalists from The Sun
have won a national award from the Society of Professional
Journalists for a series published last fall that focused on the
plight of two homeless Baltimore teenagers.
(Apr 18, 2006)
On their own: Chapter one
Sharing a
secret
Iven and Gary belonged to a
nearly invisible group of teens living on society's margins
without a parent's help, without a real home
(Oct 9, 2005)
About the issue
Homeless
students prove hard to find, hard to help
Among thousands of homeless
schoolchildren in Baltimore is a group of teenagers who choose
to care for themselves rather than submit to the help offered by
social agencies. (Oct 9, 2005)
On their own: Chapter two
'I am my own
parent'
As they try to reach their goal
of graduation, Iven Bailey and Gary Sells are weighed down by
worries about family (Oct 10,
2005)
On their own: Chapter three
'Did I fail,
Ms. Darley?'
Iven and Gary face new problems
as senior year closes, but only one of the boys is intent on
reaching college (Oct 11, 2005)
On their own: Chapter four
A time for celebration
After completing a tumultuous
senior year, Iven Bailey and Gary Sells savor their rites of
passage (Oct 12, 2005)
How you can help
In response to an outpouring of
interest in the series "On their own," a Baltimore nonprofit
that provides emergency shelter for teenagers has announced that
it will establish two funds to help the subjects of the series,
as well as youth like them who have similar problems.
(Oct 12, 2005)
On their own: A Sun follow-up
Help for
homeless teens
Groups urge new ways that
include dormitories, boarding school; Nonprofit sets up fund for
at-risk youths (Oct 14, 2005)