"The last thing a homeless person needs is a camera."

That quote came directly from a comment on an article on a local media site that featured the project. I would agree that in terms of physical needs, a camera does not go very far in providing food, shelter or clothes. However, a camera is exactly what many of our photographers needed to experience joy, hope and fulfillment.

How it all began

We started the Through Our Eyes Project in 2016 by giving out 86 cameras to the homeless in Spartanburg, South Carolina. We asked them to photograph their lives - where they went, who they spent time with, what they valued. The results were incredible. The devastation we saw on the street was shocking. The hope and optimism that many saw despite their situation was encouraging. Their participation was humbling.

Each person received a care bag, a t-shirt that gave them the title of 'photographer' for the week, extra clothes and food. A prayer team was there to help them heal spiritually and provide some hope. A team of judges narrowed down over 800 photos to a top 20 (a hard thing to do!) that hung in an art gallery for a month. The community was invited to come and vote for their favorite photos by placing spare change in a lockbox next to the images that stood out to them. All the money raised went to support local organizations that care for the homeless. The three photographs that received the most money earned prizes for those photographers to help meet their needs.

The response from the community was so great that we took the project to Greenville, South Carolina, a neighboring city with an even bigger homeless population.

Why do an Indiegogo campaign?

We believe in the impact this project has had in our communities and we believe that it can impact many others. Our goal is to print a beautiful 128-page coffee table photography book. We want to provide an opportunity for a permanent, printed piece of the project to be made available. Our gallery exhibits last 30 days, but the books can live on and continue to inspire. Of course, we want people to buy the books, but we also want some to be in schools and libraries, and in the hands of the photographers who took the photos.

What we're looking for

We want to raise $10,000.

The funds raised from this campaign will help offset the costs relating to:

• layout & design
• printing the first run of books
• purchasing ISBN numbers, barcodes and copyrights
• marketing
• shipping
• swag & incentives

Speaking of incentives...

We've got some great perks for you including a limited edition, individually numbered hardcover book, first run t-shirt not offered anywhere else, postcard sets, prints and even an opportunity to put your name in our book as a contributor.

"I feel like I have a purpose, if only for a week."

That's what a photographer told us last year. He was empowered. The proceeds we make from the book sales will help us take the project to new cities and countries and reach more groups of people who are marginalized, vulnerable and need a voice. We want to continue to provide a message of hope and the joy that comes with creating art. You can help make this happen.

Risks & Challenges

Our biggest risk is inactivity. It's the same risk that happens in our communities every day. People drive by someone on the street. There's no eye contact. There's no emotion. There's no desire to help. We want to overcome this by intentionally making people confront homelessness in a real way. I don't see a person on the street anymore. I see Chris or Tonya. I can tell that Scotty got a haircut. I notice when David doesn't come around as much. Even though these names are from Spartanburg, South Carolina, the problem is everywhere.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some reading this can't commit to buy a book. That's perfectly fine. Make a difference in your city. Help in these other ways:

• Pray. Pray specifically for three things. 1) That homelessness can be eradicated in your city. 2) For the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the people on the street. 3) For others to take action.
• Share this page! You might not be able to invest in the campaign, but you know people who can. Share this and help make a difference, one camera at a time.