The Freedom House is resource for homeless families in Green Bay that provides services such as housing, meals, and classes to help those in need get back on their feet. The work that they do looks at the bigger picture of poverty and offers tools to help people break out of the cycle, rather than just temporary aid. My first impressions of the Freedom House were how selfless the employees must be and how much support is needed from the community to keep it up and running. Going in, I really did not know what to expect because I wasn’t previously aware of the different services they offer. I learned that families can stay there for as long as they need; there is no limit to their stay. I was very impressed to learn that families don’t have to feel like time is running out. They can take the time and resources they need to feel secure enough to support themselves. I also learned about how they try to consider every challenging aspect of poverty, such as finding childcare and affording basic supplies. By offering these solutions to their guests, the Freedom House makes it a little easier for people to succeed in their environment.
My initial idea for artwork came from the décor already present. I thought about making something that would give the place a sense of unity through what’s on the walls, whether it be a series of prints or a mural. However, when reflecting further, I thought about what might be more impactful and interact more directly with the guests. Maybe each family would want a family portrait taken and printed out to keep or the kids would want screen-printed backpacks for school. I’m also excited about the idea of making something promotional such as for their gala or website. I’m not uneasy about anything we’ve experienced thus far, but it will be interesting to see how we will be interacting with the guests.
