2024 Hope in Shadows Calendar
byMegaphone Magazine’s 2024 Hope in Shadows Calendar launched at the Carnegie Community Centre last Thursday. Hope in Shadows is a photography project that shares the stories of people living in extreme poverty through their own lens. Finalists were celebrated at the 21st annual event, and street sales of the calendar by low-income and homeless vendors began.
2024 Hope in Shadows Calendar
This year, Megaphone’s Hope in Shadows Calendar engaged a record of 150 Downtown Eastside (DTES) community members to take photos of hope and resolve in the face of poverty with a disposable camera. The 2024 theme being: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood“.
Over 2,500 images were pared down by a community jury and voted on by the public over the summer. Last week, the 13 finalist images were awarded in a public forum and then the calendar went on sale to low-income vendors for $10 who sell it on the street for $20, keeping the profit.
The project challenges the stigma that surrounds poverty by making space for marginalized people to share their own experiences and perspectives. Additionally, it is a way for people with multiple barriers to traditional employment to generate a meaningful income, develop soft skills and act as ambassadors for the DTES community.
Since 2004, the Hope in Shadows project has put more than $1.7 million directly into the pockets of low-income vendors in BC.
Local volunteer and community member, Ali Kenny, won the cover photo for this year’s contest. Her image, “Friendship” features two DTES locals outside of The Drinkers’ Lounge, a community-managed alcohol program in the Downtown Eastside that supports those with alcohol use disorder.
Lisa Curry, Megaphone’s executive director, says the community shows up in force every year eager to express themselves through photography. “Over 5 days, 150 participants went out into the streets with a disposable camera in hand. We were elated by the response and even heard stories of friends and family being reconnected through this project. Hope in Shadows has a profound and immeasurable impact on the community.”
Get Yours Today
Megaphone street vendors in Vancouver are now selling the calendar. You can find and pay vendors directly with their smartphone using the Megaphone App, available for free download from the Apple and Google Play stores. You can also purchase the calendar, magazine, and notecards online and receive them via mail or in-person pick-up through Megaphone’s online store.
Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt has been a columnist for Megaphone since 2020.
