Artis Williams, 51, is one of 82 men participating in the long-term recovery program in the Bowery Mission. As many others in the Mission, first he lost his job, than his home. Months later, Artis found him self on the streets of New York with alcohol dependency. Today he is about to graduate from the program. During his recovery he found a job and a girlfriend, he is planning to marry. All my prays has been heard Artis says.

Eduardo, who is been around the Mission for decades, shows his sore leg to the visiting nurse. Every Wednesday free medical and optometric examinations are provided to residents and to people from the homeless community.

An elderly women receives hot soup from the outreach program of The Bowery Mission. Hundreds of hungry people lined up every Saturday in Tompkins Square Park waiting for the Mission van to arrive.

The entrance of The Bowery Mission- the third oldest Gospel Mission in the U.S. Founded in 1879, the mission is a provider of care and life saving services in the City of New York. Every day for 130 years, the mission opens its door to provide three meals and shelter for more than 200 homeless people from the community. The old church transforms every night into dormitory.

The words ”Home Sweet Home” hanging as a decoration from a lamp in the Bowery Mission sitting room.

A homeless men having a hot soup from the outreach program of The Bowery Mission. Hundreds of hungry people lined up every Saturday in Tompkins Square Park waiting for the Mission van to arrive.

Kiki Adebola, director of Discipleship program, during a house meeting. The program is one of the most effective recovery programs for the residents in the Mission. Kiki came to the Mission as an addict in 1992 and joined the very same program. In 2003 after his full recovery he was asked to lead the program and share his experience with newcomers.

Twice a week, after a shower, homeless men wait on line to receive clean clothes and shoes donated to the Mission.

Hundreds of hungry people lined up every Saturday in Tompkins Square Park waiting for the Mission van to arrive.

A man unfolds sleeping mats on the floor of the Bowery Chapel. When the temperature outside dropped under 40 F the Mission opens its door to the homeless community and turns the chapel into a dormitory. The benches are rearranged to open more space on the floor. Between 100-200 people sleep inside on the cold winter nights.

Fresh baked muffins for breakfast on Saturday morning in the Bowery Mission. For 130 years the Bowery Mission has provided the homeless home made meals 3 times a day. Volunteers prepare and serve the delicious food. Companies like City Harvest, Whole Food and Coca Cola donate bread, vegetables, fruits and soft drinks.

Ralph Cohen, 26, unemployed and homeless found roof and food at the Bowery Mission a few months ago. During the day, he meets potential employers for interviews. The nights he spends on the floor of the Chapel with 100 other homeless from the community.

The hand of a homeless man sleeping on one of the benches in the Bowery Mission church. Since 1879, the church opens its door every night for the people from the homeless community in lower Manhattan. After a service in the chapel and a home cooked meal, around 100 men and women set their mattresses on the floor of the church to spend the night inside.

The Bowery Chapel during late afternoon. Homeless people start to arrive for the evening service and dinner in the Mission. When the temperature outside drops the Chapel turns into dormitory and more then 100 people from the community can sleep on the floor.

Myles McKenzie, 19, from Oak Point church in Michigan, working as a volunteer in the kitchen of the Bowery Mission. "Serve like you are serving a king" reads the sign behind him. For 130 years, the Mission serves to the homeless 3 times a day, seven days a week.

Thomas Rufus, 46 before the evening service in the Bowery Mission Chapel. Thomas has been around for the past 10 years. He calls himself the King of the homeless. Often dressed in suit and tie, every evening he self assigned to organized the transformation of the Chapel into dormitory. Mattresses are positioned on the floor under his commands and not too many people are ready to argue with him.