Seeing Hope through the Eyes of American Teenagers: A Call For Applications

If you are curious about what life is like across the United States and have a smartphone or camera, we have an opportunity for you!

Mia Dougherty, an eighth grader in Colorado, has teamed up with Braver Angels to lead a photovoice project. And she’s looking for people her age from around the country to participate in an online project about hope.

Who: Middle school students (ages 12 – 14) in America.

What: Meet with a group of your peers from across the US to discuss photos about the hopes you have for yourself and your community.

Where: Online (Zoom).

When: Four 90-minute sessions on April 14th, 21st, 28th; and May 4th (4–5:30 pm, Eastern Time).

Why: We want to help middle schoolers explore hope, build relationships, and share their hopes with others at a time when hope seems to be in short supply. 

Cost: Participation is FREE thanks to a generous grant from the Fetzer Institute.

More Info: please use our contact form to reach out.

Overview

Braver Lens is a pilot program that uses smartphone photography and conversations to help people from different political points of view build relationships. It is an initiative of Braver Angels, an organization dedicated to reducing political polarization in America. Mia is collaborating with experienced facilitators, Roman Williams, Julie Davidson-Greer, and Josh Polanski.

During the four sessions, teens from different parts of the country will share their own photographs and tell the stories behind them. At the end of the project they will work together to create a virtual gallery that will be shared far and wide. And some of their photographs will be printed and displayed during the Braver Angels National Convention in June 2024.