THE CALENDAR PROJECT
Using photovoice to tell a story
(and the date)
The 2019 Home Is Where the Heart Is calendar will include a series of still photographs of members of the homeless population and their pets paired with quotes from interviews conducted at the Murphy Center. The Murphy Center will distribute this calendar to clients, donors, volunteers, support organizations, vet clinics, pet stores, CSU, and the general public. This blog and calendar can be used as tools to raise awareness and empathy about the importance of the human-animal bond and the benefits of pets for the homeless.
ALL THE INFO
What You Need to Know
Problem statement: The problem being addressed in this community engagement project is the stigma associated with members of the homelessness population who have companion animals. Oftentimes, homeless people with pets are questioned for having a companion animal when they do not have a “home” of their own. Assumptions and negative stereotypes perpetuate stigmas, making it harder for people living on the street to seek services (for themselves or their animal companions).
Project mission statement: “Home Is Where the Heart Is” believes in the healing power of the human-animal bond and the importance of companion animals as life-changers and lifesavers for members of the homeless population.
Methodologies: Methodologies for this project include community-based participatory research (CBPR) and mixed media. Photovoice will be the method most utilized.
Stakeholders: Those providing services for the homeless and the homeless themselves.
Level of community engagement: Every stakeholder involved with this project will be fully informed of the project’s purpose and process. They will also be involved and consulted throughout the editing phase which is when collaboration between stakeholders will lead to creative collision and a final product that empowers the homeless who have pets, making them feel heard, validated, appreciated, respected, and understood.
Work requirements/breakdown:
Venue and accessibility—Meet with homeless individuals at the Murphy Center on Tuesday mornings between 9am and noon during day shelter hours of operation
Resources—Interview questions, laptop, camera, paper, printer, snacks/dog treats
Personnel—Street Dog Coalition vet, volunteer street photographer, Murphy Center staff
Publicity and Communications—Flyers, posters, blog, word of mouth
Timeline:
April 10—Complete interviews with clients
April 17—Professional pet photography session
May 1—Calendar layout complete
May 8 and 15—Review and revise calendar with stakeholders feedback.
May 31—Final calendar ready for print
July—Calendar distribution
Exit criteria: Qualitative evaluation measures will be used to gauge the success/impact of this small scale community engagement project.
Major contributors: The Murphy Center, Homeless Gear, Street Dog Coalition, Gary Stricklin, InkWorks
Outcomes: A primary goal of this community engagement project is to have a “creative collision” involving stakeholders and the general public, resulting in the domiciled public acknowledging the circumstances that surround the human animal bond between a homeless individual and their companion animal.
NOW,
consider these photos...
WHO RESCUED WHO?
Without knowing the context of this project, and having just watched that SPCA commercial, you might think these pups were rescued thanks to those who called the number on their screen, and joined the BC SPCA with a "monthly gift of sixteen dollars a month, (only 60 cents a day)!"
IT'S ALL ABOUT PATHOS
As far as persuasive potential goes, visuals such as photos of dogs, can be extremely effective when shown in the right light--whether it's dark or bright.
Aristotle’s "modes for persuasion" are known by the names of ethos, pathos, and logos. This community engagement project leans heavily on pathos, appealing to emotion as a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response to an impassioned plea or a convincing story.
My goal in this community engagement project is to share the convincing stories I've heard from members of the homeless community who have companion animals in an effort to change the common misconception that the homeless are unfit to have pets. I will share these stories via this blog, a 2019 calendar, and in person--because I live in Fort Collins and I talk about dogs more than farmers talk about the weather.
"TRY NOT TO JUST SEE THE DOG...
... SEE THE OWNER THAT IS WITH THE DOG."
-Murphy Center Guest
UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES
Humanity - Empathy - Ethics
Underlying principles that are guiding this calendar project are similar to the underlying principles guiding that infamous 2006 Sarah McLaughlin SPCA video: Humanity, empathy, ethics.
These principles directly correlate with the stigma associated with homelessness. This stigma is worse for those experiencing homelessness while caring for a pet.
Oftentimes, homeless people with pets are questioned for having an animal when they do not have a “home”. Having a home doesn’t necessarily guarantee someone has a heart, and vice versa.
"IN THE ARMS OF AN ANGEL"
Given the choice, a person struggling with homelessness will oftentimes choose their pet over shelter, especially when their pet has changed or saved their lives.
Canine companions of the homeless are often described as life-changers and lifesavers and every individual I met at the Murphy Center expressed how their dog always eats first and how they would do whatever it takes to keep their dog by their side.
As one man described it, "My dog is my guardian angel. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him, and I'll do everything in my power to keep him safe, happy and healthy."
"HUMANE SOCIETY"
Canine companions can be providers of unconditional love and empathy and encourage a sense of responsibility and humanity. They can also act as silent witnesses, keeping people from exercising risky behavior (Irvine, 2013).
Narratives such as autobiographical storytelling that describe this unique human-animal bond could help decrease stigma, increase empathy, and honor one's humanity.
POST-ENGAGEMENT ACTIONS
Possible future action steps include the following…Possible future action steps include the following…
Continue the “Home Is Where The Heart Is” online blog and link to other support agencies.
Produce a 2020 calendar that focuses on other misunderstood aspects of homelessness such as mental health. (Having a daily reminder can help keep the community informed/empathetic.)
Contact political action groups trying to impact homelessness and share resources, research, and results from this project
(Script courtesy of Sarah McLachlan)
WILL YOU BE AN ANGEL?
“Hi, I’m Katrina Weschler, will you be an angel for a homeless individual and their companion animal? Every day, innocent animals and their homeless companions are being judged, stigmatized, and ignored and they’re crying out for help. Please, look at the photos and read the quotes on this screen. Make a commitment right now to change your perspective. For just zero dollars a month, (only zero cents a day,) you’ll help rescue animals and their companions from stigmatization and snap judgements. Follow this blog online and you’ll receive a calendar with photos of happy pets and their homeless companions--people who have been given a second chance thanks to their canine companions. Right now there’s an individual who needs you to acknowledge they exist and are deserving of love--especially love from an animal who they consider to be their best friend.
Your empathy says ‘I’m here to help.’ Please, empathize, right now.
