Brian Peterson had just moved to California. Outside his apartment, a homeless man was often shouting on the street corner, sometimes keeping him awake at night. Peterson would pass the guy on his way to work, but they never spoke.
One day, Peterson was reading the book Love Does when he was disturbed by the homeless man. Inspired by the book’s compassionate (有同情心的) message, Peterson made an unexpected decision: He was going to go outside and introduce himself. The homeless man was Matt Faris. He’d moved to California to pursue a career in music, but he ended up living on the street.
“It was the strangest thing to me,” Peterson recalled. “I saw beauty on the face of a man who hadn’t shaved or taken a shower in probably a year. But his story inspired me.” And even though Peterson, an art school graduate, hadn’t painted in about eight years, he asked if he could paint Faris’s portrait (肖像). Faris said yes.
This experience led Peterson to form Faces of Santa Ana, a non-profit organization focused on befriending and painting portraits of unhoused people. Peterson sells the portraits, putting the income into what he calls a “love account” for his model. He then helps people use the money to get back on their feet.
Many of Peterson’s new friends use the donations to secure immediate necessities — medical care, hotel rooms, and food. Faris used the funds from his portrait to record an album (专辑), realizing his musical dreams. Another subject, Sondoval, who had never been able to financially support her daughter, used the money to pay her daughter’s rent.
Since Faces of Santa Ana was established, Peterson has painted 41 of all the portraits. But there’s more to the finished products than the money they bring to someone who’s down and out. He’s discovered that the buyers tend to connect to the story of the person in the painting, finding similarities and often friendship with someone they might have otherwise stereotyped (持固有观念) or overlooked. “People often tell me, ‘I was the one that would cross the street. But I see homeless people differently now,’” Peterson says. “I didn’t know that would happen.”
4. How did Peterson feel about the homeless man after reading the book?
A.Annoyed. | B.Amazed. | C.Concerned. | D.Confused. |
5. After talking with Faris, Peterson decided to______.
A.pay for his rent | B.record an album |
C.go to an art school | D.paint his portrait |
6. How did Peterson help the homeless?
A.He founded a non-profit organization. | B.He bought immediate necessities for them. |
C.He donated money to related organizations. | D.He taught them how to realize their dreams. |
7. What can we learn from the passage?
A.Prejudice blocks dreams. | B.Wealth can make people wise. |
C.Sympathy can break stereotypes. | D.Actions speak louder than words. |