I am a big fan of skill-based volunteering. While warm-body volunteering is great, I really like it when people take a skill that only they have and use it to help others. Even a seemingly unrelatable skill can be used to make a difference. Help-Portrait is a great example of this.

Help-Portrait was a simple 4-step project that banded photographers together for a good cause. Here’s how it went:

1. Find someone in need (shelters, hospitals, the streets, etc.)
2. Take their portrait
3. Print their portrait
4. Deliver it to them.

Many people experiencing homelessness have never had their portraits taken and small tokens like these are truly appreciated.

I personally know how much of a difference a simple photograph can make.  At our Community Resource Exchange events, we’ve always had a professional photographer on hand to take portraits and it’s always been a big hit.

So if you’re a photographer, consider using your unique skill to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness!