Becoming homeless takes away something very profound in one’s life. One is not just suddenly without a home (a bricks and mortar kind) one is also without a sense of place internally and suddenly anonymous to society. I have never known this kind of displacement. I would like to understand it, document it and give those who have become marginalized a voice in order to bring about their humanity.
For my final project I will document a private transitional residence for homeless women on the Upper Westside of Manhattan called The Dwelling Place of NY. The Dwelling Place of NY is a community of homeless women, volunteers and Franciscan Sisters that have created a place of dignity, respect and love.
In order to fully understand this community I will become a part of it. I will volunteer with The Dwelling Place in the hopes of understanding a piece of these women’s plight. I hope to also come to understand the volunteers who give of their time and the Franciscan Sisters that have devoted their lives to these women.
Because our class chronicles communities not just in words but with images as well, I will need to gain the trust of not just the homeless women, so that they can trust me enough to take their pictures but also those who have dedicated their time to make The Dwelling Place a safe haven – the Franciscan Sisters and the volunteers.
My field notes for this assignment take on a very important role because I have been told by one of the Sisters that I cannot bring my camera to my first visit to the shelter. Therefore I will need to not only write everything I see but also record the atmosphere as well as the sights and sounds of this community.
I will regularly post on our blog some notes chronicling my experience at The Dwelling Place to give a fuller and ongoing picture to my project.