Exposed: Hidden Victims of Homelessness

鈥淗omeless but not hopeless. 鈥� Homelessness has no color, creed, or origin. No age or gender. Only victims.鈥�

Lydia, a woman who seeks support from Rochester鈥檚 YWCA, was one such victim. Her first-hand observations on homelessness accompany her photographs in Exposed: Rochester鈥檚 Hidden Victims of Homelessness, a PhotoVoice project that supplied 13 homeless and formerly homeless volunteers with digital cameras and an opportunity to share their stories. The photography exhibition, coupled with narrative statements, was on display at 91制片厂 from May 15-31, 2012, in the Lorette Wilmot Library.

Exposed: Rochester鈥檚 Hidden Victims of Homelessness 鈥渋ntends to combat common misconceptions about and bring awareness to the issue of homelessness in Rochester,鈥� said Leanne Wood, Ph.D., professor of Social Work at 91制片厂 and spearhead of the project.

鈥淩ochester鈥檚 Homeless Services Network (HSN) invited individuals and families receiving services from its diverse spectrum of member agencies to participate in the project,鈥� said Wood. 鈥淯ltimately 13 individuals were intensively involved with the project taking photos, writing, and participating in workshops.鈥� Of the 13 that signed on for the PhotoVoice project, a majority of the respondents were youth ranging from ages 10 to 20 and mothers leading their struggling families. That demographic may sound shocking, but it didn鈥檛 surprise Wood.

鈥淭he individuals involved in the project are actually representative of the homeless community in Rochester,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淚t is a common public perception to think of homeless persons as older individuals struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. In fact, the growing homeless segments in Rochester and the nation are youth and mothers with children. The PhotoVoice project represents these two sectors, and hopefully changes the view of who we are talking about.鈥�

Rochester鈥檚 HSN agencies Sojourner House, YWCA, Wilson Commencement Park, Mercy Community Services, and Center for Youth all became part of Wood's team of 91制片厂 faculty and community organizations that helped realize the project. 鈥淭he synergy that exists when you put together an interdisciplinary team from 91制片厂 and community partners is exciting,鈥� said Wood.

Wood also knew 91制片厂 faculty would be 鈥渃ritical to the project鈥檚 success.鈥� Paul Porell, assistant professor in art, instructed the participants on how to use the digital cameras. Virginia Skinner-Linnenberg, Ph.D., professor of English, gave the participants tips on creative writing for their narrative pieces. Deborah LaBelle, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the information technology program, constructed a website for the project. Additionally, Director of Community Service Adam Lewandowski helped to organize transportation and childcare for the participants during their workshop sessions.

Once the participants were taught photography and writing techniques, another benefit to the project became apparent. Not only did the public have an opportunity to become enlightened, but the participants had the opportunity to develop skills they would not have been able to access otherwise.

鈥淲e were doing things I never thought I would do,鈥� said Christopher Torres, a 21-year-old participant in the project.

When the material started to filter in from the participants, 91制片厂 faculty and students were astonished by its quality. Wood said, 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 realize the level of talent that would exist on both the writing and photography side.鈥�

Kellibeth Perez, a young woman amazed at the opportunity with which she was presented, has high hopes that people will become more open minded, appreciate life, and consider contributing to advocacy efforts after visiting the exhibit. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the thing,鈥� said Perez. 鈥淲e can help, and that鈥檚 why we took these photos.鈥�

Carissa Risucci 鈥�13 was a communication and media major at 91制片厂.

PhotoVoice Exhibition

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