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In 2009, Fine Art photographer Betsey Chesler decided to use her craft to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged teens, and she launched the Cameras For Kids Foundation (CFKF).  The idea was to put cameras in the hands of kids and teach them basic concepts of art and photography—thereby fostering self-esteem, confidence, and a skillset they could be proud of.

Part of Chesler’s inspiration for CFKF was a result of her earlier volunteer experiences at a number of orphanages in South Africa.

Since the first CFKF class of 10 teens in South Florida the program has expanded to 35 locations, including foster facilities, after-school programs for at–risk teens, and schools for special–needs children who are unable to attend a regular school. And along the way, the Foundation has created some pretty good photographers in the process.

CFKF has also placed cameras in the hands of some 750 kids across the U.S., Canada and Haiti. They also regularly hold exhibitions of participants’ work, the most recent being a show this past January in Toronto—sponsored by BMO Capital Markets, Vistek, and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Chesler notes that “Cameras For Kids Foundation uses photography to capture the imagination of their participants to empower them and open a whole new world for them to visualize and create.”

CFKF is a non-profit charitable organization built on the generosity of others to make a difference in some of the over 500,000 children living in foster care in the United States. Details on getting involved are on the group’s website. You can also stay abreast of CFKF news and exhibitions by following their Facebook page.