Children Capture "Pictures of Hope" Behind a Photo Lens

General Motors and The Salvation Army will bring “Pictures of Hope,” to life as Linda Solomon, award-winning photojournalist and former television correspondent, leads a photography workshop for kids at The Salvation Army Ellen Thompson Center in Detroit, Mich.

During the workshop, sponsored by General Motors, the children will learn photography techniques. After the workshop, the children will be given disposable cameras and then asked to go out on assignment and capture photos of their hopes and dreams for a better life.

“We can learn a great deal from the images captured by the children, since those reveal their hopes and dreams,” said Linda Solomon, celebrity photojournalist. “Despite the fact that they are living in difficult circumstances, they appreciate the things that are truly important in life: their families, a good education and peace. All of those hopes are beautifully expressed in their images.”

Thanks to General Motors’ generous sponsorship of this program, “Pictures of Hope,” the children’s images will be transformed into greeting cards which will be sold through the Salvation Army of Detroit in the Fall, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the “Pictures of Hope” greeting cards will benefit many homeless women and children at the local center. The chosen photos and cards will be revealed at a press conference this fall.

“Giving back to the communities where we live and work is incredible important to General Motors, its employees and its dealer body,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design. ’Pictures of Hope’ is a wonderful project, and we are proud to be a part of it. Now more than ever, children need hope and a sense of pride that can translate into higher self-esteem and success later in life" Welburn along with Solomon will select the best photo from each child’s portfolio for the greeting cards.

This is the second year that General Motors is sponsoring this program. Last year, Solomon led workshops in Salvation Army centers in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Orlando, Florida. In 2006, over 30 children participated in this program. This year, the program is expanding to 10 cities. Besides Detroit, MI, Linda will lead workshops in Columbus and Cleveland, OH; Tucson, AZ; San Diego, CA; Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, TX; Miami, FL; and Washington, DC.

“The Salvation Army is so appreciative of General Motors and Linda Solomon for providing the children we serve with an opportunity to expand their horizons and explore their dreams,” said Major Norman Marshall, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “While we can provide them with basic necessities like food and shelter, you’ve given them the chance to raise their spirits and really think about their future. Thank you to GM and Linda Solomon for ’Doing the Most Good.’”

The Salvation Army Booth Services Ellen Thompson Center is specifically for women who face unique challenges when confronting substance abuse issues. Drug addiction is aa much a family crisis as a personal problem, so addicted mothers are encouraged to bring their school age children with them as they enroll in the Evangeline program. While mothers receive personal counseling, children participate in educational programs appropriate to their age level. Once counseling has been completed, graduates of the program may move into transitional housing which provides a bridge of independence as participants continue their path to recovery.