RIT Students Picture Poverty in Rochester, Dec. 17

Eleven photojournalism students say their thinking about poverty and social support has completely changed as a result of their experience last quarter.

As part of a class project, the students at Rochester Institute of Technology photographed homelessness and poverty in Rochester during the fall academic quarter. Each student documented an individual story relating to poverty. Now their photographs will be displayed at the Poverty Truth Commission to be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Colgate Rochester School of Divinity.

Many Poverty Truth Commissions have taken place around the nation and the world to offer testimony from affected individuals, to raise awareness of societal failings or struggles and to provide healing.

The students’ senior project, beginning this winter quarter, will be to continue documenting and researching poverty in Rochester. By going out into the Rochester community, the students will research healthcare, affordable housing and other aspects of health and safety for the poor. The final product will raise awareness about the effects of poverty for those unable to attend the commission. The students hope that through their work, the reality of homelessness and the lives of Rochester’s poor can be seen continually by the community.

For more information, contact Loret Steinberg, RIT associate professor of photography, at 585-737-3950.