Were you part of feeding babies and young children in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene? The SAFE Team, the NC Breastfeeding Coalition and Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities are working with Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist at Duke University on a Photovoice study about safe infant feeding after the storm.
Photovoice combines photography with interviews and community reflection. Participants share photographs that reflect the past, present and future of infant feeding in emergencies after Helene, including photos taken during the response, and then come together to share their stories. The goal is to understand the challenges families and responders faced, and what worked, so future disaster response can do better.
Who can take part: adults 18 or older who speak English and who were a SAFE Team volunteer during the Helene response, a parent or family member who received support from a SAFE Team volunteer, or a member of the Western NC community who knows the Helene response through personal experience.
This is an application, and we will select 20 people. Apply by Tuesday, October 13: fill out the interest form.
What it involves: a Zoom kickoff in mid-November (Thursday, November 12 at 7 pm; Friday, November 13 at noon; or Saturday, November 14 at 10 am), taking photos through early December, an interview about your photos, and an in-person Story Circle planned for the afternoon of Thursday, January 28, in Asheville. Participants receive e-gift cards for their time.
Questions? Email Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist at a.palmquist@duke.edu with “Hurricane Helene Photovoice” in the subject line.