Page 43 - LTHC Publics Catalog, Spring 2018 Update

THROUGH THE LENS (ENGL 419 Project)

Background

While PR for Social Change is focused on long-
term relationship management public relations
work with LTHC, ENGL 419 is exploring using
multimedia platforms and strategies to tell mean-
ingful stories in support of LTHC. In Fall 2017,
this class embarked on a rich data collection and
analysis project that is included in part in the fol-
lowing pages. The full report is available from
LTHC, Trinity Overmeyer (ENGL 419 instruc-
tor) and Rachel Ravellette. Please note that all
content from this point forward regarding the
Through the Lens project was produced by
students of the Fall 2017 ENGL 419 class.

Executive Summary

As part of our partnership with Lafayette Tran-
sitional Housing Center’s (LTHC) Homeless
Services, we conducted qualitative research with
clients living in permanent supportive housing.
We did so in order to gather further informa-
tion for LTHC directors and staff on the general
disposition of the guests they serve, and gather
first-hand stories of their struggles and successes.
This project also aimed to highlight the ways that
LTHC serves its populations and might continue
to improve services. Overall, this research can be
used to help better understand and serve the homeless population in the Greater Lafayette community.

We used the photovoice method to work with our participants to gather data. Photovoice is a modern research method
where participants are asked to take pictures from their lives in response to prompts that are provided by researchers.
The photos taken by the participants represent their interpretation of the prompts, as well as their unique perspective.
These images provide a great insight into their lives and daily success and struggles. This allows us as researchers, and
ultimately those who use this research, to be able to see real moments of the successes, challenges, and thoughts of
our participants. The photos help jog participants’ memories during later focus groups, which makes for richer, more
detailed discussion of their points of view.

Our research found that LTHC clients in permanent supportive housing are a close-knit community, where clients and
staff have inside jokes, nicknames, and share resources. The clients have come to rely on one another when others
have given up on them. We learned that LTHC does more than provide housing: it also helps battle addictions and
provide adequate health services for residents. We also found that there are different categories of homeless people
that the LTHC serves. Ultimately, we learned that being able to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” is a myth, and
that having resources and people clients can rely on is extremely beneficial. We hope this project provides assistance
for all that LTHC does for its clients. This research can be used to compile specific narratives of clients for use in
promotional materials.

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