The Bay Seeing the Tenderloin Through the Eyes of Neighborhood Kids
Dec 26, 2025
Cammie Dominguez, a California local news fellow and reporter for the San Francisco Public Press, discusses her captivating project where Tenderloin kids used disposable cameras to document their neighborhood. She highlights how these second- to fifth-graders showcased their vibrant lives, from friendships to joyful activities. Notably, kids like Mohammed captured poignant moments that challenge the prevailing narratives about the Tenderloin, revealing a place filled with pride and youthful energy. Their unique perspectives bring a refreshing light to this often-misunderstood community.
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Kids' Photo Project In The Tenderloin
- Cammie Dominguez gave about 20 Tenderloin kids disposable cameras and developed over 400 photos to show their daily lives.
- Mohamed, age 10, photographed family, school, transit, and played a strong storytelling role in the project.
Parachute Photo Captures Childhood
- Mohamed captured a perfect childhood moment under a parachute that moved Cammie to tears when she first saw the prints.
- The image framed a friend's smile and evoked the exact feeling of shared childhood play.
Neighborhood Pride In Everyday Scenes
- Several kids photographed everyday scenes like a Turk Street sign to show pride in the Tenderloin as home.
- Their work reframed the neighborhood as familiar, beautiful, and worth showing to newcomers.