Vancouver, B.C. [October 8]— Winning photographers, calendar vendors, and community members from the Downtown Eastside will gather today at Carnegie Community Centre to launch the 2015 Hope in Shadows calendar.
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Using the law as a catalyst for positive social change, Pivot Legal Society works to improve the lives of marginalized communities.
Awards will be presented to the 38 winning photographs selected from the annual photography contest. This year, more than 250 people participated, submitting more than 4,000 photographs. The winning images are included in the annual calendar sold on the streets by people impacted by poverty.
“This awards ceremony is a really special opportunity to bring the community together and celebrate positive achievements,” says project coordinator Carolyn Wong. “It captures what this project is all about, which is people sharing stories of strength, beauty, and humanity, often in the face of overwhelming stigma."
The event marks the 12th year that Hope in Shadows has collaborated with Downtown Eastside community members to share stories and create the annual photography calendar.
Following the awards ceremony, vendors will begin selling the 2015 Hope in Shadows calendar. Each year, the organization trains hundreds of vendors, creating low-threshold and meaningful employment opportunities. Vendors purchase the calendar for $10 and sell them for $20, keeping the profit and earning an income.
“The Hope in Shadows calendar helps to break down stereotypes associated with the Downtown Eastside and marginalized people in general,” says Wong. “Vendors are helping make Vancouver a better city by bringing communities together and building compassion through the stories these photos tell.”
What: Hope in Shadows calendar launch and award ceremony
Where: Carnegie Community Centre
401 Main St., Vancouver, B.C. (Google Map)
When: Wednesday, October 8
10:30am
Winning photographers and calendar vendors will be on hand following the event for photos and interviews. Digital versions a selection of the winning images will be available after the awards ceremony.
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About Hope in Shadows
Hope in Shadows is a calendar and photography project operated by Pivot Legal Society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. More than 250 people participate in the annual photography contest, which is open to members of the community. Winning images from the contest are included in the calendar, which is sold on the streets by people impacted by poverty. The Hope in Shadows vendor program creates meaningful employment opportunities for hundreds of people every year. Nearly 100,000 copies of the calendar have been sold through the street vendor program since 2003.
For additional information, please contact:
Kevin Hollett
Communications Director
778-848-3420
