Taubman Shopping
Centers, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Debut
“Kids Helping Kids” Photography Exhibits Nationwide
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Little Brothers and Little Sisters across the country are getting the chance to share their wishes for a better world through a moving photography exhibition that debuted at Los Angeles’ Beverly Center on Aug. 1.
The exhibition is the centerpiece of “Kids Helping Kids Go Back to School,” a unique partnership between Taubman Centers and Big Brothers Big Sisters.The Littles, who are part of BBBS’ school-based mentoring program, were given a single-use camera and an assignment to photograph images that represented the theme “What I Wish for in Life.” The photography project is being led by celebrity photojournalist Linda Solomon, who conducted in-school workshops with the Littles.
The junior shutterbugs expressed their hopes, concerns,
and inspirations through photographs that are unique and compelling.
Among the pictures are an image of hundreds of little white crosses
on a beach with the wish for the war to end; an image of a hearse
with the wish for people to stop dying; a hand-drawn picture
of a little girl and her father with the wish for her dad to
live with her; an image of a puppy with the wish that dogs would
live forever; and an image of medics with the wish to be brave.
“Sometimes
it is difficult for children to express verbally what is within
them,” said Solomon. “It is safe and fun to express
feelings through a camera.
“When you show children that you care about their hopes, their dreams, and their wishes,” said Solomon, “perhaps a child who has never felt he or she had worth now will.”
In the same way that the photography project is allowing children to see their worlds through a new lens, Big Brothers and Big Sisters help their Littles expand their horizons and explore new adventures everyday.
In addition, the “Kids Helping Kids” campaign aims help grant the children’s own back-to-school “wishes” that might otherwise go unfulfilled. Shoppers at Taubman shopping centers will have the opportunity to provide a back-to-school item, such as a backpack or an article of clothing, from the Littles’ wish lists.
The 15 participating Taubman shopping centers include: Beverly Center (Los Angeles, Calif.), Dolphin Mall (Miami, Fla.), Fairlane Town Center (Dearborn, Mich.), Fair Oaks (Fairfax, Va.), Great Lakes Crossing (Auburn Hills, Mich.), MacArthur Center (Norfolk, Va.), Regency Square (Richmond, Va.), Stamford Town Center (Stamford, Conn.), Stony Point Fashion Park (Richmond, Va.), Sunvalley (Concord, Calif.), Twelve Oaks Mall (Novi, Mich.), The Mall at Wellington Green (Wellington, Fla.), Westfarms (Farmington, Conn.), Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg, Ill.), and Woodland (Grand Rapids, Mich.).
