In early 2020, Whole Kids Foundation teamed up with 100cameras to provide a program opportunity for schools nationwide through its Snapshot Program. 100cameras, a nonprofit that works with kids around the world who have had challenging experiences, teach them how to process and tell their stories through photography in a way that impacts how they view themselves and their role in their community. They provide a platform to sell their photographs and give 100% of the proceeds to fund the most pressing needs in their communities, enabling them to see the impact of their contribution.designed to work in partnership with local schools or afterschool programs to equip students with the tools they need to tell their stories while also enabling them to create change in their communities.

Our goal through this partnership is to support and complement the impact of a garden grant recipient by not only providing students with the opportunities to process and tell their stories, but to also document, elevate, and celebrate their hard work in furthering growth in their schools and community — both inside the garden and beyond.

We're thrilled to announce our scholarship to support the important work of Eliada Academy, a 2019 Whole Kids garden grant recipient in Asheville, NC. Working together with families, Eliada works to meet basic needs and provide positive child and youth development programming to all ages. Their high-level intervention and prevention services for children and adolescents focus on social and emotional well being, life skills development, career readiness, and trauma-informed treatment.

Nestled in the mountains, Eliada maintains an extensive farm where they use regenerative and sustainable farming practices to improve the health of their campus. The farm works directly with the youth in agriculture and environmental science classes and additionally serves as a space to interact and connect with nature.

These students have experienced many difficulties in their lives. At Eliada, students are able to have access to a place that is safe to work through and begin healing from their past trauma and mental illness. As expressed by Erica Blumenfeld, Eliada Staff and Snapshot Program Leader, this program allowed students an opportunity to use creative and artistic expression, paired with their treatment, in a way that could benefit their experience and give them a chance to try something they may not have had a chance to otherwise.

Through the 100cameras program, the youth in treatment at Eliada were able to explore their environment in a new way and use self-expression as a form of processing and healing.

“Art and creativity is such an amazing opportunity for kids in mental health treatment to gain access to during their time in facilities such as this one. It allows them to switch over to using a different side of their brain and to explore what might become a hobby or potential career for them. It allows them a chance to express themselves in a way other than words or writing.”
— Erica Blumenfeld, Eliada Staff + Snapshot Program Leader
“All of the children here have a story to tell, and nearly all have suffered from trauma. Having a program like the Snapshot Project can be part of their process of healing in a fun and creative way.”
- Blumenfeld
“These students have really opened up and showed outward positive support for each other during this curriculum, something that is often not exhibited by this group in other settings. They have also taken on director roles with each other and agreed to ask permission of peers and staff before taking their photos, which really enforces the use of consent.”
- Blumenfeld

100% of proceeds from the students' photo sales will go directly back to their community. Based on the current needs of the organization, the proceeds raised will help fund much needed educational supplies for the students and their peers. Purchase prints here.

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