March 2010 Notebook - Virginia Piper

job development, licensed and ancillary services tohelp homeless families with young children becomeself-reliant. www.turnanewleaf.orgPhotographer Jose Sosa: “My work is rooted inobservations of the ordinary; however, the crisis ofhomelessness is far from ordinary. La Mesita is anemergency family shelter that helps families copewith the struggles of homelessness by providing astable living environment until permanent housingof their own can be found. To me, the beauty oftheir work is in the normal everyday objects that thefamilies leave around. They are markers of thesuccess in their efforts to provide ‘normalcy’ and stabilityfor these families during this tumultuous time.”Phoenix Rescue MissionA 24-hour walk-in center with showers and cleanclothing, emergency shelter beds nightly, residentialaddiction recovery; a van sent out daily offeringlunches, bottled drinks, Christian literature, blanketsand a friendly word of encouragement to thehomeless on the streets; and food boxes distributedto families. www.phoenixrescuemission.orgPhotographer Damon Sauer: “I was privilegedto work with the Phoenix Rescue Mission for thisproject. Meeting such wonderful people was a truehonor. I became interested in the opportunity thatportraiture offers to amplify a subject’s presence.The photographic portrait has the capacity toconfront the viewer with a sense of sharedexperience and commonality. By looking into asubject’s eyes, we see ourselves—something earnestand human.”St. Joseph the WorkerAn agency located in downtown Phoenix to assisthomeless, low-income and other disadvantagedindividuals to find permanent, full-time employment.St. Joseph the Worker provides people withthe tools necessary to conduct successful jobsearches. www.sjwjobs.orgPhotographer Mark Peterman: “My experiencephotographing the Picturing Maricopa project wasinteresting. I met some amazing people who haveovercome unemployment and homelessness. It wasa great experience to hear their stories firsthand andhear the success they have achieved as well as theirplans for the future—all with the help of St. Josephthe Worker.”Society of St. Vincent de PaulAn international organization dedicated to servingthe poor and providing others with the opportunityto serve. Phoenix programs include services for thehomeless, medical and dental care for the workingpoor, charity dining rooms, thrift stores, a transitionalhousing shelter and general assistance forindividuals in need. www.stvincentdepaul.netPhotographer Michael Lundgren: “St. Vincentde Paul is a truly remarkable organization. I couldhave photographed there for weeks.”Tumbleweed Center for Youth DevelopmentDirect service programs to provide a continuum ofcare for over 3000 homeless, abused, abandoned,neglected, and at-risk youth annually, ages 11-22 inMaricopa County. Tumbleweed works with youthand families in crisis. www.tumbleweed.orgPhotographer Jason Koster: “Tumbleweed is anorganization that helps homeless and at-risk youth.The reality in which these kids live is gut-wrenching.Their stories are heartbreaking. I'm sure for manyof them the staff at Tumbleweed are the only peoplein their lives who have ever cared about them.The majority of my effort in this project wenttoward illustrating the dignity, guidance andencouragement Tumbleweed extends to these kids.Hearing of their success is nice until you see wherethey came from and realize just how amazing itactually is—and how much difference Tumbleweedhas made to their lives.”“Untitled”Michael Lundgren, photographer, 2009 / Society of St. Vincent de Paul, assistance for people in need23