Small acts of great love


  • Photographer
    Logan Mock-Bunting
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Date of Photograph
    2014

The mission of Joseph’s House is to serve homeless men and women dying of AIDS and cancer. By accompanying men and women who would otherwise die a lonely, isolated death, the participants aim to create a nurturing atmosphere and the restoration of individual dignity. By documenting the relationships and actions of the residents and caregivers, I want to revel these Small acts of great love, sharing hope and humanity in what many consider the darkest hour of a person’s life.

Story

“Small Acts of Great Love”
My project is working with local organizations that provide End of Life services, especially for individuals below the poverty line and with limited resources. These include traditional organizations that provide medical assistance - such as Hospice - as well as secondary coordination, such as meals and food. At least as important are people committed to less tangible support: spiritual guidance, comfort, and companionship to ease the transition.
From my own mother’s journey with terminal cancer, I have experienced the impact that these caregivers have. While often overlooked, these caregivers provide services that are hugely important and intimate to the individuals, families and society. Relationships, support, interconnectedness, and humanity are the traits these organizations embody; these are the threads that make up the very definition of community.
With a large population of baby-boomers getting older, alongside the sweeping changes brought by President Obama's Health Care laws, End of Life care is becoming an issue that more people are aware of.
This is driven somewhat by economics and logistics, but Death is a much more personal issue than a commercial one. Therefore, many civic volunteer groups are stepping in to serve the dying, their families and their communities. Particularly in low-income populations, the organizations offer much more than medical care.
While the concept of end-of-life services have been documented since the 11th century, this story is important to tell now. The methods and diversities of service have never been more varied and are being used by more people than ever before. With changes in the Health Care system rapidly approaching, now is the time that policy can be influenced and made better by spotlighting systems that make real differences in peoples’ lives.
The mission of Joseph’s House is to serve homeless men and women dying of AIDS and cancer. By accompanying men and women who would otherwise die a lonely, isolated death, the participants aim to create a nurturing atmosphere and the restoration of individual dignity. By documenting the relationships and actions of the residents and caregivers, I want to tell their compelling story, sharing hope and humanity in what many consider the darkest hour of a person’s life.
Small acts of great love do not often make headlines, but they are stories that can empower individuals and communities at large.

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