@The WASH Project

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The Tales from the Porch: Expanded Perspectives Project unfolded over four sessions at The Wash Project. Students explored the neighborhood through hands-on photography and literary arts, creating a series of zines that paired vivid images with descriptive narratives.

Guided by digital storytelling instructors, Aitina Fareed-Cooke and Brandon Watson, participants learned camera and editing skills on both cameras and iPads and then shared their stories with the community, sharing perspectives and creating connections.

Video filmed & edited by Luqman Muhammad

Our Photography Work

Images by Community Participants

Our Written Work

Miles' Porch

My porch is a place where I play chess. I love chess. I move pieces up and down. Strategy. I win against mom & grandma. When the bugs come around the game is done. I go back in the house.
Ailena's Porch

My porch is calm, safe, fun. I play games and get hurt. My porch is big, black, beautiful with brick and rocks. My porch makes me feel safe. My porch has family. On my porch I smell flowers and I hear birds. On my porch I taste bread and see bunny’s.
Kayla's Porch

My porch is long, brown and black. Big bugs but I am relaxed on my porch.
Sonny's Porch

My porch is brown and big enough to fit 3 tigers. I smell flowers & Morning air whisking by. I hear the birds, people laughing and having fun. I feel happy, nice, hopeful, and calm on my porch. I can taste the rain on a cloudy day. I can see people having a great day. Bursting with energy.
Iron Monk's Porch

A story I have is when I was I remember singing for my neighborhoods. Annual block party. It was a special day, everyone even the quiet neighborhood came out with food drinks everyone had a good time. But on this specific day they had a karaoke. And I sang uptown funk by Bruno Marz. That was one time. I finally got to use my musical abilities in front of people.
Frankie's Porch

My porch has a swing. There is a bird house and a table. The swing has a pillow that has black stripes. I feel good on my porch with my mom & dad.
Damia's Porch

My porch is gray and big enough to fit 20 cupcakes. On my porch I smell fresh air. The wind swirls fast like motorcycles. On my porch I hear cars vroom & I feel happy. Like when my family is together and in nature. On my porch I taste air like cotton candy. On my porch I see birds.
Luca's Porch

My porch story takes place in red hook Brooklyn. Annual block parties on my street were the best. The fire hydrants would be open and there would be endless; music food and love.
Anna's Porch

My porch is white and big. On my porch I smell fresh air and I hear birds.
Patrick's Porch

My porch is my view, it is my lens. Always focused on what is passing. Through the movement of leaves. The glances of dogs, the chatter of strangers. My porch is a song of the exterior. Where I see the framed world next to the ones I love. My porch is my life frame.
Alfonso's Porch

I’m sitting on my green porch birds chirping and children playing outside getting air talking to my family that I love experiencing my talent which I love.
Anonymous

My porch is located between hope and safety. It is a place of calm. The birds sit on my porch and sing songs of freedom. My porch is community. Come Unify!