Laura Adams, Battle Creek, Michigan
Member Since January 2008
Artist Statement I am a street photographer and activist who works to prevent youth crime and gang violence in my community. The Left Behind collection depicts the realities of life for at-risk adolescents at the dawn of the 21st century. All of the photographs in the collection were taken within 3 blocks of the local inner-city high school, which is two blocks from my neighborhood.
While I was shooting the photos for this collection, I became a hero. Among my photographs are pictures of members of a street gang on their way to and from opening fire on a schoolbus full of students from the local alternative school.
I nearly became a victim. They came for me two days later.
Thanks ADT.
In May of this year, after receiving a very special award from the Battle Creek Police Departmnt for my help in solving a crime, I spoke at a CrimeWatch rally in my neighborhood. I introduced my town to the concept of Village Thinking, the only thing that will save our children who have been left behind from a bleak future of unemployment, criminal activity, prison, and death at an early age.
The images in this collection are intended for fund-raising, in order to generate matching funds for the Village Thinking Initiative, which is part of an 8-step plan to create a gang-free community in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Please give generously, our kids need your help, too. They have no hope, and no future.
Laura Adams, Children's Advocate