Profiles in Friendship: Karen K. Redding – The Interview

“I first met Karen when she had so graciously agreed to serve as Clinical Supervisor for our Interns with USC’s Master level Social Work program,” says Mark Miller FSI Associate Executive and Director of Programs. “Karen, along with her colleague, Kay Ostensen, Ph.D., has played a crucial role in elevating the quality and effectiveness of the support we offer our residents. In that first meeting, it was easy to see that she had much more to offer than her clinical credentials. Her presence and her wisdom (beyond intellect) were immediately apparent.  To ‘hang’ in any experience with Karen is to leave no stone unturned, no expression wasted.  Her whole being is about discovering the truth and heart of the matter. “Karen shares much of her work and her self with us, including leading an exploratory group with fellow artists who are graduates or residents of Friendship Shelter. I am such a fan of her process, her ability to meld many disciplines into one beautiful image that captures the dignity of humanity. This is a core value in our organization, and though cliché, is a picture truly worth a thousand words.”    Mark Miller: You’ve documented your encounters through photographs of people around the world. What makes you decide what to photograph and what not to photograph? Karen Redding: My life experiences as a clinical social worker and psychoanalyst inspire my relationship to my subject and the way I interpret what I see. For example, when I go to the tribal villages, I don’t immediately start clicking my camera. I try to be there, to “show up” and be present in the setting and the cultural circumstances. I take some time to walk around the village; to take notice of what the people are doing; what they are wearing; how they are preparing food; and how they seem to be responding to “outsiders” being there. I may use non-verbal gestures and expressions to engage in playful ways. For the most part, the indigenous people tend to see that I am “with them,” that I am curious and interested. I know that my photography resonates when I can feel rapport. MM: It’s extraordinary that you’re able to take these photographs on site and to share them with the world. But I must ask you, what is it like to be a visitor in parts of the world that know such hardship? KR: So often, many of us feel a sense of guilt, sadness, helplessness and powerlessness when we bear witness to scarcities and deprivations. Perhaps, in Judith Nelson’s words, finding a way to really “be there” and give back takes us out of a “shared trauma” and into a “shared compassion.” It becomes a challenge to transform our “global grief” into global reorganization, leading us to the acquisition of a universal compassion, by seeing others more deeply and learning their stories. MM: What do you hope to accomplish through your photography? KR: I hope to bridge perceived differences across our human landscape of diversity by communicating a message that we are essentially one people with many variations. MM: What does that bridge mean to the people who you photograph? KR: We stayed with the Waghi Tribe in Papua New Guinea. We were taken by the tribe’s hospitality and warmth. Later, when I sent a donation from the proceeds of the sale of my photographs to this tribe, I received a letter from their local tourism guide, Lawrence Walep. In it he said: “It is a great surprise for all of us to see that our name and village was published in your local newspaper and photography show. We do not know how much we can thank you for remembering us in trying to connect us with the rest of the world. We believe in our hearts that your hope has become our hope as well to facilitate a way of seeing that bridges differences, so that each one of us can feel our own ‘tribal’ roots in our diverse and shared humanity.” This trip became a model for me in making art with photography, while also creating an exchange to give back to the local people. MM: Thank you for sharing your work and your art with us, Karen. KR: You’re welcome. And thank you for the work you do at the Friendship Shelter. Karen K Redding, LCSW, Ph.D., is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst and artist with a private practice in Laguna Beach, CA. Dr. Redding provides clinical supervision to Friendship Shelter case management interns who are completing their master’s program in social work at USC, as well as leading a series of groups for artists who have experienced homelessness. Selected pieces from Her “Travels Through Humanity” series of photographs are currently on display at Friendship Shelter and may be purchased, with 20% of the proceeds going to benefit residents of Friendship Shelter’s Self Sufficiency program serving homeless adults. You can visit more of Karen’s work at: www.karenkredding.com

Stories of Home – 2010 : Actor Christopher MacDonald Joins The Cast

Renowned actor Christopher MacDonald has joined the cast of WordTheater’s Stories of Home, a new literary event to be held on behalf of Friendship Shelter. The event is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, November 14th at The Forum Theater located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. MacDonald joins a cast that includes actor Richard Burgi, former star of ABC TV’s Desperate Housewives, who was the first actor to commit to the event.

MacDonald has appeared in over 85 films, including his breakout role as quizmaster Jack Berry in the Robert Redford-directed Quiz Show. Equally adept at comedy and drama, MacDonald has created a string of memorable characters, including the conniving golf pro Shooter McGavin in the Adam Sandler cult classic, Happy Gilmore. He has also appeared in dramatic roles, like that of Ron in Bill Murray’s award-winning movie, Broken Flowers.

Stories of Home is a first for Friendship Shelter, and the first performance by WordTheatre in Orange County. The event will celebrate the concept of home from all perspectives.

If you know a story about home or friendship that you love, send the title and author to Mark Stenroos. Stories must not exceed 2500 words. We expect to perform a variety of stories and promise a great selection and a most wonderful show.

