Watch CBS News

Denver Homeless Children Snap 'Pictures Of Hope'

By Kathy Walsh

DENVER (CBS4) - Some homeless children in Denver are being encouraged to capture their hopes and dreams through photography. The kids were photojournalists for a day, asked to picture what they want for the future.

After a quick lesson in photography, each child was surprised with a camera. But the gift came with an assignment.

cameras-2
(credit: CBS)

"I feel happy. I'm nervous though, it's my first time doing this," said Melquiades Flores.

"This" was taking a shot at taking pictures. The task was to snap photos that show your hopes and dreams.

"To believe in myself and to help homeless kids," said Manuel Flores.

The Flores brothers and the other kids given the cameras are homeless. Most of them live at the Salvation Army's Lambuth Family Center in Denver. This "Pictures of Hope" program is the creation of photojournalist Linda Solomon.

"When you can see a dream, it puts you on the path to achievement," Solomon told CBS4 Reporter Kathy Walsh.

The children were paired with mentors. Six-year-old Jalen Shury said he dreams of being a cop, so Aurora police officers William Hummel and Lt. Stephen Redfearn helped Jalen capture photos of their crusiers.

cameras-1
(credit: CBS)

They even let him try the equipment. Their photo session abrupty ended with an emergency.

"I gotta go potty," said the 6-year-old.

The heartfelt photos are a good start for the kids, a way to put hope in focus. Some of the pictures will be made into holiday notecards that are expected to be ready on Nov. 11. All proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army of Denver.

Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.