Students recognize community needs through photography
Injury Prevention Center at Parkland joins forces to create safer community
For the fourth year, the Injury Prevention Center (IPC) of Greater Dallas is using photography through the PHOTOVOICE Project to teach students in Vickery Meadow about the importance of safety in their neighborhood. PHOTOVOICE is a joint collaboration between the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas housed at Parkland and the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation.
Working with Dallas-area photographers, the students receive photography training and then put their newly-acquired skills to use to tell a story and to identify safety issues. The project also includes a session on how to work with city officials to spark policy and social changes by engaging, informing and organizing community members to take action and explore possible solutions. Jared Porter, digital media specialist at Parkland Health & Hospital System, provided instruction to students on ways to use social media to affect change, promote their passions and share their talents.
The 5-week course will end with a reception, photographic presentation and display and walking tour of the neighborhood for city officials, parents and community stakeholders. The event will take place at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 24 at Sam Tasby Middle School, 7001 Fair Oaks Ave., Dallas, 75231.
“Through this project, students better recognize issues and concerns they have in their community regarding safety and safe routes to school,” said Shelli Stephens-Stidham, director of the Injury Prevention Center.
“The PHOTOVOICE Project teaches students that they have both a voice and a responsibility to make needed changes for the community,” added Martha Stowe, executive director, Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation.
In 1994, area health, government and business leaders established the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas to create an injury- and violence-free Dallas. The center is jointly funded by Parkland, Baylor Healthcare System, Texas Health Resources and Methodist Hospitals of Dallas. In 1996, the Injury Prevention Center led the effort to have Dallas designated by the World Health Organization as the first U.S. city to receive international Safe Communities certification.
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