KALAMAZOO (Mich.)-The digital camera was charged lighting in place. Tim Wojtyniak had transformed the conference room of Ministries With Communities into a portrait studio. His goal was to offer free professional portraits and a CD of the images to those who use the services of Ministries with Communities. As his first subject, Melvin, strolled in his grin was as noticeable as the hole in his multi-colored sweater.
“I can fix that hole digitally,” Wojtyniak offered through the magic of Photoshop. Melvin’s proud refusal would be a part of the priceless lessons Wojtyniak would learn through the 1,800 images he captured from 46 subjects.
Wojtyniak attended a Change Makers seminar offered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation in the fall of 2009. It was there he, and others participants received a $250 grant to do something to give back to the community. Although he is a systems analyst software developer at (name of Zeeland company), photography is his passion.
He donated his time to create portraits for those who use the 32-year-old Ministries With Communities for everything from free laundry services to meals. The staff of Ministries with Communities, a daytime shelter located downtown Kalamazoo, set up the appointments over two days. Wojtyniak talked to each person, family or couple before the shoot to find out a bit about them to best capture their personalities.
“We offer critical services seven days a week, that many people take for granted,” said Monika Trahn, public relations and marketing director of Ministries. “(Wojtyniak) got them in their own “skin.” He got to know them and asked some to have fun, and goof off. For us here, it’s not often we see that person laughing like that. While we service many of these people everyday, we held back tears listening to some of their stories we’d never heard,” Trahn said.
Ryan, 19, had been in 53 foster homes growing up in Detroit. He came to Kalamazoo when he and his girlfriend were expecting a child, and works in a local factory. His mother died when he was 12 years old, and said of her, “like fat kids love candy, that’s how much love I have for my mom.”
Theresa had been molested by her father from age 6 to 12. At age 15 she was emancipated as an adult, came to Kalamazoo to raise her child because, “it was the first stop the bus was making. I didn’t know anybody here.” Not long after her arrival, she was arrested for a past traffic warrant in her hometown, and her daughter was taken into protective custody.
Melvin started using drugs when he was 21 years old. Now, considerably older, his gentle spirit continues to struggle with addiction.
Jimmy and Penny shared how they met and said, “just because we’re homeless, doesn’t mean we don’t have dreams and hopes.”
View other Enduring Spirit photos in our gallery: www.comvoicesonline.com/gallery
