JaneVision

Montenegro, a set on Flickr. This Montenegrin collection is a...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:25:00 -0400

Montenegro, a set on Flickr.

This Montenegrin collection is a work in progress-

PhotoPhilanthropy at the United Nations, New York City Photos...

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:17:54 -0400

PhotoPhilanthropy at the United Nations, New York City

Photos from PhotoPhilanthropy’s exhibition, “Right Before Your Eyes: Photography Driven By Social

Change,” in New York City Aug. 16 - Sept. 10, 2012

Chris Rainier in front of photos by Josh Meltzer and Rachael Jane.

Exhibition at the United Nations

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:24:12 -0400

If you happen to be in NYC during August or September, please check out this group exhibition from Photophilanthropy. PhotoPhilanthropy addresses critical social and environmental issues around the world by providing nonprofits and photographers with the resources to work together to create images that drive social change. I’m happy that they have selected one of my photos to be part of the exhibition.

AUGUST 2012

Right Before Your Eyes: Photography Driven By Social Change

An Exhibition Presented by PhotoPhilanthropy at the United Nations

What? An exhibition including thirty stunning photographs by photographers from around the world.

When? Aug. 16 – Sept. 10, 2012

Where? Visitor’s Lobby, United Nations, New York City

Description: A single photograph can change the world. One moment, captured by a photographer’s lens, has the power to shift public policy, spark human rights campaigns, and alter the course of wars. “Right Before Your Eyes” showcases images that capture a range of social issues including global health, youth education, poverty and displaced people. With this exhibition, PhotoPhilanthropy pays tribute to the commitment of photographers to raising awareness for the most pressing social issues around the world today. On any given day, across the globe photojournalists are serving as witnesses, observers, and agents of change.

Rachael Jane

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:40:41 -0400

Rachael Jane

Puma FC, Announces Launch of “Chance For All” Program,...

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:39:00 -0500

Puma FC, Announces Launch of “Chance For All” Program, Partnership with Afrikan Centered Education Collegium Campus (ACE) to Bring Soccer to Urban Core of Kansas City

click on photo to see more images

www.pumafc.org

Missouri still leads the nation on black homicide rates...

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:52:00 -0500

According to the Violence Policy Center “Washington, DC—Missouri leads the nation in the rate of black homicide victimization for the second year in a row according to a new analysis of unpublished Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data released today by the Violence Policy Center (VPC).”

http://www.vpc.org/press/1201homicide.htm

"You can call this 'class warfare' all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that 'common sense.'"

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:59:14 -0500

— President BARACK OBAMA

"We do not accept that ours will ever be a nation of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’: we must always be a..."

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:59:04 -0500

“We do not accept that ours will ever be a nation of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’: we must always be a nation of ‘haves’ and ‘soon-to-haves.’”

- Republican governor MITCH “I really said that” DANIELS, in delivering the GOP response to the State of the Union Tuesday night.

Continuing the Republican theme of “I deny that this nation has poor people, impoverished people, and what other civilized societies might otherwise term ‘the underclass.’”

(via inothernews)

Yesterday I went to visit Linda. She has been through a lot...

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:25:10 -0500

Yesterday I went to visit Linda. She has been through a lot since I last posted about her. She had left the shelters and moved into her own home in a government subsidized project. In her new place, she had seemed happy, talkative and open.

After about four months her health had deteriorated. Linda’s neighbor had found her on the floor unresponsive. She had been there for two days. She is now living in a nursing home for the time being. When I went to find her, a nurse had to point me to her as I did not recognize her. She lost so much weight, her frame is skeletal and she is now in a wheelchair. The nurses say she is not eating much.

She and I found a place in the dining hall that was quiet to talk. We sat there in silence for a long time. If I asked her a question, her response was yes or no without elaboration. When I asked her how is her will to live, she put her head down, chipped at her worn nail polish, and slowly replied “it’s good.” I gave her some updates about my own life and she listened intently.

We continued to sit in silence. Linda seemed so tired….

I mentioned that Etta James had died. She asked who was she. I explained that James sang a famous song called “At Last.” Linda looked at me blankly. Then I played it on my phone. She closed her eyes, she smiled knowingly and began to hum along….

At Last

Exposure 2011 | Rachael Jane

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:09:44 -0500

Exposure 2011 | Rachael Jane

True Light Family Resource Center: A Life in Transition

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:12:35 -0500

True Light Family Resource Center: A Life in Transition:

I just added my photo essay to PhotoPhilanthropy’s website. I’m honored to have my work and the work of True Light Family Resource Center be shown there. Please take time to browse and view also their impressive collection of works by photographers working with all types of non-profits.

Under the care of a private for-profit healthcare in Moberly...

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:39:00 -0400

Under the care of a private for-profit healthcare in Moberly Correctional Center, Wilbur Williams experienced a medical treatment go terribly wrong.

What's Next? A States Spring? #OccupyKC #OccupyWallstreet

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:20:00 -0400

In light of the current economy many have taken notice of the Wall Street greed and have learned from the organizational tactics involved in Arab Spring. A “how to” blueprint seems to be circulating. It seems democratic tactics may also work in the US. Or not.

A handful of protesters were seen Sept. 30th in the area surrounding the Kansas City Federal Reserve building. They claim to be a part of a movement called Occupy KC named and organized modelling Occupy Wall Street.

Freedom House Opening

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:58:00 -0400

Writer Tom Ryan and I attended the opening of the Freedom House on 31st and Charlotte. His experience can be found below at The Kansas City Star. See more work by Tom Ryan here http://crossroadscurrents.blogspot.com/.

