Photovoice Demonstration Sites across Virginia

The AmeriCorps Photovoice project was created with a simple but powerful purpose: to understand and share the perspectives, motivations, and lived experiences of AmeriCorps members in programs across Virginia.    

This project took place across 6 program sites, both in person and virtually, representing the wide reach of AmeriCorps programs in Virginia. Over the course of several weeks participating members were trained in photography, went out into their community and took pictures, presented their photos and participated in group discussions to reflect on their service, document what matters to them, and examine both challenges and successes in their communities. 

Participating AmeriCorps Seniors Programs:

- Members from the RVA Area Foster Grandparent Program used photography to reflect on their role of being the village that supports students and teachers. 

- The RSVP Program in Northern Virginia highlighted how older adults continue to serve with purpose and adaptability beyond retirement. 

- The City of Hampton Foster Grandparent Program documented the power of intergenerational relationships and the daily acts of care that shape the lives and futures of young students. 

Participating AmeriCorps State Programs:

- Dan River Year and REACH Corps members shared stories of resilience, growth, and the importance of showing up for community even in challenging circumstances.

- AmeriCorps VISTA members and alumni reflected on career pathways, leadership development, and how service helped them imagine new futures for themselves and others.

- RVA Health Corps members captured what it means to promote health equity and meet people where they are through outreach, education, creativity, and heart across multiple languages.

Volunteer service in Virginia is wide-ranging and is often difficult to capture in numbers alone. Photovoice allowed us to see what AmeriCorps service feels like. It shows us moments of connection in classrooms, during community outreach events, in food pantries, in safe spaces for students in recovery, and in neighborhoods. 

We want to offer gratitude to the many people and programs who made this work possible. 

This material is based upon work funded by the Office of Research and Evaluation at AmeriCorps under Grant No. 22REAVA002  through the National Service and Civic Engagement research grant competition. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, AmeriCorps.