The American Poverty project is now accepting applications from high school students for the launch of its 2012 youth action campaign. Students will gain experience in creating lasting impact in their communities, learn about issues surrounding poverty in America, and receive resources to help them create photography exhibits and other modes of outreach to help spread awareness in their communities.
American Poverty is a program of In Our Own Backyard, an "organization of photojournalists committed to poverty alleviation in the United States." Contributors include Brenda Ann Kenneally, Danny Wilcox Frazier, Jon Lowenstein, and many others. In addition to its Student Leadership Program, American Poverty creates WPA-inspired photo essays documenting poverty in America available for publication or exhibitions, and includes a participatory component where the public is invited to submit a picture and thoughts on what poverty means to them.
More information about the Student Leadership Program and how to apply HERE (please share with students or fellow photographers who are involved with youth projects!).
Interviews and articles about American Poverty Project HERE.
Good article in Utne Reader about poverty in America HERE.
