A project six years in the making came to fruition on Tuesday, as Cambrian College and the Samaritan Centre officially launched their book, "Aboutface.”
The book chronicles the stories and struggles, as well as the hopes and dreams of the city's less fortunate citizens.
A partnership between Cambrian's graphic design program and the Samaritan Centre was struck in 2013, and a team of 16 students and faculty interviewed and photographed more than 40 people who frequent the Samaritan Centre over the next six years.
The book is available to purchase for $25, with funds being used to support the Samaritan Centre. In addition, the book's overarching goal is to promote the work done at the centre while breaking down the stigmas around homelessness.
"We know every member of our community has a story to tell and is worthy of being heard," said Ron Beltrame, the now-retired Cambrian graphic design professor who led the project.
"Through this journey we came to understand that the causes of poverty and homelessness are never as simplistic as some of us think. We want to show the complexity, dignity, and unique personalities behind the people we often see but seldom hear from in our community."
When the project was kicked off in 2013, the scope was not nearly as large as what it grew into. A discussion between Beltrame and one of the first people the group photographed and spoke to at the Samaritan Centre altered the course of the work into what it is today.
"A fellow by the name of Alfred volunteered to have his photograph taken on the first night we were here, and he basically cornered me and said, 'I know what you guys are here for, it's coming up to Christmas, you're doing this to make yourselves feel good then you'll all go away and forget about us until the next group feels they have to do something'," said Beltrame.
"And he was probably 80 per cent correct, we were probably doing it more for our good than for the good that has come of this project. So thanks to him, we turned what was going to be a single exhibit into a three phase project and that's why we're here today."
One of the students who took part in the project it its first year was Chrisanne Daniel, who attended the book launch on Jan. 29, and spoke to the impact that the project and the college as a whole had on her.
Daniel, who was in her third and final year at Cambrian when the project got underway, said she's thrilled to see it at its completion.
"It's kind of mind blowing, even when we sat and did that very first project I don't think we knew how profoundly we'd be affected by taking part in this experience," said Daniel.
"To launch the exhibition and see people come in and be blown away by this, it really speaks to how much these conversations and stories need to be told because so many people are so far removed from homelessness or poverty and the people who are facing these issues and I think it's hard to empathize from across the aisle."
Beltrame echoed Daniel's sentiments, adding that it's important to chronicle the people who, far too often, are forgotten about.
"The book itself is a great thing, but to me, the fact that we've been able to make a permanent record of these people, two or three of them have passed away since we took their pictures and they go out of the world with no fanfare," said Beltrame.
"To at least have their lives chronicled, to let people know their lives existed and they were here, that's an achievement to them. As designers or photographers we're used to seeing our stuff in print, but I think this is more important than any commercial gratitude."
Samaritan Centre executive director Kevin Serviss was beaming with pride during the launch of Aboutface, and spoke highly of the relationship between the centre and Cambrian College.
"We've had a great relationship with Cambrian College over these last few years and in 2013 I got a call from Ron Beltrame, asking me if he could come here and do a series of photographs of our patrons," said Serviss.
"My first reaction was I wasn't quite sure about it and I wanted to make sure all of the photos taken of our clients would be done with dignity and respect. I still recall the first session they did and they treated our patrons with so much honour and respect and I so greatly appreciate that."