For more information or if you wish to sponsor the event, contact Randy Kraft or Mark Stenroos.

Welcome New Board Members 2010

At the January Board of Directors meeting, two Laguna Beach residents were elected to serve a three-year term. Both have been volunteers and financial supporters of the organization and bring their compassion and commitment to their new role.

Jane Hanauer is the owner of Laguna Beach Books, an independent bookstore at the Old Pottery Place.  She opened the store to provide a wide variety of reading materials to serve members of the community with a similar passion for literature and great books. Born in Manhasset, N.Y. and a graduate of Bradford College, Hanauer taught school at the elementary level, started a bookstore at St. Margaret’s School in San Juan Capistrano, and worked with autistic children at Little Friends School in Naperville, Illinois. Among other activities she has served on the boards of the Assistance League, Newport Beach and currently serves with Planned Parenthood, Orange County and San Bernardino, Jane and her husband Joe, have been Renaissance Club and Key Club members at Friendship Shelter for several years, providing funds that help to sustain core programs. Originally from Chicago, the Hanauers have lived in Laguna Beach for 25 years and have three grown children.

Rebecca [Becky] Wills, RN, was born in Oregon, ultimately settled in California and obtained her nursing degree from Chapman College. She specialized in oncology at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and subsequently worked with a private practice devoted to hematology and oncology. In 2005, she volunteered with FEMA to provide nursing services to Hurricane Katrina victims, an experience, she says, that opened her eyes to the needs of the homeless. She joined Friendship Shelter in January 2008 as the volunteer nurse/health care coordinator. She meets with all new residents, evaluates their general health, documents their medical history, determines if they need immediate treatment, and monitors medications. In 2009, she was trained to help residents apply for MSI [Medical Services for Indigents] to acquire health insurance benefits. She has also established relationships with pro-bono medical professionals and local clinics. Becky and her husband Eric live in Laguna Beach with their three children.

Temple Bat Yahm's Food Drive Provides Nourishment

Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach generously donated two truckloads full of food to Friendship Shelter. We're grateful to have a stocked pantry this fall thanks to their food drive!

Facilities Manager, Eric Anderson (right), is happy to accept the donation from Jill Edwards and Joel Perlmuter of the temple.

Lowes Renovates Henderson House Read more at OC Register....

A small army of volunteers from Lowe’s Home Improvement Center descended on Henderson House two weeks ago, our transitional living program in San Clemente, armed with paint and tile and brand new appliances for the kitchens. Over the course of four days, Lowe’s employees, assisted by our staff and residents, and with the support of Denise Obrero and Leslie Davis, of the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, painted every kitchen, retiled kitchens and bathrooms , and installed new refrigerators and ranges. In addition, Lowe’s constructed a new retaining wall, made preparations for a community garden on the sloped side of the property, and installed a new barbecue at each of the two buildings that make up Henderson House. Founded in 1996, 12 men and 12 women, graduates of our shelter program in  Laguna Beach, live in shared 2-bedroom apartments for roughly one year, while they continue to receive support services, moving further along the path to more independent mainstream lives. Modest rents permit residents to save money for future housing. Last year, with a HUD grant and funding from two private donors, we implemented Project Ready! to help residents improve their employment options and develop better life skills and, as a result, all of our residents are working, those who graduate move on to much fuller lives and, in the fall, 9 of the current residents are going to school!  

Nothing helps people feel good about themselves and improve their prospects for better lives than living in clean and comfortable surroundings, and while the value of the Lowe’s contribution has been estimated at $70,000, in the end, it is truly priceless. We are most grateful to the good people of Lowe’s for their generosity and hard work on our behalf.  

Henderson House Resident's Art shown in San Clemente Read more...

Volcom and Laguna Surf Shop Donate Boardshorts

Many of our residents were outfitted in August with nearly new Volcom boardshorts – a colorful collection of surf attire that work just as well as kick around and beach shorts. Many local residents donated their gently used shorts to be recycled, in return for an opportunity to win a year’s worth of outfits. “Recycle your old boardshorts for a good cause” was made possible by Laguna Surf Shop, where the “boardies” were dropped and subsequently collected by the local Volcom representative, who arranged for them to be cleaned and prepared for use. Volcom and Surf Shop friends arrived overflowing with shorts that are as good as new. We are most grateful to David Strong and Jason Watson at Laguna Surf Shop and to William Maniaci and friends at Volcom for their generosity – our residents are thrilled to be outfitted in summer surf style.

“Throughout the country we collected over 800 recycled pairs of boardshorts through the recycle bins we set up in selected surf shops. Most of those pairs are going to children and adults in countries where surfing is on the rise but they do not have the same resources as we do.”  William Maniaci, Volcom

"Shelter Me" Musical CD for Friendship Shelter

A remarkable anthology of music infused with hope and enlightened by musicians living on the streets. This one-of-a-kind compilation includes songs written by and for the homeless and recorded by professional Southern California musicians, including homeless musicians...learn more