For Immediate Release

Life Through Lenses: Shoot Cameras. Not Guns.

Life Through Lenses is a program component of the Jeremiah Group, Inc. The Jeremiah Group, Inc. is a five year non profit organization founded by James Hudson over five years ago. The organization is a faith-based organization with a vision and mission that involves positive proactive programs to Seniors and Youth in the Chicago area. The organization uses concerts to Seniors, Religious CD’s and photography programs as vehicles for empowerment and the development of an understanding of cultural perspectives.

Life Through Lenses

Life Through Lenses is a program designed specifically to: (1) empower inner city youth, through photography, and (2) to develop positive images of self and the environment in which they live and (3) provide an understanding of ethnic culture and history, as a connection between the past and the future. Through the use of photography, Life through Lenses, attempts provide experiences that outline a different way of life and opportunities for positive self choices.

Youths involved in the program range in the age group of 12-15 and are faced consistently with a variety of community challenges that threaten their survival both physically and emotionally. Statistics document that in the Chicago area, the high school drop out rate for inner city youth is 90%. Youth who drop out before graduation not only suffer from a sense of failure but also will reportedly, cost the country over $200B during their lifetime, due to lost potential earnings, public welfare and crime.

Life Through Lenses

is committed to changes these statistics by providing positive, supportive alternatives, that are designed to change and empower the thinking of inner city youth. Through the intentional design of small class sizes, the photography sessions are limited to 10 students who are guided through the program by professional volunteers with years of experience in the field of photography. The program not only has a rich core of professional volunteers but also utilizes volunteers who serve as Adjunct professors form Columbia College. Students have peers and mentors assigned to provide support and assistance with indiviudals and group photography projects. Classes focus on the history of photography, the anatomy of the camera, the mechanics and techniques of photography. Classes meet after school weekly for the entire school year and include projects that connect culture and photography in assignments, field trips to photography museums and colleges. Students will also gain insight into African American photographers that have succeeded in the field of photography.

Life Through Lenses

Lenses is a multifaceted program that encourages not only the art of photography but transitions student into the area of Photo Journalism. The Jeremiah Group, Inc. serves as a catalyst in the production of a News Publication that links photography students to the print media. Students will be able to master skills that will allow them to exhibit their work in the Jeremiah Group, Inc. News Publication.

The Bottom Line

is the Life Through Lenses is a program that allows youth to become empowered and develop life skills for success in their lives.

Life Through Lenses has developed partnerships with community resources to expand the program to additional youth programs and city schools.