Stephanie Southworth, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Coastal Carolina University, has been awarded a grant from South Carolina Humanities to support her project, “The Poverty Project Photovoice Exhibit.” Southworth will be collaborating with Sara Brallier, Ph.D., a professor in CCU’s Department of Sociology, on this initiative. The faculty members are co-founders of The Poverty Project, where they engage their students in activist research with impoverished populations in Horry County.

Through the grant funds, Southworth and Brallier will provide individuals served through The Poverty Project with single-use cameras, allowing them to document their experiences through their own lens. The photos will be included in a traveling exhibit, along with quotes from the photographers. This type of project is a qualitative research method known as photovoice.

“We are so excited to start this project in which we provide the opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to call attention to what they want the community to know about their needs, challenges, daily life, hopes, and dreams,” said Southworth and Brallier. “Far too often, the homeless community is ignored, stereotyped, or told what they need without being asked.”

The traveling exhibit will begin in Fall 2023, and the first two locations will be Shepherd’s Table in Conway and Fresh Brewed Coffee House in Myrtle Beach.