True Light, Emancipation, and now Freedom at 31st and Charlotte | Midwest VoicesNo comments have been posted. Perhaps you’d like to be the first? You’ll need to log in or register to comment. Alice Pigge-Wallack makes words come alive. She speaks and listens with a kindness that exudes, light, emancipation, and freedom. She creates community every day in and around her community at 31st and Charlotte Street in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Freedom House was opened Thursday Sept. 29th. Pastor Alice Piggee-Wallack added it to her many contributions to people in need of Kansas City. “Pastor Alice” as she is better known is the founder of True Light Family Resource Center, True Light Church of the Nazarene and Emancipation Station, a day shelter for women. The new Freedom House is a place where homeless and jobless women can live and stay overnight until they find sustainable employment and a new start.

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Before renovation, the Freedom House was gutted and restored completely by volunteer effort and donations.RachaelJane-5162

The renovation inside and out of the Freedom House is complete and ready for it’s new tenants. Neighbors and volunteers cooked food and came to visit as part of the celebration.

RachaelJane-9176A future bedroom in the Freedom House to provide a home to one of many homeless women. RachaelJane-9199Pastor Alice in her office.RachaelJane-2156Megan packed informational packets for the visitors in Pastor Alice’s office. Megan is a regular volunteer and neighbor who helps Pastor Alice with various different tasks.RachaelJane-9170 Visitors to the Freedom House opening toured the rest of the facilities Pastor Alice operates. Donna spoke to the visitors about the shelter. Donna spends her retirement time donating countless hours helping women learn new direction and filing paperwork.RachaelJane-9159 More information about True Light Family Resource Center and it’s affiliates:JaneVision: True Light Family Resource Center and Emancipation

Love Finally, the Story of LaVell and ElVester

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:43:38 -0400

Two people with dark pasts and disappointing previous marriages found new life together. LaVell was once married to an HIV positive, now convicted rapist and child molester. She then became homeless after her divorce. ElVester’s previous marriage fell apart because his ex-wife had become addicted to methamphetamine. The two met at a local church, were friends then fell in love.

As part of planning their wedding, ElVester and Lavell had spent several sessions in Pastor Alice Piggee-Wallack’s office for pre-marital counselling. ”Pastor Alice” as she is known, founded True Light Family Resource Center, Emancipation Station, a day shelter for women and True Light Church of the Nazarene in East Kansas City, Missouri.

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Rachael Jane

LaVell was visibly nervous during the wedding preparations.

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Rachael Jane

LaVell waited in anticipation in Pastor Alice’s office.

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Rachael Jane

LaVell’s daughters stood behind her as she looked in the mirror for the first time while wearing her new wedding dress.

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Rachael Jane

As man and wife, LaVell and ElVester walked down the isle at True Light Church of the Nazarene. They chose this church because of the help and guidance Pastor Alice gave to LaVell which helped her transition from being homeless to having a home.

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Rachael Jane

After the marriage was sealed, ElVester heaved a big sigh of relief.

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Rachael Jane

ElVester’s sons attended the wedding. ElVester is able to see them on the weekend, but their mother still has custody of them

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Rachael Jane

ElVester, LaVell, Josh (ElVester’s cousin), Irvin (ElVester’s friend) and ElVester’s sons posed for a group photo after the wedding. Irvin and Josh became impromtu best man and groomsman during the wedding when ElVester learned that his step-son and step-son-in-law could not make it to the wedding because they were not able to take time off from work. El-Vester’s son-in-law had just gotten a job at Arby’s.

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Rachael Jane

LaVell’s daughter Dianne said quietly, after the reception, that this marriage was much better than her mother’s last.

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Rachael Jane

LaVell and ElVester will not go on a honeymoon immediately afterward. She said they are working to find the right family members with whom to stay, the right amount of money saved and leave time. She said optimistically, “…sometime at the end of the year or next.”

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Rachael Jane

Regina sang and shared her story with the people of the...

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:13:00 -0400

Regina sang and shared her story with the people of the “Back to the Table” workshop.

Mary Moore, founder of a workshop called “Back to the...

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:12:00 -0400

Mary Moore, founder of a workshop called “Back to the Table” invited people at Emancipation Station to participate Saturday. The workshop’s mission is “Restoring a strong family foundation that will ensure the development of the education of children.” Ms. Moore wrote, “I/we in many ways have allowed the decay of our society and our community. We let the people in position of leadership decide the course for our children and the decay of the education system in this country. To me it is a moral crime.” She wants to rebuild and restore one family at a time to regain core values.

The participants learned to express themselves through writing and voice. Small skits of expression, poetry and music were performed.

I visited Peggy the other day at her home. She spoke of...

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:14:00 -0400

I visited Peggy the other day at her home. She spoke of Father’s Day. She said it doesn’t mean much for these kids, like many people she knows, there is no father around. She said that her sons’ father was killed by gunshot before they could know him. She has since been searching for a male role model for them. Her youngest son had a role model who was his football coach at Derrick Thomas Academy up until he was killed in a motorcycle accident this year. Derrick Thomas Academy was named in memory of a football player who was a role model for many inner city children. Derrick Thomas died from a car accident in 2000.

Peggy currently lives with many members of her extended family, including her sister and several neices with their children under one roof. They all work together to provide and take care of the children. The only adult male in the house is her brother.

Parkville, Missouri is bracing for a flood stemming from the...

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:08:00 -0400

Parkville, Missouri is bracing for a flood stemming from the release of water upriver from South Dakota Gavins Point Dam as waters are already high on the Missouri River. The flooding is expected to start around June 12th. The extra release of water from the Gavins Point Dam is due to record levels of rainfall and unmelted snow. Sand bag preparations are underway, led by the Army Corp of Engineers. It is supposedly not going to be much different from the past couple of year’s flooding, but people here still remember the flood of 1993 and are not taking anything for granted.

Friday's slideshow was a big success!

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:41:00 -0400

Friday's slideshow was a big success!:

View the slideshow