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What is RSS?
Napier Youth PhotoVoice Project
"Some kids in the projects have to deal with bad things every morning they wake up, and it would be best to change that. Because a lot of kids have talent, but they're afraid to become what they could become because they live in the projects…You're just scared to live here. You don't know when your life will be taken away."
-PhotoVoice Youth, 7th grade
OVERVIEW
On January 26th, 2008 a dozen middle-schoolers, served by Big Brothers Big Sisters who live in or around J.C. Napier Homes, shuffled into the auditorium at the Pruitt Library to begin the Napier Youth PhotoVoice Project. They were given disposable cameras and a mission to document their lives and their community. They walked through their lives and streets behind the lens of a camera. Each week they came together, viewed their photographs and voiced what their photographs exposed about their community and society. They collectively developed their frame on the causes and consequences of social phenomena that affect their community. Through "Photo"s, these youth now want their "Voice" to be heard. Below are the youth's first action steps to launch their call for social change.
RECEPTION
Please join us at the exhibit's reception of
THE NAPIER YOUTH PHOTOVOICE PROJECT
Nashville Civic Design Center
138 2nd Ave North, Suite 106
Thursday May 8th, 2008
4:30-6:30 pm
EXHIBIT
The youth's social message and photography will be exhibited at the Nashville Civic Design Center from May 5th- May 30th, 2008.
BOOK
The exhibition book includes additional photos not exhibited, youth's insights and social message, and information on the program and community. Books may be purchased for $12 at the exhibit or $15 by sending cash or check to (includes s & h):
Attn: Cherie Kelley
Peabody #90, 230 Appleton Place
Nashville, TN 37203
Please include your name and mailing address. Make checks payable to "Vanderbilt University."
URBAN DESIGN FORUM
Nashville Civic Design Center
Urban Design Forum
Napier Youth PhotoVoice Project: Moving Image to Action
May 15th at 5:30 pm.
The May Urban Design Forum will discuss how the project's momentum can be harnessed to build broader civic participation, resident engagement, and community organizing initiatives through the community's youth. How can youth engagement with social services be bridged with community organizing and resident-driven community development? What organizational collaborations and infrastructure are needed for this bridge? A panel of local experts in neighborhood and youth organizing will give brief presentations to frame a dialogue on the next steps of the project.
"It's never gonna change unless we come together as one." - NPV youth, 8th grade
CONTACT
Emily Thaden
Project Director & Principal Investigator
(917) 686-6716
Emily.p.thaden@vanderbilt.edu
The project is a collaboration between the Center for Community Studies, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Civic Design Center and sponsored by the Gannett Foundation, Vanderbilt's Center for Community Studies, Community Development Action program, the Department of Human & Organizational Development, and Gresham, Smith & Partners.