With a little bit of instruction and some help from local mentors, 15 children took digital cameras out into Denver to document what they hoped to achieve. Here's what they saw.
These images were captured through "Pictures of Hope," a program that the photojournalist Linda Solomon brought to Denver earlier this year. Solomon paired 15 children, whose families are living out of motels on Colfax Avenue and Salvation Army shelters, with mentors from around the community. Walgreens provided digital cameras, and the kids went out to take photos of what they hope to achieve.
"They want to help other children who are homeless, they want to help homeless animals," said Solomon, whose program has visited 50 cities. "They want to be a mentor."
The photos will be printed on cards and sold – available online here – with all proceeds benefitting the Salvation Army's Lambuth Family Center in Denver. Linda Schlesinger-Wagner, founder of Skinnytees, sponsored the project.
And these images, Solmon said, can have material impacts on kids' lives. In fact, one of the Salvation Army's officers in Denver was a participant in Pictures of Hope about a decade ago in California. Tanya Pemberton's daughter, Brittnie, took a photo of San Diego State University. The alumni association put together a four-year scholarship; she's now a sophomore.
"My hope is to help homeless kids." - Manuel, age 10
"My hope is that this changes my life." -Suzy, age 9
"My hope is to become an artist" -Angel, age 12.
"My dream is to own my own restaurant." -Ionna, age 12.
"My hope is to help abandoned animals." -Shylah, age 14.
"My hope is to go to college." -Alex, age 14.
"My dream is to have a car." -Johnny, age 10.
"My hope is to make friends" -Heaven, age 8.
"My dream is to have a home for my family." - Greg, age 8.
"My dream is to be a police officer." -Jalen, age 6.
"My hope is to be an officer for the Salvation Army." -America, age 10.
"My dream is to play sports." -Ravon, age 16.
"My dream is to be a fire fighter." -Josiaha, age 8
"My dream is to help people out." -Navon, age 9.
