Community Outreach Program

“When I saw my mom for the first time, I felt that I am not alone.  I was so happy to be able to see her again.  It was very beautiful when I saw my mom at the airport with my little sister and my stepfather.  When my mom saw me, she started to cry.  Many kids do not have the privilege to see their mom, but we, thanks to God, we could be with our mom again.”

Photo by Delores, age 15
Text by Cristian, age 12

Picture My World

FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN

Since September 1997, the Palm Beach Photographic Centre's "Picture My World" Program has served disadvantaged children, ages 8 - 17, including some students who are under the supervision of the legal system due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Picture My World teaches an appreciation of family and community, the development of selfesteem, nonviolent means of expression, and personal responsibility.

“Picture My World’ uses photography exploration combined with strategic journal writing curriculums to promote problem solving skills, and insight into community* interaction by creating awareness for each student that they are valued and their voice can make a positive difference in the their lives and the lives of others. * the intricate value of belonging to a sense of community from the close knit unit of people involved directly in students’ daily lives at home, to school & faith based local groups, to national levels, onto our international communities of world events and connection is vital and fostered by each lesson plan and class discussion.

Program outcomes have shown that the controlled and directed use of photography and journal writing provides numerous therapeutic, social and career benefits, as well as helping these children to develop positive means of expression while improving academic skills.

>CLICK HERE for Picture My World Videos

“The dogs in America are very well cared for. They are given the care a person gets. They live in a house. They have their own bed and food. If someone doesn't have children, they buy a dog and dress them and push them around in strollers.  They don’t have to go around scared because they are protected. In the United States, down to the smallest animal, cannot be killed.”

Photo by Ricardo, age 15
Text by Miguel Angel, age 16

More About The Program

Goals

• how to use a camera to capture the world around them and meaningful moments
• how photography can be also be a tool for creative self expression
• how to apply the latest in computer digital imaging technology to enhance photographic images and self expression
• how to look at and learn from photographs in a Museum setting

“If I bought some shoes, and then didn’t want them any more, I would donate them to someone who needs them.  There are many people who don’t have money to buy a pair for their children.  Some people sell used shoes to make a living.  They work hard to collect used shoes to sell.  Other people like them and they buy them.  I understand those who need shoes, because this happened to me.  Now I give thanks to God because I have shoes.”

Photo & Text by Yenifer, age 15

Picture My World Curriculum

• Weekly assignments - Specific assignments will challenge the students to capture the multifarious components of their lives, from home and school to friends and "family".
• Challenging directives - To encourage spontaneity and fresh photographs, parameters will occasionally be set, such as "no formalized sports events" and no "staged or posed photographs."
• Written journal - Teens will keep a running journal about experiences of taking these photographs, as well as the content of their images.
• Group discussions - When the images are developed and shared with the groups, the instructor will facilitate a discussion of image content and how the photographers feel about their images. Simple questions, such as "which is your favorite photograph? " will prompt participants to consider their definitions of home, family and friends, and how their photographs illustrate their beliefs and feelings.

“If I was a bird I would fly all over the world to visit beautiful places to distract me and forget all of the things that had happened in my life and to begin a new life.  That is why I would like to fly - to begin a new life and to enjoy it.”

Photo by Javier, age 16
Text by Delores, age 15

As A Result

The participants best works will be kept in a portfolio format. And the students will compile their works in a special multimedia project called a visual diary. The instructor will introduce bookmaking as a form of creative self-expression. The books will include a series of photographs and optional written material that the teens believe best express their lives. These books will be displayed with culminating exhibitions curated, framed and matted by the teens which will take place in the Community Gallery at Palm Beach Photographic Centre and later at Juvenile Court.

“The house where I live in Lake Worth is not very big or pretty, but I live there with my mom.  She comes home and kisses me good night and good morning.  That’s all that matters.  She takes care of me and hugs me.  She loves me and I love her.  The house is not big or pretty, but with her inside it, it is huge.  Mom, I love you.”

Photo by Myra, age 15
Text by Gladis, age 16

Picture My World Support

Heartfelt thanks is given to our generous members, private donors, all the photographers who donate images to the annual photography auction, most recently the PNC Foundation and The Fledgling Fund, for enabling PICTURE MY WORLD to continue to provide a caring healthy path for our next generation of community adults.