 Who we are. The Paterson Youth Photography Project (PYPP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the Paterson Youth Photography Project is to enrich the lives of school age children in Paterson by introducing them to photography as a means for self-expression and an opportunity for personal growth.
Website Go to www.pypp.org to view photos and further details about the Paterson Youth Photography Project.
What we are about. PYPP is a collaborative endeavor established by volunteer photographers. They teach digital photography to 8-15 year old Paterson kids in a computer lab on Saturday mornings. The participating photographers handle all teaching, recruiting, fundraising, and logistics.
Who benefits. Inner city kids who often lack enrichment programs in their schools. Most of the children in PYPP classes have little or no experience with photography, art exhibits, or field trips. All can benefit from a mentoring program like PYPP because they are smart, enthusiastic, and creative.
What we need - volunteers. If you want to do something meaningful, love photography, and/or are interested in enriching the lives of inner city kids, PYPP is the program for you! Contact info@pypp.org.
What we need - financially. Included in the operating expenses PYPP incurs to support its program each year are the costs of enlarging and framing more than 50 exhibit photos, catering the annual reception for about 100 guests, postage/printing/labels for 300 invitations and other mailings, website maintenance, repair or replacement of cameras, and the purchase of supplies such as batteries, memory cards, and camera cases.
 What donors gain. At the annual reception, you will be publicly recognized for your donation, meet the students, and see the outcome of your support in their proud faces.You will also see the positive reaction of parents, city officials, reporters, photographers, and others to the strong sense of community revealed in the exhibit photos.
How to make a donation. If you would like to support PYPP, please make your check payable to Paterson Youth Photography Project Incorporated and send it to PYPP Treasurer, P.O. Box 2262, Paterson, NJ 07509.
The traveling exhibit.The PYPP traveling exhibit,
entitled Portrait of Paterson, is displayed each year at the
Paterson Museum, the Paterson Public Library, Passaic County Community College
and the Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center. Every other year, it has also been on display at Ridgewood Library.
What the children gain. A primary goal of PYPP is to give children the opportunity to expand their life experience and develop self-confidence. Here are a few of the comments PYPP students made in response to this question:
What did you learn about yourself from taking photographs?
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I am very creative. I have a great eye and I love to do this!
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It's all about believing in your self.
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If I keep trying, I can achieve anything I want to.
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I can really focus on things when I want to.
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I think when you make a mistake, you will learn from it next time.
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I am more beautiful than I expected.
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I learned that patience is important, not only in photography but also in life.
Another important goal is to give children the opportunity to learn and demonstrate responsibility. PYPP loans a digital camera to each student. Since PYPP began teaching in January 2002, nearly all cameras have been returned, a very impressive record for these kids.
Yet another goal is for children to gain positive recognition for their talent and creativity. Toward this end, PYPP holds an annual reception to kick off the newest exhibit. Approximately 100 people attend these receptions. When each child is called, they each stand up and walk to the place where their framed photos are displayed on the gallery wall. When all their names have been called, they receive an enthusiastic round of applause.
Those who attend the annual exhibit are impressed with the quality and creativity of the photos and the touching comments that accompany such as: "I took this photograph to capture the happy moment on my sister's face."
Who to contact. If you have any questions or comments about PYPP or wish to donate, volunteer, or attend our reception, please feel free to contact us at info@pypp.org. Be sure to provide your phone number and Email address.
Thank you for your interest in the Paterson Youth Photography Project!.
List of Instructors: 2011 - 2012
Javier Fernandez
Richard Gheno
Kattina Hilton
Noha Khalil-Valenti
David Kofke
Gwenn Levine
Laura Warren
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