Focus in Frame: Photography, Healing, and Growth
Brookline Teen Outreach recently partnered with Maeve, a dedicated Girl Scout who is working toward receiving her Gold Award. Her Gold Award project focused on bringing a powerful, trauma-informed photography program to our youth during the Spring of 2026.
Maeve has been involved in Girl Scouts since kindergarten, growing up in a program that emphasizes leadership, service, and community impact. Over the years, she has progressed through each level of Girl Scouts, building skills and confidence while completing service projects that address real-world issues. Her Gold Award project represents the culmination of this journey.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious achievement in Girl Scouting. It requires a Girl Scout to identify a meaningful community issue, research its root causes, and design and lead a sustainable project that creates lasting impact. The process is rigorous and independent, typically requiring 80 or more hours of planning, collaboration, implementation, and reflection. Earning the Gold Award demonstrates exceptional leadership, initiative, and commitment to making a difference.
For her project, Maeve designed and led a multi-week photography workshop series that combined technical skill-building with opportunities for self-expression and emotional exploration. Participants learned how to use cameras and smartphones to capture meaningful images while exploring how photography can serve as a tool for storytelling and processing experiences.
The impact of this program was both immediate and meaningful. Many youth who initially felt hesitant to share began to engage more confidently, experimenting with creative techniques and using their photos to communicate ideas and emotions that are often difficult to express in words. The workshops created a safe, supportive environment where youth felt empowered to explore their perspectives and develop a stronger sense of voice and identity.
The program culminated in a final photo showcase, where participants proudly presented their work to peers, staff, and community members. The exhibit highlighted not only their technical growth, but also their creativity, confidence, and willingness to be seen and heard. Selected student photographs are included as part of this showcase, offering a powerful glimpse into the perspectives and experiences of the youth involved.
In addition to leading the workshops, Maeve developed a comprehensive curriculum and resource guide to ensure the program can continue at Brookline Teen Outreach beyond her involvement. This creates a lasting opportunity for future participants to benefit from creative, trauma-informed programming that supports both personal growth and skill development.
Maeve’s project is a powerful example of what can happen when young leaders are given the tools and opportunity to create meaningful change. Through her dedication and leadership, she will not only earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, but has also created a lasting impact for the youth and community we serve.
