Cambrian College, Samaritan Centre partner on book about poverty

A collaborative work between Cambrian College and the Samaritan Centre puts a face to poverty.
A book, Aboutface, is a partnership between the Graphic Design Program at Cambrian College and the centre located in downtown Sudbury.
One of the college students who took photos was Chrisanne Daniel, a graphic designer graduate.
She says all of the people they photographed and spoke with were so incredibly open, honest and trusted us to share those stories with others.
The Samaritan Centre houses the Elgin Street Mission, Blue Door Café, and Corner Clinic, which all serve Sudbury’s less fortunate.
The project took five years to complete and tells over 40 stories.
All proceeds will go towards the centre to continue its programs.
“We know that every member of our community has a story to tell and is worthy of being heard,” says Ron Beltrame, who led the project and retired from Cambrian’s Graphic Design program in 2018.
“Through this journey, we came to understand that the causes of poverty and homelessness are never
as simplistic as some of us think. We want to show the complexity, dignity, and unique personalities
behind the people we often see, but seldom hear from in our community.”
One of the students who took photos for Aboutface was Chrisanne Daniel. She was in her third and final
year of Cambrian’s Graphic Design program when she joined the project.
“It felt good to have a chance to be part of something that would make a great impact,” she says. “What
I didn’t realize is what a profound impact Aboutface would have on me. All of the people that we
photographed and spoke with were so incredibly open, honest and vulnerable with us, and it was
moving, not only to hear their stories but to also be trusted to share those stories with others.”
Funding for the Aboutface project was provided by Cambrian’s Applied Research Department.
Copies are available at the Samaritan Centre, for $25.