Community Photo Voice
the problem:
A Photovoice is a way to empower and educate the community with very little money, power or social status. This allows participants to tell their story thru pictures, by expressing their joys, concerns, and ideas for change.
The problem is very alive and real today within our local community. People are so bet down by their jobs and life, or lack thereof, to take and step back and look at the problems they see every day. Some of these people feel like they do not even have a voice and do not feel comfortable speaking to others. This project will help the community in two ways: it will allow our communities youth to speak up, take part in decisions and accumulate power thru change, and it will also inspire change within our community leaders to address the concerns and safety issues by putting these stories to the forefront of public attention.
vital stats:
people impacted:
8,000people involved:
113why it's important:
This project is always discussed at meetings, for a way for our young people to feel like they have a voice at such young ages. Our 4-H Club strives to uphold our pledge, to work with the H's (Head, Hands, Heart and Health) for our community, country, club and our world. This group of children has overcome odds already by getting this club off the ground and having a first successful year.
To address the problem above, the "Photvoice" concept is very simple. All club members take pictures of things they see in their community every day. Some of these things may be pretty and some not so much. Observers will experience a wide range of emotions thru the eyes of our youth, to teach our adults to respect the opinions of our future leaders.
the plan of action:
The project is still new but steps to put in place and start are simple. First, all that takes part sign an agreement to fulfill their part of the project. Then they are issued a disposable camera,(one camera per person per month for 6 to 12 mos), the team decides on the topics guidelines to stay within and they take pictures following those rules. Each time a member turns in a camera the Adult leader is responsible for getting pictures developed, and at each meeting we review all pictures taken, add discuss which ones to keep or not, repeating process for length of project. At the end of project time, all pictures that have been chosen will then be described in words by the photographer, explaining why they took this picture and how it made them feel. This feeling will address many issues facing youth today like: pride, embarrassment, homelessness, safety, happiness and many more. Once these items are completed the photos will then be sent off and turned into a professional display to put up at our local community center for all persons within our community to come see. Then the "call to action" will come on its own. After this is done people who view our project will vote on the best of the display and that will then be turned into a calendar for a fund raiser. The kind of impact this will have is still unknown within our community, our leaders are older are set in their ways and our children have their work cut out for them, but if any group in the area can get it done it would be them. Also, the "Photvoice" concept is not new to West Virginia, check our (Cabin Creek Health Center) our project is based off there's and it went very well.
how you can get involved:
Other can help by word of mouth, and by taking part on the reflection section at the display showing. Also, by filling out the comment cards they will be provide about their perspectives on a picture or the exhibit as a whole. Also, by advertising and asking our group to come and display our project.
