On Wednesday, June 13, 2012, L’Armoire at 102 Park Street will host an all day open house, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a wine and cheese reception from 5 to 7 p.m. to introduce patrons and the local community to PhotoVoice Del Carmen, a unique project taking place this July in the Philippines. PhotoVoice Del Carmen is a key component of a comprehensive needs assessment being conducted by 17 graduate students from the New York University Silver School of Social Work and project leader, Dr. Robert Hawkins, PhD, McSilver Assistant Professor in Poverty Studies. Over the course of three-weeks, the graduate students will identify the needs and address the public health and economic disparities that exist in Del Carmen, a small municipality on Siargao Island in the Philippines.

The L’Armoire open house and reception are open to the public. A percentage of store sales will go towards PhotoVoice Del Carmen to fund the purchase of cameras and computers that will be used to conduct a collaborative learning program that “gives voice” to local school children. The citizens of Del Carmen on Siargao Island, Philippines face some of the highest rates of poverty in the world with economic, health, and education discrepancies that far surpass other areas of the Philippines. A key aspect of this project includes teaching school children of Del Carmen to take photographs and providing them with cameras to take home so that they may capture images and information about their own lives in ways that interviews and surveys cannot accomplish.

Alexandra Frank, has worked summers and school holidays for L’Armoire for the past six years and she brought the idea for the fundraiser to storeowner Diane Roth. “Alex is dedicated to making a difference on the world and we are excited about her involvement in the Del Carmen needs assessment project,” said Roth. “This event is an opportunity to raise awareness of the struggles that go on in places remote to New Canaan and also of the impact that can be made by individuals and groups that care and are willing to work for change.”

The project will help the community develop a sustainable model of development that is culturally appropriate and in keeping with the values, goals, and wishes of the community. Upon its conclusion, the cameras, computers, and any associated equipment will be donated to the participating schools. Through this process, we hope to provide a unique skills- and self-esteem building experience for the children and their community.

Established in 1985, L’Armoire is located at 102 Park Street, New Canaan, Ct. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday and Monday by appointment. For more information call 203.966.1764, or visit their website at www.L’armoirenewcanaan.com.

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