Ysabel for the Porch Project - Photographing Communities impacted by Pandemic by Roger Hoover

Ysabel (39). Kent, Ohio.

I happen to know more about Ysabel's story than any other. I'm her husband. That reason alone is this reason this post will be longer than many others.

I either lost many clients or scrambled to find ways to contribute something to my existing clients during the first phase of stay-at-home orders. I built a successful business for marketing and advertising small businesses who, as we know, were devastated. These small businesses are an extension of my family. So, for me, this was equally devastating. As client upon client slipped through my fingers, I tried to make sense of my place in all of this. After a few days of moping and worrying, Ysabel said to me, "Roger, you need to snap out of it. You're a creative, intelligent person. You'll find something."

A few days prior, there were announcements of massive shortages on hand sanitizer and surface cleaner. Ysabel works for a scientific research and development company called AlphaMicron. They work mostly with liquid crystals. But Ysabel and her co-workers Lucy and Atossa moved quickly to form a new company at AlphaMicron called Cleand. They began transforming their existing operation into one that is now producing hand sanitizers and cleaners, and providing them to hospitals, police departments, and cities throughout Portage County. They formed an LLC, received state approval to move forward, built accounting and marketing departments, and included their housebound children to help in the efforts. Our kids are learning firsthand how to build a business. Needless to say, everyone at AlphaMicron has been working around the clock to provide a very basic need right now. 

Saintly Ysabel still listened to my needless complaining and urged me to put my inaction into action.

The next morning I awoke and sent out a message to people in the community asking if I could photograph them on their porches from the sidewalk. From a safe distance. Capture people staying at home and share a bit of their story. A few days later, this project has exploded in ways I couldn't have imagined.

I know Ysabel worries about her parents, Jonny and Bob, who live two hours away in Bucyrus. She worries about our children, Margo and Ava. Our pets, Inu, Koda and Willie. Her friends close and far away. She's concerned for her co-workers. Concerned for animals at the shelters. Hospital workers. Our neighbors. The mailman. Store clerks. Gas station employees. Everyone, but herself. And, this is Ysabel. She's a doer. She's a caretaker. She's generous and kind. She's steadfast and resilient.

I know these things about her. They are a few of the many reasons I'll navigate this mysterious abyss of life. 

One thing we've learned together - and that she's reminding me of everyday - is that the universe provides. It may not be what we want, but it still provides. And we carry on, working hard, being truthful and kind. In the end, it all works out.

I happen to know more about Ysabel's story than any other. I'm her husband. That reason alone is this reason this post will be longer than many others.

I either lost many clients or scrambled to find ways to contribute something to my existing clients during the first phase of stay-at-home orders. I built a successful business for marketing and advertising small businesses who, as we know, were devastated. These small businesses are an extension of my family. So, for me, this was equally devastating. As client upon client slipped through my fingers, I tried to make sense of my place in all of this. After a few days of moping and worrying, Ysabel said to me, "Roger, you need to snap out of it. You're a creative, intelligent person. You'll find something."

A few days prior, there were announcements of massive shortages on hand sanitizer and surface cleaner. Ysabel works for a scientific research and development company called AlphaMicron. They work mostly with liquid crystals. But Ysabel and her co-workers Lucy and Atossa moved quickly to form a new company at AlphaMicron called Cleand. They began transforming their existing operation into one that is now producing hand sanitizers and cleaners, and providing them to hospitals, police departments, and cities throughout Portage County. They formed an LLC, received state approval to move forward, built accounting and marketing departments, and included their housebound children to help in the efforts. Our kids are learning firsthand how to build a business. Needless to say, everyone at AlphaMicron has been working around the clock to provide a very basic need right now. 

Saintly Ysabel still listened to my needless complaining and urged me to put my inaction into action.

The next morning I awoke and sent out a message to people in the community asking if I could photograph them on their porches from the sidewalk. From a safe distance. Capture people staying at home and share a bit of their story. A few days later, this project has exploded in ways I couldn't have imagined.

I know Ysabel worries about her parents, Jonny and Bob, who live two hours away in Bucyrus. She worries about our children, Margo and Ava. Our pets, Inu, Koda and Willie. Her friends close and far away. She's concerned for her employees. Concerned for animals at the shelters. Hospital workers. Our neighbors. The mailman. Store clerks. Gas station employees. Everyone, but herself. And, this is Ysabel. She's a doer. She's a caretaker. She's generous and kind. She's steadfast and resilient.

I know these things about her. They are a few of the many reasons I'll navigate this mysterious abyss of life. 

One thing we've learned together - and that she's reminding me of everyday - is that the universe provides. It may not be what we want, but it still provides. And we carry on, working hard, being truthful and kind. In the end, it all works out.