- Cindy Calderbank
Cindy‘s gentle and quiet insight keeps the research team on course. She brings a steady and calm approach to the project that reflects her desire to change the situation and help with solutions for homelessness. When asked why she wanted to take part in the research, Cindy expresses her interest as “trying to be part of the solution and not the problem.” She feels lucky to have a chance to belong to the team and enjoy the camaraderie while making a difference to help people who struggle with mental illness and homelessness. Cindy relates home to the beauty of a relaxing walk in the mountains where nature offers a place of beauty and peace. Cindy‘s photos reflect the importance of safety, security, and being able to make choices.When asked why she wanted to take part in the research, Cindy expresses her interest as “trying to be part of the solution and not the problem.”
- Claude Mathieu
Every team needs someone who has strong values and principles. For our research team this person is Claude. Described by others on the team as compassionate, considerate, and analytical, Claude‘s goals for the research are to “bring awareness to those in need as well as potential providers and benefactors.” His participation in the group has encouraged him to “be at ease in many aspects of my life” and he reminds us that “perfection is not necessary to be useful.” For Claude home, is best described in practical terms as a “cozy residence to rest, watch TV, exercise, host guests, cook, clean, vacuum, shower, entertain, talk on the phone, play cards and table games, sleep peacefully, shower, answer nature‘s calls, and shamelessly belch and break wind.” The importance to Claude of spirituality, relationships, and community are conveyed in his photos of his bible, church, and friends.OOPS! It looks like you need the popular flash plugin to view our gallery. The add-on is quick, easy and FREE to install. Go to the Macromedia Page:
CLICK HERE TO INSTALL
- Jamal Ali
Jamal describes himself as a mental health advocate. He is a published writer and researcher. He hopes that this research project will convince those in positions of authority to build more affordable housing for the mentally ill. Jamal joined the research team because he “wanted to know what action research is like. He also wanted “empowerment and inspiration.” He enjoys building relationships with colleagues in the group and is described by others as outspoken, eager and an eloquent speaker. For Jamal, home is a place of happiness, love, peace, stability, and hope. His photos show how much relationships mean to him.For Jamal, home is a place of happiness, love, peace, stability, and hope.
- Jane Grey (photovoice project)
Jane expressed interest in taking photos after being involved in a focus group for the larger research project. For Jane home means safety and security and a place to be with her memories. Jane hopes that the research will help people realize how devastating mental illness can be and that often people drop through the cracks in the system because they do not meet certain criteria and cannot find resources on their own. Jane‘s photos show how important nature is to her in helping her to maintain stability.For Jane home means safety and security and a place to be with her memories.
- Laurie Arney
As an artist, Laurie brings creativity and compassionate insight to the research project. Known for her gift for saying the right things at the right time, Laurie enjoys the chance to talk about subjects that don‘t normally get talked about and feels she is helping to make a difference. For Laurie, being part of the research team means she has learned that she is not alone. It has confirmed for her how important it is to feel heard. She hopes the research will make changes to the way the homeless are treated. Described by the research team as intelligent, empathetic, and helpful, Laurie helped the team create art that described what home meant to them. For Laurie, home is a place to energize and grow. “It‘s my own living space, where I tend my indoor garden, create my art, and find peace.For Laurie, home is a place to energize and grow. “It‘s my own living space, where I tend my indoor garden, create my art, and find peace.
- Mary Mitchell
Mary‘s confidence and positive attitude have brought a steadiness and reliability to the Unsung Heroes support group for a number of years. She values the strengths of the research team and feels that as a group we can have more impact and more can be done to change the housing situation. Mary‘s goal for the research is that it will help to find ways to create more stable housing. She hopes this research will provide meaningful ideas that others can draw on. For Mary home is a place to relax, be your own person, and socialize with others. Her photos show how important choices can be in helping people stay well.For Mary home is a place to relax, be your own person, and socialize with others.
