Women and Struggle: Shelter Revisited

The Staben House is a transitional housing facility for homeless women with children. I first went to Staben House in 1998 and began photographing. The next year I received an Illinois Arts Council Grant which allowed me to teach documentary photography to the residents. I would often hear comments like this, " How is photography going to help these women." The cameras gave them control, something many of them previously did not have. We created journals about this time in their lives and their hopes and dreams. I am proud to say everyone in my photography program graduated and transitioned out of the shelter to a life of their own. I find myself going back time and time again.