New York, NY (PRWEB) May 28, 2010 -- Asking social media fans to pitch in for a great and needy cause, the New York Institute of Photography has (www.nyip.com) launched a 10-day event asking its 13,000 Facebook friends to donate used cameras to Rehabilitation Through Photography (RTP), the premier non-profit providing photography classes to individuals in need from childhood to old age. RTP traces its roots to the 1940s, beginning with an effort to use photography to help wounded WWII vets restore their lives and sense of self. Today, after a number of recent challenges (including the death of its long-time leader), RTP is moving into the 21st Century, and currently runs 25 programs in different settings to provide over 200 hours of photography instruction per week in program settings that include those for homeless and recently homeless people, people with cerebral palsy, and communities for developmentally disabled individuals.
NYI Director Chuck DeLaney and Student Advisor Chris Corradino recently visited RTP's program held in conjunction with Pathways to Housing in East Harlem and posted a Youtube video to show what they found – a joyous photography class!
Check out our NYIP Video of the RTP class we visited.
"Two things struck Chris and me," explained DeLaney, "the joy of the people in that class and the desperate need for more digital cameras. We think the NYI community can help, because in the megapixel-growth era of the last several years, lots of people have replaced an older digital camera with a new model. Send the old one to RTP! Many of their programs need more cameras."
DeLaney added that people can also make small donations via PayPal at the RTP site, www.rtphoto.org. "RTP has been around a long time, but with the death two years ago of its long-time director, this is a crucial phase in the organization's history. RTP does fundraising, but corporate and foundation sponsors are always impressed with grassroots support. Even if it's a few dollars or five dollars, a contribution to RTP will help keep the new momentum growing," noted DeLaney.
The RTP Camera Drive can be found on NYI's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NYIPhoto. It runs through Saturday, June 5. "This is a great opportunity to help a very worthwhile cause," said DeLaney. "NYI celebrated its 100th Anniversary, and we want to make sure RTP, closing in on its 60th Anniversary, will be able to keep performing its valuable work for a long time to come."
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