Neighborhood Kids

By Katie Fletcher

When I was first assigned this project I was a little bit nervous to go into another families homes and attempt to capture their lives on film. The second I met the Colopy’s, however, all nerves or fear I had melted away. Karalyn welcomed me into her home with open arms and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the entire project. Each member of the Colopy family has their own individual spark that makes them a joy to be around. Ximena is corky and free-spirited. Xiamara is always goofing around and never fails to put a smile on my face. It was a joy for me to document this families lives because they remind me so much of my own family. As a college student who lives far away from home, I miss my family a lot. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to spend time this wonderful group of people and feel like I was part of a family again here in Durham. The Colopy’s live in a tight-knit community and the bonds that they have formed with their neighbors and each other would make anyone want to call themselves a neighborhood kid!