A Lasting Toll - Photo Essay

When school budget cuts decreased the incomes of classroom aides Andre and Equllia Tucker, Andre took on a second full-time job overnight, sacrificing sleep and family time. They had hoped to own their own home one day. "It's the American dream," Andre said. Instead, Equllia says, "Now the American dream is just getting up every morning and making it. That's the new American dream - survival." Here, Alexandrea, 9, plays outside of her family’s bungalow.
When school budget cuts decreased the incomes of classroom aides Andre and Equllia Tucker, Andre took on a second full-time job overnight, sacrificing sleep and family time. They had hoped to own their own home one day. "It's the American dream," Andre said. Instead, Equllia says, "Now the American dream is just getting up every morning and making it. That's the new American dream - survival."

Here, Alexandrea, 9, plays outside of her family’s bungalow.