- Nancy Smith (photovoice project)
Nancy joined the photovoice project after being interviewed about her experiences of homelessness. She has a shy yet open approach and describes herself as someone who is learning to be more confident and outgoing. Nancy‘s love of animals has made her an advocate for affordable housing that allows pets. She says that the companionship of a pet is important for single people as it can help them stay well. Nancy included a photo of her freezer, which she filled with food using her “Ralph Bucks.” (“Ralph Bucks,” named after Alberta‘s premiere Ralph Klein, was the name jokingly given to the government of Alberta‘s rebate to Albertans in 2006.)Nancy‘s love of animals has made her an advocate for affordable housing that allows pets. She says that the companionship of a pet is important for single people as it can help them stay well.
- Michele Misurelli
As the coordinator of the Unsung Heroes, Michele brings a warm balance of passion, empathy, care, and dependability to the project. Michele is a strong advocate for others, and is generous with her time when it comes to helping members of the team or other people in the community. She believes we all deserve safe, clean, affordable housing. Her hope is that through this research “we can make recommendations to reduce homelessness in our community.” Michele appreciates that her current Habitat for Humanity home is a safe, secure, and healthy place for herself and her daughter. The contrast between Michele‘s experiences and where she lives now are really clear in the photos she took. Her favourite photo is the one of the washer and dryer, something she never had before.Michele is a strong advocate for others, and is generous with her time when it comes to helping members of the team or other people in the community.
- Mark Sunderland
Mark describes home as a place “with humanity, security and happiness, a place like my parents gave me as a child.” For Mark being part of the research team means helping to educate people about the horrible things that are part of the experience of mental illness. Mark‘s interest in the research is fueled by his own experiences and he hopes the project will help to “get rid of illnesses, and stop the inhumanity in the mental health system.” The other members of the research group appreciate Mark as a serious, kind, friendly and courageous person.Mark‘s interest in the research is fueled by his own experiences and he hopes the project will help to “get rid of illnesses, and stop the inhumanity in the mental health system.”
- George Benson
In addition to being part of the research team, George keeps a busy social schedule. He enjoys meeting with friends over coffee and he is involved in a number of community programs. He also enjoys making model cars. Members of the research team enjoy George‘s curious, caring, and reliable approach. For George, participating in the research project meant learning more communication skills. He hopes that this work will make him a “more enlightened person, enlightening to others and a reflection of myself.” George describes home as a place for friendship and compassion, and as a secure and comforting place to live.For George, participating in the research project meant learning more communication skills. He hopes that this work will make him a “more enlightened person, enlightening to others and a reflection of myself.”
- Dale Silbernagel
Dale is the strong, silent, thoughtful member of the research team. He doesn‘t say much, but when he does he makes a significant contribution. Dale learned to operate our video camera and became the team‘s official videographer, taping many of the meetings and interviews. Through his participation in the research, Dale came to understand that people who are homeless do not choose this way of life, but end up without a home often through circumstances that are beyond their control. He hopes that the research will help to change how people who are homeless are perceived in society.Dale learned to operate our video camera and became the team‘s official videographer, taping many of the meetings and interviews.
- Barbara Schneider
Barbara Schneider is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary. She started doing research on schizophrenia about six years ago, when one of her children was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 2001, she began working with a group of people from the Peer Support Unsung Heroes program at the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, Calgary Chapter, all of whom have schizophrenia. This very fruitful collaboration has led to two research projects together. The first was on the experiences of people with schizophrenia with their medical professionals, and the second is the housing research described in this website. More information about her research can be found on her website: www.ucalgary.ca/~baschneiBarbara Schneider started doing research on schizophrenia about six years ago, when one of her children was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- Monique Solomon
Monique Solomon is a project research assistant and she facilitated the Photovoice component of the project. She is a PhD student at the University of Calgary. Her interests focus on how people with chronic illness communicate about their experiences and negotiate and participate in social programs and processes of health care. Throughout the project she was impressed by the candour and enthusiasm of members of the research group and the energy they shared to bring issues of homelessness and mental illness to light. For Monique a highlight of the project was encouraging project members to describe each other and the value they brought to the group and the research.For Monique a highlight of the project was encouraging project members to describe each other and the value they brought to the group and the research.
