care: work, a photo exhibition displayed on LinkNYC

The urgency and intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic have underscored the essential role of caregivers in the health, family life, community, and economy of the United States.  In every city and neighborhood large and small, caregivers may be volunteers, relatives, or professionals and are often people of color and frequently immigrants from the global south.   For over a year, photographers Anna and Jordan Rathkopf have been photographing and interviewing care workers in their Brooklyn community.  They have captured the diversity and commitment of these local heroes, many of whom are volunteering their time outside of their normal work lives.  LinkNYC shared these photographs for a May 2021 campaign on digital billboards throughout New York City as an inspiration for New Yorkers emerging from a harrowing year.  

care: work, a photo exhibition displayed on LinkNYC

The urgency and intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic have underscored the essential role of caregivers in the health, family life, community, and economy of the United States.  In every city and neighborhood large and small, caregivers may be volunteers, relatives, or professionals and are often people of color and frequently immigrants from the global south.   For over a year, photographers Anna and Jordan Rathkopf have been photographing and interviewing care workers in their Brooklyn community.  They have captured the diversity and commitment of these local heroes, many of whom are volunteering their time outside of their normal work lives.  LinkNYC shared these photographs for a May 2021 campaign on digital billboards throughout New York City as an inspiration for New Yorkers emerging from a harrowing year.  

care:work 
a photo exhibition displayed on LinkNYC
May 1- May15, 2021  
Brooklyn, NY
Portraits of Volunteers and Essential Workers 
by Anna and Jordan Rathkopf
INSTALLATION
ARTISTS 

 Anna and Jordan Rathkopf create visual narratives focused on issues of identity, health, and what it means to be part of a community. During the height of Covid-19 in NYC in April 2020, The Rathkopfs combed the hardest-hit neighborhoods of Brooklyn to document the diverse network of people devoting their time, energy, and hearts to the thousands of people who were in desperate need of their help.

Over the past year, they have photographed and recorded the voices of over one- hundred and fifty volunteers working with 18 different organizations in neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn. 
They note: "We've witnessed so many incredible people step up for their community. They haven't asked for recognition, fame, or payment.  It has been a selfless act of solidarity embodied by people from all kinds of backgrounds."  Anna added: ”As an immigrant woman, I have been so inspired by the many women organizers I have met throughout this project, many of whom are immigrants or first-generation."
www.rathkopf.com 

LEARN ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS
ARTWORK WITH AUDIO
Sabia
Raised over $40,000 to provide food and cash relief to support her Bangladeshi community in Kensington.
PLAY SABIA'S AUDIO
WHITNEY
Helped raise $300,000 to provide over 20,000 free grocery boxes to neighbors throughout southern Brooklyn.
PLAY WHITNEY'S AUDIO
Fabiola
Raised over $35,000 for direct relief to aid immigrant communities in Sunset Park with immediate basic needs.
JOSH
Teaches special education and delivers meals door-to-door in Bensonhurst.
PLAY JOSH'S AUDIO
Nowshin 
Turned her restaurant into a food distribution center serving low-income residents in Little Pakistan.
PLAY NOWSHIN'S AUDIO
SHMUEL AND YAAKOV
Brothers who helped distribute food in Brighton Beach During Ramadan.
PLAY SHMUEL AND YAAKOV'S AUDIO
Mathylde
Distributed meals to seniors in Coney Island.

PLAY MATHYLDE'S AUDIO

Tina + Theresa
Provided care packages with food and necessities to families in Bay Ridge and other parts of Brooklyn.
PLAY THERESA'S AUDIO
Muneca
Delivered food to essential workers at Coney Island medical clinics.
PLAY MUNECA'S AUDIO
JASON
Volunteers by packaging food in Sunset Park. 
PLAY AUDIO
SUPPORT THESE ORGS
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