The White Shirt Project
Donation protected
Hello everyone I'm Jose, and to be transparent I have PTSD and Depression and it certainly makes it challenging for me to complete daily routines . In the past few years I have communicated through photography. It was much easier to smile, shoot, and walk away without much involvement or commitment. The thought of engaging in any type of dialogue without my camera was not an option since photography had become my only means of visceral, creative expression. I can say that I’ve come to terms of fully accepting myself.
I created The White Shirt Project as a means to express myself using my voice, my story and struggles. I've been able to bring light to others, so that they can have the freedom to share and start their own dialogue concerning PTSD and Depression. I want to bring forward the stigmas that we are forced to live with in silence and the struggles we have on a daily basis. It has become extremely empowering as the project took flight, and started gaining attention.
What has happened in a matter of months is incredible. Members of my community have stepped forward and donated their time and stories as it relates to the project's message. What I have is collaboration of what makes any society successful regardless of color, race, religion, age, gender, class or sexual orientation . Everyone has embraced and blessed the project with all that is good to make it succeed.
I was asked to exhibit (8) images for the beginning of Bronx Week in NYC which happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month. The images were installed because of donations from some of the models in the project. There are about 40+ models, and each image is about $100 which includes printing, framing, mating, hardware etc., and transportation expenses.
I've been graced with the honor an exhibiting my work at The Mott Bar gallery, but my income has limitations and I need help. The plan is to print, frame as many images as possible in time for the show June 23rd 2018. And to take this project to the next level and have it become an incredibly larger campaign.
I need to raise as much as I can to make this project soar and bring awareness to the struggles and stigmas those of us suffer from having a mental illness that is misunderstood, not discussed and looked down upon. It is the most humbling experience having to reachout and ask for help, and I want everyone to know that. However, I know that this project and its energy is deserving of it.
PLEASE SHARE WITH EVERYONE, I CANNOT DO IT ALONE.
THANK YOU
I created The White Shirt Project as a means to express myself using my voice, my story and struggles. I've been able to bring light to others, so that they can have the freedom to share and start their own dialogue concerning PTSD and Depression. I want to bring forward the stigmas that we are forced to live with in silence and the struggles we have on a daily basis. It has become extremely empowering as the project took flight, and started gaining attention.
What has happened in a matter of months is incredible. Members of my community have stepped forward and donated their time and stories as it relates to the project's message. What I have is collaboration of what makes any society successful regardless of color, race, religion, age, gender, class or sexual orientation . Everyone has embraced and blessed the project with all that is good to make it succeed.
I was asked to exhibit (8) images for the beginning of Bronx Week in NYC which happens to be Mental Health Awareness Month. The images were installed because of donations from some of the models in the project. There are about 40+ models, and each image is about $100 which includes printing, framing, mating, hardware etc., and transportation expenses.
I've been graced with the honor an exhibiting my work at The Mott Bar gallery, but my income has limitations and I need help. The plan is to print, frame as many images as possible in time for the show June 23rd 2018. And to take this project to the next level and have it become an incredibly larger campaign.
I need to raise as much as I can to make this project soar and bring awareness to the struggles and stigmas those of us suffer from having a mental illness that is misunderstood, not discussed and looked down upon. It is the most humbling experience having to reachout and ask for help, and I want everyone to know that. However, I know that this project and its energy is deserving of it.
PLEASE SHARE WITH EVERYONE, I CANNOT DO IT ALONE.
THANK YOU
Organizer and beneficiary
Jose Ramon
Organizer
New York, NY
Albert Rodriguez
Beneficiary
