Bethesda Project – Challenging the stigma of homelessness, saving children through art

By Jessica Paradysz
April 1, 2014

Bill Podmenic, Dave Kopena and Philip Martin: residents of Bethesda Project. (Jessica Paradysz/Asst. Lifestyles Editor)
Bill Podmenic, Dave Kopena and Philip Martin: residents of Bethesda Project. (Jessica Paradysz/Asst. Lifestyles Editor)
Bill Podmenic, Dave Kopena and Philip Martin: residents of Bethesda Project. (Jessica Paradysz/Asst. Lifestyles Editor)
Bill Podmenic, Dave Kopena and Philip Martin: residents of Bethesda Project. (Jessica Paradysz/Asst. Lifestyles Editor)

The homeless are often harshly stereotyped. People pass by them in Philadelphia, huddling in an alcove, sitting on the streets, asking for some food or kindness in the city of Brotherly Love. City people rush to go about their day, scoffing at the people in search of shelter and hope.

They are lazy. They are sick. They chose to be this way.

Yet these thoughts are not true. Many come from middle class backgrounds and fell into depression as a result of tragic situations.

Linda Panetta, adjunct professor of photography courses at Cabrini College and a social justice advocate, did not turn away from the homeless.

She remembers one day where she was walking around the city and she saw a man. They were separated by a large fence, which could symbolize the stereotypes of their different worlds.

“I knew it was the right thing to do, and he immediately disarmed me by his total humility. He was so grateful for this one sandwich,” Panetta said.

Panetta offered the man a sandwich and talked to him, learned his name and story, and thus began her advocacy for the homeless.

Panetta initiated a program to engage students and faculty to work with the homeless.

She traveled the world to many devastated countries where she fought for the poor, largely inspired by the work of American women who were brutally tortured and murdered for helping the poor in El Salvador.

Panetta works with the Bethesda Project, teaching photography to members of the program through a Healing Arts Program. The creative initiative enables people to see the world in a different way and be proud of their art.

The Bethesda Project has 14 locations serving over 2,500 homeless and formally homeless men and women in the Philadelphia area.

“It’s teaching them photography, engaging them, helping them take pride in the artwork they create; it’s relationships and friendships that develop,” Panetta said, explaining the mission and essence of the program.

Panetta works closely with three men in the program, Dave, Phil, and Bill.

Dave Kopena had everything.

Kopena had a wife, a steady job, a normal life. When his wife died, he was lost and ended up on the streets. Kopena lived on the streets for six months before the police found him and placed him in contact with a social worker.

A native Philadelphian, train enthusiast, and history buff, Kopena is strong and does not reflect on much during his time living in the streets.

“It wasn’t easy, but you get by,” Kopena said.

A self-described “white boy from the suburbs,” Kopena now needed to apply for food stamps and welfare.

Now, with the help of the Bethesda Project, Kopena is more open and sociable. He enjoys taking pictures of trains and does not mind if people get in the picture.

“I go out taking pictures of people, flowers, buildings, and architecture where before I wouldn’t pay attention to that kind of stuff,” Kopena said.

At 62 years old, Kopena took his first steps into the iconic Philadelphia Art Museum and was amazed by the grand staircase and paintings.

The project introduced him to a new world of art.

“Linda brought me out, I was always kind of withdrawn, but now I’m more outgoing and talk to people,” Kopena said.

Phil Martin was a former addict who was busted for cocaine use and forced to live in a shelter.

Homeless youth face many obstacles, and they are more likely to be sexually abused, involved in crime, develop mental illness and substance abuse, as well as becoming school drop-outs.

The vicious cycle of crimes and records plague the homeless who are turned away.

Martin attributes his new life to God. Martin has overcome many obstacles, but humbly admits that if someone really wants to change, they will.

“You got to make up your own mind. As soon as you say you’re not going to use, you just don’t,” Martin said. “I believe prayer helps a lot too. The Lord brings all change.”

Kopena and Martin were not proud of some petty crimes and violence they committed just to obtain food.  Martin is not that person anymore.

“I don’t look for trouble. Photography keeps my mind off of all of that, makes you a better person,” Martin said.

William “Bill” Podmenic was working many hours, making a living and striving to be successful. His father died and his mother became terminally ill. Podmenic was the only person who could take care of her.

He explained that after working a long day, he was forced to come back home to a stressful and depressing situation. He did not have anyone to talk to and spiraled into depression.

According to the Bethesda Project, sixty-five percent of Bethesda Project residents have serious medical issues, sixty percent have mental illnesses and forty-five percent have histories of addiction. In addition, thirty percent are dual diagnosed with mental illness and addiction.

Podmenic sees beauty in everything and is blessed for the opportunities in life. He marvels that a crack in the sidewalk can be art and often spends time walking around Philadelphia, taking extra time to capture a beautiful photograph.

“There is beauty in everything, especially if you stop to take a look,” Podmenic said.

Podmenic strives to learn and even subscribes to a digital photography school and studies tips to improve his art. He thirsts to learn and is currently studying a textbook on photography.

Podmenic explains that “Linda has been wonderful. Not only does she take us out for photography, but she’s become a really good friend. She’s very caring. I’m just so fortunate that I saw the paper announcing the program and I’m glad that I stuck it out.”

Podmenic wants to give back whenever he can and speaks to people on the streets, directing them to food, shelter and counseling.

“We don’t always see the positive things, or sometimes the negative things outweigh the positives and this is a way to stay positive and see hope for the future and give back to other people too,” Podmenic said.

All three men have incredible stories and an inspirational lease on life.

The men speak highly of Linda Panetta, who helped them learn photography and find meaning in life.

The men agree that education is important and lament that many privileged children take education for granted.

Governments are slashing funding for the poor. These people are often forgotten.

As Dave explained, the government does not want to raise taxes, and the homeless are the first to suffer. All men do not foresee a future where the government will make an actual positive change for the homeless.

Bill displays his charming positivity and states that it is up to us to make it better.

Councilman Lew Fidler (D-Brooklyn), the Council’s Assistant Majority leader wrote a compelling article entitled “Who Will Help the Homeless.”

He understands that during the recession cuts must be made, yet politicians should not cut funding for vulnerable children. The politicians can cut other programs that are superfluous or reach into their deep pockets to give a child a bed.

Panetta knows too well through her work with foreign countries the “complicity” of the government.

Panetta laments that the system is broken and explains that it is “Mass exploitation of the poor when they cut these social services.”

As the government cuts programs, there is no stopping the resilience and compassion of local volunteers, members, and organizations such as Cradles to Crayons and the Bethesda Project.

Children especially cannot be turned away. They are the future leaders, dreamers, innovators and writers of the world, who should not be forced to live a life on the streets because the government turned them away.

Panetta works with children, showing those in shelters the power of photography through the Youth Emergency Shelter, Project Home, and Covenant House.

“I thought it was really important to reach out at that level and try to break that cycle. I’ve seen too much of how it affects the adults,” Panetta said.

Kopena, Martin, and Podmenic spend time mentoring the youth and instilling their love of photography.

“Sometimes it takes putting a camera in their hand and taking a couple pictures, and taking pride and ownership,” Panetta said.  “The kids are on cloud nine… that’s priceless.”

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Jessica Paradysz

Jessica is a junior communication major and Spanish minor. She currently is the Perspectives Editor for The Loquitur. Jessica is passionate about writing and believes that the paper is a great platform for students to showcase their creativity. She is one of the social media and marketing chairs for the Cavalier Dance Company. As a writer, she knows that dancing can tell a story. Everyone has a story to tell, and she is excited for the stories that will fill the pages of the paper this year.

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