'Snapshots from the Overlooked: A Photovoice Project'

Photovoice is a form of documentary photography that enables those that have traditionally been the subject of such work to become its creator. The Delaware State Housing Authority, in conjunction with Friendship House, has announced a unique Photovoice exhibit of images taken by 8 residents of Andrew's Place, a homeless shelter in Wilmington. Information about the exhibit is below.

I hope to see you there, December 18th!

PRESS RELEASE

In a joint venture, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Friendship House, Inc of Wilmington, DE are pleased to present 'Snapshots from the Overlooked: A Photovoice Project'.

The project is a photo exhibit to be held December 18th, from 4pm to 7pm at 605 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Photovoice is a participatory action research strategy that seeks to engage participants and facilitate their development of a level of critical consciousness so that they can identify life issues and communicate effectively with policy makers about their concerns. Photovoice is a grassroots approach to creating social and policy change. Participants are provided the necessary training in the Photovoice method and are sent off to capture their lives with only a camera.

DSHA has been working with eight residents of Andrew's Place, a homeless shelter for men over the age of 55 run by Friendship House in Saints Andrew and Matthew's Episcopal Church. The men have taken pictures for issues that they believe are most pertinent to their lives.

They will be sharing 36 of these images with captions for the general public at the opening art exhibit onDecember 18th, 4pm to 7pm, at 605 N. Market St, Wilmington, DE.

We are hoping to make people aware of the exhibit and hopefully create some interest in the results of the project. So often homeless individuals are told by those in power what is wrong with their lives and how to fix the problems. Photovoice is a unique mechanism because it offers the participants a chance to communicate with policy makers the issues they are confronted with on a daily basis. The power of these images is bound to change the perceptions that many of us have about homeless individuals. In these times of economic downturn and hardship, the plight of the homeless will only burgeon. It is at such points in time, when we must rally together as united front to develop new and innovative ways of tackling some of our most difficult social issues.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Valerie Miller of the Planning and Community Development Section at (302) 739-4263 or via email at Valerie@destatehousing.com.