The United for Waukesha Resiliency Center and Carroll University’s Public Health department are teaming up for the Photovoice Project. This project is often used in research to deepen the understanding of various communities. Participants will capture meaningful images using a cell phone or other camera of their choice, based on a collectively decided theme, sharing their stories and experiences. A theme might be “what does safety in your community look like” and a participant may decide to take a photo of a Police Department or a Church, for example.
If you are a part of the wider Waukesha area community that has been emotionally or physically affected by the parade, this could be a powerful way to share your perspective. Spots are limited and if you’re interested in hearing more about this project, please complete the interest form. Someone will be in touch after March 21st.
The main goals for photovoice are:
- Raising awareness: It encourages people to think critically about important issues.
- Giving everyone a voice: It helps people express their thoughts and feelings.
- Influencing decisions: It can impact policies and decisions by showing real-life situations.
Process
The five stages of the photovoice process are described below.
Stage 1: Introduction to Photovoice (1.5 hours)
· Participants come together to learn about Photovoice and the project
· Participants learn how to take good photographs
· Participants select theme
Stage 2: Take Pictures (1 or 2 weeks)
· Participants take pictures in their community that represent the selected theme
Stage 3: Discuss the Photographs (2-3 hours depending on number of participants)
· Each participant selects a few (2 or 3) of their favorite photos and explains the meaning and/or significance of the photos to other members of the group
· Participants write a brief narrative describing the final selected images
Stage 4: Process Photographs and Mount Narratives (sent to local printer i.e. CVS pharmacy)
· Print participants’ selected photographs
· Format photos in a way that is appropriate for the exhibition
· Type and mount narratives for selected photographs
Stage 5: Community Exhibition (2+ hours)
· Invite general public, policy makers, press/media, and officials to a community exhibition
· Purpose of the exhibition – to raise public awareness about the theme and its impact on those who took the photos. At events that include local officials suggest policy changes that could improve the topic/theme should also be presented.