Photography continues to be a conduit for human connection and mental wellness in this time of social distancing. With closures across the city, we know that providing access to both educational and creative programming is now even more important.
While we can’t provide a physical space for our students to congregate and connect, we will continue to provide a supportive community virtually. Here are a few things that we have put in motion:
- Staff surveyed every student via phone calls and texts to determine if students and their families had access to fresh food and essentials, shelter, and if they were facing financial crises due to COVID-19 related income loss.
- We launched a fund drive to purchase grocery gift cards for our students/families in need.
- We gathered information about students’ access to technology and any barriers they face including hardware and wifi and delivered supplies and equipment to help students connect and participate in our programs.
- We checked in with students about their mental well being and whether they had a self-care plan, or were in need of support.
Your contribution will help support our online programming and provide continued opportunities for teenage girls to connect with each other and provide healthy outlets for their emotional and mental well-being. Our programming consists of:
- Mondays Makerspace: An accessible weekly gathering presented via Instagram Live where a LFP teaching artists and students present a social-emotional informed creative craft project and coaches participants to create their own piece and build peer-support
- Tuesdays GrrlTalk: A weekly Instagram Live series led by teenage girls where they are able to dialogue with their peers on relevant emotional, social and health issues. Some sessions will feature professionals who will answer questions posed by teen girls.
- Wednesdays Deep Dive: A series of Zoom workshops facilitated by LFP community partners. Examples include Examining Anti-blackness in the Latinx community led by SHIFT, and Creativity as Healing - an exploration of family photos and identity led by Quincineria Archives;
- Thursdays In-Focus Talks: Live virtual presentations featuring women of color who are professionals in the arts and creative industry followed by a Q&A with the audience.
- Fridays Foto Fun: Photo-based confidence and skill building Zoom workshops where professional creatives share their work, tips, and creative process.
- Saturdays Self-Care Sessions: weekly Zoom workshops focused on self-care strategies for mental wellbeing.
We are also happy to connect with you and answer any questions you have about our virtual programs!