I Will Not Be Forgotten: The Dignity in Homelessness
November 7, 2024 to January 31, 2025
Marin Civic Center 1st and 3rd Floor Galleries
From November 7, 2024, to January 31, 2025, the Marin County Civic Center will showcase I Will Not Be Forgotten: The Dignity in Homelessness, a compelling exhibit by San Rafael photographer Lea Del Pomo. The exhibition will be displayed in the 1st and 3rd Floor Galleries, presenting an intimate and moving portrayal of life on the streets and the journeys of individuals experiencing homelessness.
The exhibit features some 50 photographs chronicling the life of being homeless, the places called home, the transformative moments of those newly housed, and the outreach efforts to those on the streets by local agencies. Alongside each photograph, visitors will find selected personal stories in the words of those depicted, accompanied by a pair of their shoes—serving as powerful symbols of the steps taken through their journeys.
The goal of the exhibit is to dissolve barriers and reveal our shared humanity, while dispelling common misconceptions about homelessness. By spotlighting the dignity, struggles, and triumphs of those living without shelter, the exhibit seeks to challenge the myth that people choose homelessness. Instead, it highlights the critical impact of human connections and the strides made when communities come together to support one another.
“Any one of us can face homelessness due to life circumstances—whether through loss of health, relationships, or shelter,” said Gary Naja-Riese, Director of Marin County's Division of Homelessness and Whole Person Care. “This exhibit serves as a poignant reminder that homelessness does not define a person. It underscores the importance of compassion and collective efforts to restore dignity and rebuild lives.”
Del Pomo explains: “When a person feels perpetually unseen, we can harden into our solitude and internalize other’s opinions of ourselves. I’m interested in the human condition and see the beauty and tragedy in all of us. Who is behind the skin; how do they survive in the moment? My goal is to find the core within us that represents our universal connection in humanity. Using the camera is my way to capture the heart-felt sense of another.”
Timed to coincide with National Homelessness Awareness Month in November 2024, I Will Not Be Forgotten: The Dignity in Homelessness aims to inspire conversation, reflection, and action toward ending homelessness in Marin County.
The Civic Center Galleries are located on the first and third floors of the Marin County Civic Center at 3501 Civic Center Drive and are open Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm