Glimpses of Belonging in Interfaith Photovoice Projects and Workshops

Belonging has been our mission from day one. It’s also one of the defining themes of the work we have done. Here are glimpses of belonging—in abundance and in absence—in photovoice projects through the years.

"Sometimes to be accepted into a group, you have to think the right thoughts, wear the right clothes, know the right people. You have to morph into the right puzzle shape that the group is missing. To belong is to be accepted into the beautiful mosai — "Sometimes to be accepted into a group, you have to think the right thoughts, wear the right clothes, know the right people. You have to morph into the right puzzle shape that the group is missing. To belong is to be accepted into the beautiful mosaic of originality and authenticity that is unique to each group of people. To belong is to be embraced for who you already are." — Sarah, Texas Christian University

"Together we can help lighten the load."
— Julie/Finn & Fiona, Idaho — "Together we can help lighten the load." — Julie/Finn & Fiona, Idaho

"When I went home for a weekend this term, I brought back some vegetarian food that can be easily made into a meal. There are options like this on campus, but they are slim."

— Lily, Dartmouth College — "When I went home for a weekend this term, I brought back some vegetarian food that can be easily made into a meal. There are options like this on campus, but they are slim." — Lily, Dartmouth College

"During our time participating in the photovoice sessions, we discussed the theme of belonging. I chose this photo of the living room of my college house because the house is passed down from previous tenants to guys they’d like to carry the ways of — "During our time participating in the photovoice sessions, we discussed the theme of belonging. I chose this photo of the living room of my college house because the house is passed down from previous tenants to guys they’d like to carry the ways of the house on. The house is rugged and accommodating, but it’s been used to host gatherings for friends and classmates forever. My older friends told me they wanted me and my friends living there because we 'fit,' and that’s when I felt I really belonged." — Rutger, University of St. Thomas

"It just says, love your neighbor. It says a lot more. . . . And basically just love your neighbor despite language, culture, whatever."

— Alan-Joshua Carrasco — "It just says, love your neighbor. It says a lot more. . . . And basically just love your neighbor despite language, culture, whatever." — Alan-Joshua Carrasco

“As a Muslim parent, my job towards my kids is to engender a love for their faith and God, and that’s not easy! Thank goodness for Curious George, who is beloved by all kids across the US. When that little monkey told the world about his little Musli — “As a Muslim parent, my job towards my kids is to engender a love for their faith and God, and that’s not easy! Thank goodness for Curious George, who is beloved by all kids across the US. When that little monkey told the world about his little Muslim friend and celebrated Ramadan (the Muslim holy month of fasting) together, my kids finally felt that Christmas was not the only holiday worth celebrating. More books and cartoons need to jump on this bandwagon of acceptance.” — Muneeba, Michigan

"This photo was taken during my first prayer session at Dartmouth. It expresses my sense of loneliness as a Buddhist while trying to practice it as a minority religion."

— Andrew, Dartmouth College — "This photo was taken during my first prayer session at Dartmouth. It expresses my sense of loneliness as a Buddhist while trying to practice it as a minority religion." — Andrew, Dartmouth College