From There to Here: A Photography Based Research Project and Exhibit
From There to Here: A Photography Based Research Project
In Collaboration with the University of South Florida, Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services Refugee Youth and Family Program, and Project Patchwork.
Refugee youth, representing 8 different countries, along with local foster youth were given cameras to photograph their lives as they see them. Their photos beautifully represent their triumphs and struggles and visually depict their experiences.
What is it like to travel from a refugee camp in Kenya to an apartment in St. Petersburg Florida? What is the experience of learning a new language, new culture and all the social norms at a U.S. school in Pasco County? How does a refugee child from Vietnam or Albania view their new life in Tampa?
These are the questions that have guided a research project being undertaken by FCST staff and a University of South Florida professor who taught refugee children and youth to explore their new lives here in the Tampa Bay area from behind the lens of a camera. Unlike most photography projects involving refugees, these photos were taken by the children and youth 
themselves with the goal of helping the community gain a better understanding of the experiences of acculturation through their eyes.
17 youth from 8 diferent countries have participated. In addition to refugee youth photos, Project Patchwork youth in foster care express their lives through photography in this exhibition. The exhibit will be on display at The Studio@620 from August 23-30, 2008
This project is sponsored by Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services Inc, University of South Florida, Project Patchwork Inc., Community Tampa Bay and Fiorini Gallery and Frame.
