Kourtney Hoffman shared this report with PICTURE THIS friends and members after her and other PTPer's first day -- Wednesday, November 17, 2004 -- at Open Door Shelter.
"...Theresa Jarka, Joel Lerner and myself went to The Night Ministry Open Door Shelter to begin working with a few of the kids that are living there. The goal is to have this project continue as an ongoing workshop called: The World As I See It. Participants will take cameras out for a few weeks at a time and document their lives as they see it unfolding before them, etc. Hopefully we will have an exhibition or exhibitions along the way.
As for the shelter, what a place. I don't really know how to describe the energy that was streaming through the building that night, but it was strong. It was controlled chaos I guess you could say, little babies running around and teens trying to figure out what to do with their Wednesday night. (I'm only 26, oh how quickly I forgot I was a teenager once, too. But what I can't imagine is being a teen with a child or without a place to call home.)
Theresa, Joel and I agreed that just by being there and showing our enthusiasm for the kids and for photography, that no matter how many good pictures come out of it, it is time well spent. Honestly, I think this project is going to be about baby steps and showing up on a continual basis...
Later,
Kourtney
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