Homelessness and Domestic Space

Picturing Domestic Space: Sociocultural Perspectives (Homelessness)

Spring 2013

1)    This project is an investigation into the domestic living space of those who do not have a permanent residence by  examining the culture of homelessness from the perspective of the homeless to understand their meaning of domestic space. This project includes volunteering at homeless resource centers as well as to help understand the views of the homeless as well to offer help in any way that would positively affect their lives.  Photography(will be my representation) as well as journal writing will document (my reflection) stories of the homeless. The view of society on homelessness will be explored through readings and interviews with actual homeless people and local homeless advocates. A series of photos from (my) the perspective of the homeless will help draw connections between their everyday domestic space and those with a permanent residence “settlers”. This project is inspired by the need to create a format for the voice of  people who find them self homeless “displaced”, as well as understand how people choose or fall into this way of life, and how they see their future.

2)    Writing and thorough notes will document volunteer work, in addition to other reflections on these volunteer experiences.  A three to five page final research paper on homelessness will address factors and risks of homeless situations, and how being homeless can emotionally, psychologically and physically affects a homeless identity. Investigation will aim at an understanding of the connection that homeless people have to where they live, how this dictates who they are, or what they will become. A reflective writing piece of what is learned during this investigative journey from beginning to end. An update on the project as well as a weekly reflection (due to personal reasons my reflections will not be posted on WordPress) will be posted in the format of a Word Press site. Fifty or more hours of community service throughout the project as well as, the product of photography will establish a new perspective.

3)    The readings that will inform this project are: Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir (Erlbaum 2006), which provides a solid foundation to understand and contemplate homelessness as well as to preparation for the culture and meet the people.  Homelessness: Is society looking the other way (Todd 2006), inspires the rational for helping people in situations without a home as well as to opening a consideration of how society can help aid the homeless.  Homelessness: Prevention, Strategies and Effectiveness (Burt, Pearson, Montgomery 2007) will guide directions for future action in aiding the homeless and provide options for this project to continue in the future.

4)    How to be Homeless September 20, 2011 by Dan Abshear, will be presented to colleges for group seminar purposes and will effectively show the direction and theme this project.

5)    This project includes a variety of mediums of exploration that will guide a just understanding of the concept refered to as “homelessness” from multiple points of view. Art work in the form of photography and reflective writing will display personal perspective and demonstrate understanding of the homeless culture and how it relates to domestic space.

6)    The outcome of the project including photography, art, and writing will be displayed for student college critique. To establish the overall effectiveness of the project is to consider the dynamics of homelessness and societal understanding.

7)  Week One:

• Organize volunteer places and times, as well as get in contact with advocates in the area.
• Begin reading Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir.
• Shoot photos for word press site.
• Begin research on causes of homelessness.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.

Week two:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Continue reading Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir.
• Have at least 3 photos for critique, work on editing skills. Begin shoot on homeless living areas.
• Begin research on effects of homelessness.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Week three:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Finish reading Girlbomb and write a reading response.
• Have at least 3 photos for critique, work on composition skills. Begin shoot on homeless shelters.
• Begin research on homeless prevention.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Week four:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Begin reading Homelessness: Is society looking the other way.
• Have at least 3 photos for critique, work on lighting skills. Begin shoot on homeless diet/eating habits.
• Begin research on youth homelessness.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Week five:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Continue reading Homelessness: Is society looking the other way.
• Have at least 3 photos for critique, work on techniques. Begin shoot on homeless sleeping areas.
• Begin research on resources for homeless.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.Update word press site.

Week six:

• Finish reading Homelessness: Is society looking the other way and write a reading response.
• Visit museum in Portland.
• Work on a multiple day volunteer project. Conduct interviews with homeless and advocates.
• Begin shoot on homeless activities and lifestyle/ volunteer project.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Week seven:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Begin reading Homelessness: Prevention, Strategies and Effectiveness.
• Have at least 7 photos for critique, work on image narrative skills. Begin shoot on homeless resources.
• Begin research on homeless health/healthcare.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Week eight:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Continue reading Homelessness: Prevention, Strategies and Effectiveness.
• Have at least 3 photos for critique, work on style. Begin shoot on society’s views of the homeless.
• Finish gathering general research on homelessness and anything that I may have decided to add along the way.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Weeks nine:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Finish reading Homelessness: Prevention, Strategies and Effectiveness and write a reading response.
• Have at least 3 photos for critique. Begin final shoot on mystery topic.
• Compile research and begin writing research paper.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings.
• Update word press site.

Week ten:

• Volunteer work 0-10 hours depending on week.
• Display final photo series of all weeks.
• Turn in my reflection paper, reading responses as well as my research paper.
• Complete at least two journal entries/reflective writings and turn in journal and notes.
• Complete word press site for this project.