CONCERNED CITIZENS CENTER
3 Dore St, Center Ossipee, NH
Ossipee Concerned Citizens is a local nonprofit organization that has supported older residents of Ossipee and nearby communities for many years.
One of the center’s main purposes is to create a space where people can not only receive useful services and support, but also meet and spend time with others on a regular basis.
For older adults, places like this can be especially important because they help maintain social connections, daily routines, and a sense of involvement in the community.
During the shoot, this was the part of the center that stood out to me the most. People were talking naturally, sitting together at the tables, and seemed relaxed and genuinely comfortable around one another.
It felt very different from the common stereotype of places for older people as quiet or isolated spaces. Here, there was a strong sense of conversation, connection, and everyday social life.
The staff also plays an important role in creating that atmosphere. They were very kind and attentive, and the environment felt warm, calm, and welcoming.
For me, it was important to show not just the room or a group of people sitting at tables, but the actual purpose of the space - giving people a place to meet, communicate, and spend time together.
My Role as a Photographer
During the shoot, I tried to interfere as little as possible and simply observe natural moments of interaction. I wanted the photographs for Explore Ossipee to show Concerned Citizens Center as a place where older residents can feel connected to an active and supportive community.