SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA
100CAMERAS X VOICE OF WITNESS X TEL HI
100cameras X Voice of Witness X TEL HI is a part of a 7 class course that is custom designed by 100cameras and Voice of Witness to empower youth with the opportunity to learn how to process their stories and create change. Pictured here are student participants during the course.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
100cameras and Voice of Witness X Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center (TEL HI) took place in 2021 in San Francisco, California USA. In partnership with TEL HI, an organization that seeks to enhance the lives of the people in the community. Through the lens of meeting the needs of a culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse community, their program services focus on promoting stability for families and building skills and self-worth that allow participants of all ages to reach for their dreams and succeed. All through providing a combination of free and low-cost programs, such as infant and toddler care, preschool, after school activities, summer camp, personal development classes, senior programs, community celebrations, and more. "2021 will mark the 131st year that TEL HI has provided services, opportunities, programs and resources to our neighborhood, so our relationships and ties run deep. Because of our history in San Francisco and the breadth of programs we offer, we often work with many generations within a single family and know people throughout their lifespan. Leadership development is central to the magic of TEL HI. We have current staff members with us who were students in our children’s programs, and the majority of our staff were born and raised in San Francisco," reflects Rebekah Foster, STEAM Coordinator & Garden Educator, TEL HI.
“Several of the students that participated, I saw them developing, being able to express themselves within their communities. And so learning how to talk about their lives and their histories and their backgrounds. Some of our quieter students, I saw them learn how to express themselves through photography and learn how to look at themselves as creative and think that they have things to offer and that their perspective is unique and valuable.”
As shared by Foster, "75% of our students are low-income, 22% are English Language Learners who have recently immigrated to the U.S., and 93% are students of color. Each student has their own story, but many are faced with the struggles that come along with these identities. Many of their parents don’t have the time or financial resources to offer academic support or pay for art and music classes outside of school offerings. Our English Language Learners are having to navigate a new culture, a new language, and a new city while also just trying to fit in like any high school student does. Having opportunities like this one can sometimes be the thing that keeps our students motivated to keep coming to school. When academic success feels like an uphill battle, we find that programs that engage their strengths, give them a chance to share who they are, and connect with others offer respite and inspiration."
“Telling their stories with photography will empower our students to see that their voice, their stories, their ideas are important and can make an impact. This feels critical in light of the immense pressure our students feel from social media and the disconnection they’ve experienced in the past year. This program gives them a new lens to think about things through and providing the space and time for self-reflection can help them tap into their emotions, express themselves and build their confidence and well-being.”
This program is unique as it combines a custom curriculum created by 100cameras and Voice of Witness to help youth process and have creative outlets. The hybrid curriculum focused on creativity, empathy, personal expression, and active listening. Over the course of the class sessions, students utilized both photo activities and the conduction of oral history interviews with each other to help them process their own stories while also connecting with those around them. In-between classes, students took photographs of their homes, their school, their neighborhoods, and everyday life experiences. These themes were reflected in the oral history stories they shared with each other.
The group’s willingness to share conversation, stories, and vulnerability with one another was deeply impactful, especially after so much time apart from being remote during most of 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through documenting the sights, sounds, and stories that surround them every day, photography and oral history created an empathy-based mosaic for students to better understand and appreciate themselves, each other, and the communities they are connected to.
This program was made possible through a scholarship provided by the Charles A. Becker Foundation to support the important work that TEL HI is already doing in their community and to come alongside them to uplift and educate students.
LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Malachi Jackson, Program Manager
Malachi Jackson started at TEL HI in March of 2020. Malachi has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He has worked with several non-profits over the years focusing on youth enrichment and empowerment. For the last couple of years, he was based in the East Bay working in after school programming. His professional passion is providing underserved students opportunities they may not otherwise get.
Jamon Tyus, Cross Program Arts Specialist
Jamon received his Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts majoring in Illustration in 2014. He has worked at TEL HI for the past three years, helping to contribute creativity and positive relationships to everyone within the community. His goal is to help students develop an appreciation for all forms of art and guide them to becoming creators. He is passionate about providing opportunities for students to express themselves in ways that make them feel confident and valuable.
MEET THE STUDENTS
“One student mentioned it felt a bit like therapy when they were talking about their feelings related to their identity, and the teacher noted that it is therapeutic to develop a better understanding of who they are and why they gravitate towards the things they like. In that moment during the discussion it seemed like everyone became a bit more self aware and empathetic to their peers.”
STUDENT IMAGE GALLERY
“There’s something I want to say. Just like, how to share your story to others, to the public, to share to a person you maybe didn’t know. It’s a strange feeling. You might feel good because someone will listen to your story, and have a same feeling with you, but you might feel uncomfortable because they are very personal things and it might feel sad. But I just want to say: sharing your story with others is a very good thing. You should try it.”
Follow us on social media to see images from the field as captured by the 100cameras X Voice of Witness X TEL HI team and the student photographers.