HOPE PhotoVoice ECPS
About the Project
“I feel it is the heart, not the eye, that should determine the content of the photograph. What the eye sees is its own. What the heart can perceive is a very different matter.” — Gordon Parks
Last year, a group of students at HOPE Alternative Learning Program (HOPE ALP) in Edgecombe County, NC, participated in “Glimpses of Hope,” a PhotoVoice program proposed by HOPE teacher Crystal Lancaster as part of her team’s work with ROI. The project allowed students to learn photography skills for a deeper purpose. Through a series of photography assignments, the students learned to use photography as a means of self-expression, helping to build an appreciation of their surroundings and make sense of the difficult circumstances they face in everyday life.
The mission of PhotoVoice was to help students use visual storytelling as a strategy to heal from trauma and find beauty in the ordinary. This impact report showcases the participants’ experiences and the results of the program.
Testimonials
Our Process
ROI partnered with HOPE ALP to provide funding for PhotoVoice, which was facilitated by local artist and visual journalist Jenny Jacklin and Crystal Lancaster. Students were given cameras which they used to complete photo assignments. They then engaged in a weekly dialogue about their pieces and the feelings they evoked. After 10 weeks, they showcased their work at a gallery show entitled Glimpses of Hope, where community members could engage with the students and their photographs.
Thank you to our partners
Your help allows us to execute projects like PhotoVoice to better serve youth in rural eastern NC.
Jenny Jacklin
PhotoVoice Program Facilitator
Crystal Lancaster
HOPE ALP English and History Teacher
Meagan Sykes
ECPS Exceptional Children’s Director
Quarry Williams
HOPE ALP Principal
Dr. Robert Batts
ECPS Director of Secondary Education
Dr. Chanda Battle Waters
ECPS Director of Student Support Services
Dr. Valerie Bridges
ECPS Superintendent
Erin Swanson
ECPS Assistant Superintendent & Director of Innovation
Healing Through Storytelling
Alternative school students face challenges in their transition to a new school. “When they come here, they lose a lot,” says Crystal. “They will be separated from old friends, sports, and hobbies they had at their last school. The HOPE program is amazing, but because we’re not connected to other schools, it can kind of feel like you’re on an island by yourself.” On top of that, alternative school students may encounter difficult situations at home or stigma within their community.
A lifelong lover of photography, Crystal saw PhotoVoice as an opportunity to give HOPE students a chance to reclaim their narrative. “Sometimes people just need to be given a chance to shine. It’s about seeing potential in someone and letting them know. It breathes life into their spirit. I wanted PhotoVoice to provide healing to students through a new medium most of them haven’t tried before.”
Though the five student participants were apprehensive to start the program, Jenny says it didn’t take long for them to dive in. “Once they started looking at the world around them with their cameras, something clicked. They now had a tool and skills to share their unique point of view, and they built community with each other while sharing their photographs over the ten weeks.”
Each week, the students were given a prompt to inspire their next photo assignment. They practiced depicting specific visual techniques while capturing their challenges and joys, favorite places, peers, and more. They also had an opportunity to visit an art museum and see the work of a variety of artists and creative mediums. These experiences enabled the students to build community with each other and confidence in telling their stories through photography. Jenny witnessed their leadership and social skills blossom. “I was having a hard week, and the students surprised me by decorating an encouraging sign,” she shared. “They recognized that I was going through something, and they worked together to show their support. As we shared our own experiences through our photographs, it not only instilled confidence in the students, but created space and community for them to help others.”
The culminating gallery show, Glimpses of Hope, was a huge success for the students and well-received by the community. “Students showed up in formal attire. Community members asked to buy the artwork. It was inspiring to watch the students receive recognition for their incredible work,” said Crystal.
Future Plans
After the success of the first iteration of PhotoVoice, HOPE ALP has restarted the program with a new group of students and plans to continue growing its impact. Crystal added, “We’d love to have past participants return as mentors, and to encourage continuity of the program. As we continue developing the curriculum with Jenny, we strive to show students the power of photography not just as a means for expression, but as a helpful tool for healing and building resilience.”
