September 28, 2009
Community members explore Malton with Photovoice exhibit
The Understanding the Early Years (UEY) Malton Guiding Collaborative will launch Photovoice:
Malton Focused in Frames, a photography exhibit at the Malton Community Centre on Sept. 29.
Photovoice is the result of a community engagement initiative that involved twenty students
from Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School and twenty-four mothers and grandmothers
from the Dunrankin Readiness Centre.
"The exhibit brings together a group of individuals who normally may not have an opportunity to share
their stories,” says Paul Favaro, chief of research and evaluation. "It encourages engagement,
civic involvement and raises awareness about Malton's strengths and areas of need."
Photovoice participants attended a series of six workshops at the Malton Community Centre
in the summer. In addition to learning about photography and community development,
they were invited to take photographs and write narratives of various aspects of the Malton community.
The secondary students received digital cameras, donated by Fuji Film, and adults were given disposable cameras.
“I didn’t think Malton was a very interesting place,” says Shamieran Ghosh, a grade 12 student
from Lincoln M. Alexander.“But after being part of Photovoice, I’ve noticed that there are a lot of
appealing things and places that I feel others should see."
The Photovoice launch will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. with greetings from Trustee Rick Williams
at 6:30 p.m. and the unveiling of the exhibit at 7 p.m. The exhibit will also be on display in the atrium
of the HJA Brown Education Centre from Oct. 5 to 29. Sumbal Malik, research officer, says
Photovoice is a traveling exhibit. “It’s our hope that local schools and organizations
will borrow the exhibit to promote awareness of Malton’s uniqueness.”
UEY is a three-year project sponsored by the Peel District School Board and funded
by Human Resources Development Canada. The Malton Guiding Collaborative is a group of communit
y leaders responsible for driving the UEY project in Malton. For more information
or to view pictures and narratives, visit www.maltonkids.ca.
The Malton Community Centre is located at 3540 Morning Star Dr. in Mississauga. The HJA Brown Education
Centre is located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga.
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Media contacts: Paul Favaro, Chief of Research and Evaluation, 905-890-1010 ext. 2611 or paul.favaro@peelsb.com
Sumbal Malik, Research Officer, 905-890-1010 ext. 2851 or sumbal.malik@peelsb.com
Reference: Deborah Everest-Hill, School Communications Specialist (acting), 905-890-1010 ext. 2098 or deborah.everesthill@peelsb.com
