Through photography and storytelling, Café Photovoice empowers individuals in recovery to express themselves, engage their community, and raise awareness that strengthens treatment services. In doing so, participants gave voice to their experiences—fostering healing, dialogue, and resilience.
In partnership with Harlem’s Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center (Bowen Center) and Photovoice Worldwide, Adelphi University’s School of Social Work created a powerful initiative that gave voice to Bowen Center clients in recovery—transforming their lived experiences with mental health and addiction challenges into moving works of photography and storytelling.
To mark National Recovery Month, Adelphi University and the Bowen Center are proud to present Café Photovoice: A Conversation on Community, Recovery, Resilience, and Growth, featuring powerful photographs and personal narratives from Bowen Center clients who participated in the initiative.
Together with the project team, Café Photovoice artists will discuss how photography and storytelling highlight recovery, resilience, and growth—and why advocacy for community-based mental health services is essential.
September is National Recovery Month, dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and substance use disorders, celebrating the recovery community, and demonstrating that recovery is possible.
The event will take place tonight, Thursday, September 11, 2025, starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Ruth S. Harley University Center Gallery, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530.
About the Emma L. Bowen Center
The Emma L. Bowen Center stands as a vital lifeline for New Yorkers, offering comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment services, strong advocacy, and essential support. From connecting families to medical care and nutrition assistance, to providing public benefits, food stamps, legal aid, and more, Bowen is committed to meeting the full spectrum of community needs.
Serving more than 5,000 clients each year from Harlem, Upper Manhattan, and across the five boroughs, the Bowen Center also distributes more than 89,000 packages of food annually—ensuring that no neighbor is left behind.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
