Make It Small Collaboration & Community |
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The first piece of advice given to Empty Frames Initiative was to take our vision and dream really big - dream bigger than what seemed possible or reasonable, have faith in God sized vision. The next piece of advice was to make it small. To take the fundamental part of the organization and show it on a small scale. |
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May 16, 2017 we did just that. We took the fundamental part of Empty Frames Initiative - collaborative empowerment for orphaned/vulnerable youth - and we made videos. The videos created on that day tell stories for another organization, SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out). Three amazing foster care alumni joined us and explained how finding a supportive community empowered them to stay strong while in foster care and after leaving the system. They remain connected to the SaySo community and are given access to many resources through the organization. We hope that the videos created will be used as an invitation for other foster youth to get involved. |
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Joining us that day was Amber Foster Smith - we shot the footage at her location, The Studio in Holly Springs. We also had Abbi Tengalia, founder of Transforming Hope, who shared her story and encouraged the participants in how to tell their stories in a way that empowers them and their listeners. We brought in a makeup artist, Aislinn, and clothing from The Flourish Market, just as icing on the cake :) The collaboration that took place made for beautiful videos and a fun atmosphere - it also served to show how many people can wrap around a cause and exceed expectations. |
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We have a large vision - working with orphaned and vulnerable youth, preparing them for independent living, empowering them through counseling, training in life skills, knowledge of the gospel and accessible community. It is an intricate idea that has to see the world of foster care and orphan care from so many angles - family dynamics, personal histories, emotional awareness, community bias, etc. The only way a vision this large could hope to succeed is by the grace of God. Second to that grace is the faith and passion of the people of God. He has given us the connections, the resources, and the time - but it’s the choice of every individual to say yes. We believe that the Lord calls His people to collaborative empowerment and that Empty Frames Initiative can provide an opportunity for life changing collaboration. As we move forward in our journey we wanted to share a glimpse of the potential and invite you to get involved.
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“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-18 |
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We want to constantly affirm with our participants “You are made with purpose and intention!” and we want to declare that over you, dear friends. You are made with purpose and intention, the Lord is the safest place to put your talents, abilities and hopes. Trust and don’t lose heart! |
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