Keeping Age in Focus
SUMMARY
As a 15-year affordable housing professional working for national nonprofit organizations such as Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity, volunteerism has always been an important part of how we accomplish our much-needed work. While older adults over the age of 65 support nearly 25% of all volunteer needs, not much recognition is given for their support and contributions. From back office to customer service and even to physically demanding and skilled work, there are many examples of how older adults shape and improve the communities they live in. Through first-hand experience, I have seen that older adult volunteers are the most likely to return and support through long-term commitments and I believe this is a story needing to be told.
MY CREATIVE PROCESS
My vision for this project is to spotlight older adults in volunteerism through a photographic storytelling, and a 2 to 3-minute video project on older adult community impact. I have a wide group of nonprofit partners and community connections that would help me in support a wide range of older adult backgrounds, ethnicities, and situational photo opportunities. While connecting with these older adults, I would also capture video of them in action, and produce a video that narrates the significant contributions of our aging population. Being mindful of the imagery tips provided in the grant supporting information, the gallery and video would aim to showcase a broad spectrum of the positive impact older adults provide today.
Please see below for sample images and a video project that I shot, edited and produced. Thank you!
Photography Sample Gallery
Videography Sample
My Bio
Jerry Zuniga is a 15-year professional in affordable housing and aging advocacy. He has designed and managed healthy housing programs for national nonprofit chapters for Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity. Jerry is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and is the co-developer of "Safe Home/Healthy Home", an elective course through National Council on Aging's (NCOA) nationwide Aging Mastery Program (AMP). Jerry is also a professional photographer and aspiring videographer.