This is an alley unlike any other in downtown Los Angeles. It is enclosed by a fortress of buildings covered in colorful graffiti. In 2014, a 10-foot Joker at the end of the alley led me down it and it was there that I met Jose Hernandez, who lived on a small spot he claimed his own. Within time, he earned the clout and space that he now has from the business owners, workers, other homeless folks, and strangers passing through. There is a special community within this alley, with Jose as The Guardian. The Godfather. The Keeper of the Alley. He is also a kind soul who shares his hard-earned money from recycling with anyone who asks.

 

This alley has five different ways in, like arteries to the heart of the alley, and all five of them have gates with locks. At night Jose locks himself in before sleeping under his tent-like tarp. He decides who gets to set up a tent next to him and for how long. He looks out for the business owners’ property and they in turn, have befriended him. Over the years Jose has had a dog, up to 22 chickens, and a couple of domesticated cats, both whom met tragic ends from being on the street. This “concrete jungle,” as Jose calls it, then resembled a farm. The one and only consistent factor — more weather-worn with each year — is a painting of the Virgin Mary, now sitting ajar from its frame.

 

I have been photographing Jose for 10 years now, but most notably in 2020 and 2021 after he invited me to tell his story in more depth. There is a lot to tell, starting at the age of 14 when he fled his home in Mexico City because of daily beatings from his stepfather. He crossed the border into the United States at 22 after a year of living on the border and scoping out how to get across.

 

The story is called, The Guardian of the Alley: Jose Hernandez. Additional photographs can be seen on my website: www.juliadean.com.