In an open, well-lit room, the walls are filled with art. Inside a multitude of white frames lie pieces of cardboard with writing scrawled across in varying colors. “Please Help / I’m not a bad girl / I just made bad decisions,” one of the posters says.
Last month, the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) and the Eleven Eleven Foundation premiered the exhibit “Invisible Words” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, dedicated to furthering people’s understanding of the hardships of people experiencing homelessness. The display will be available through June 30.
Located on the 5th floor of the library, the exhibit features a curated collection of signs made by people experiencing homelessness globally. Invisible Words engulfs the viewer in raw shame, desperation, anger, humor and insight of the homeless community.
IVC is a Catholic organization where volunteers over 50 utilize their skills in an effort to make an impact on the world. IVC members serve in 20 regions across the United States and volunteer with over 300 service organizations. IVC co-sponsors Invisible Words in hopes to build empathy to the experiences faced by people experiencing homelessness and those facing deep poverty. The Eleven Eleven Foundation works to support leaders and organizations that seek to better the planet and future generations with an emphasis on environment, health care and education.
