"We are all human beings. Some of us are just luckier than others when it comes to our 'drawing' at the card game of life. Those of us who are fortunate have a responsibility to help those who have not been blessed with financial wealth."
"When I first heard about the project, I didn‘t care to be a part of it. I had the idea, like I’m sure so many others did, that if people are living in poverty then it’s their own fault; they put themselves there. But I realized through this experience that such is not the case. The people we met work just as hard as the next guy, but can’t seem to get ahead. I learned not to judge people by where they work or how they live. Sometimes it isn’t their choice and they may be doing the best they can do and deserve respect for that."
"I realized that poverty is not just a third world problem, and Americans need to make it a priority to assist their own."
"The most important thing is that no matter what the situation, people are all just people. We all try to get what we can out of life. I learned that poverty is a cycle that is very hard to get out of. "
"At the completion of this project, while viewing and hearing the situations of these families, I realize that it is physically impossible for some to get out of their state of living. Either monetary issues or health problems are often the cause. [The learning that has had the most impact on me] is certainly how much I have been given because of the family I was born into."
"I realize that one does not have to be homeless to live in poverty. People living all around us may be facing these problems, and we can’t tell because they look and dress just like us. [. . .] I understand there are many things that factor into poverty. Some people work very hard but can’t seem to dig themselves out of the very deep hole they are in."
"I realize now, in retrospect, how meaningful the entire experience has been for me and what sort of impact it has made on my life and work for the future. [. . . .] In this project, I was no longer talking about those places or theories of social issues. I realize that I have been all talk and no action. I realize that I really did not KNOW anything about poverty until I saw the faces and began to listen [to the voices]. This project has been somewhat of a spiritual journey for me as well as a course and excellent experience."
"I have always believed education could help individuals pull themselves out of poverty. With a degree someone can have the knowledge and skills to get a higher wage, and with a higher wage, one rises to a financial status above “poverty level.” However, [the woman I talked to] had attended college and is currently continuing her education. Yet, she must care for four children, work, and attend school. She has no time for herself, and I wonder when she rests with such a schedule. Her situation is not rare, either. The issue is that our laws, our society, make it difficult for people who are “stuck,” if you will, in poverty to make ends meet with or without education."
"I did not realize that I had an attitude needing adjustment, a negative perception of poverty, until I found myself near the projects of Mobile. I never considered myself to hold “stereotypes.” [. . . .] My attitude changed when I decided to get over it. I made a conscious decision that if others see me as “that white girl from Spring Hill College invading our lives,” that was not the whole truth. I reversed the situation: People living where I photographed the family are not “those black people who are poor.” We are all human beings with complex and complicated lives affected by our society together."
"Working-people families must have extremely good luck and also work very hard to rise up."
"This project has altered my perspective, and I’m sure it will do the same for many people who view it. The fact that some people hope to change policy through their involvement reminds me of a quotation by Gandhi: 'As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world—that is the myth of the ‘atomic age’—as in being able to remake ourselves.' This project was successful because it built my understanding and compassion; I have grown as a person by participating in it. And if it has that kind of impact on everyone who views the website, we can say we have been successful. And by remaking ourselves—as I believe we each have done—we are able to remake the world."
"I am optimistic about individuals’ ability to truly change the world. I believe that this change begins on a personal level, through fostering patience, compassion, and understanding; only then can we hope to change the people and the circumstances around us. As humans we have an awesome responsibility to each other; kindness. Even small acts of kindness can go a long way; no doubt one can lead by example—perhaps even change the world—if kindness is a ruling principle. [. . .] Indeed, individuals hold great power—and thus, great responsibility—to impact changes from the bottom up. And if people change, institutional change will follow naturally."