Esteem Unlimited, Inc. has been busy since coming into being October 2008. We recruited impressive new members for our Board of Directors and completed two photography projects.
We offered free portrait photography services for 3 days at the Salvation Army Transitional Housing for homeless women with children. The experience was wonderful and totally validated our goals and mission statement. After meeting with the Executive Director and presenting our services, she met with the Residents to be sure they were interested. They were very excited for the opportunity and we moved forward.
Over a three day period we set up an on-site studio at the Transitional Living location, complete with backdrops, lighting, computer viewing, props, and music. We had posted a promotional poster prior to coming encouraging folks to make appointments. Everyone was given an hour to be photographed. As you can imagine people stopped in unexpected and some showed up late, but we made sure everyone was given enough time to be creative and expressive!
The very first photographs taken actually were not scheduled. A new resident was literally moving in with her son when she noticed us setting up and asked to be included. The second resident photographed was crying and saying thanks for doing this because she had never been photographed with her child!
Esteem Unlimited, Inc. provided a free package of prints and cd of images to each family that was photographed. Also, all the images will be archived for future reference, which is very important for people in transition!
For our second project we volunteered to help out the 4th District Police Officers by photographing an event they sponsored for Cochran Elementary. They provided an incredibly fun day of Christmas Events for the entire school, complete with a live show by Radio Disney, new t-shirts, treats, and a visit from SANTA. We were surprised by how open the children were to being photographed and the joy they expressed in having their photographs taken. After mentioning this to one of the Teachers, she told us that many of the children at this school don’t have opportunities for such attention or financial means to have professional photographs. Once again convincing us that Esteem Unlimited is offering a valuable service!
Along with offering free portrait services, Esteem Unlimited has many goals and objectives including workshops and other photography projects for the disadvantaged and at risk population!
If you are interested in more information concerning the criteria for receiving our free services or making a donation to the organization please telephone or e-mail Pat Gould or myself!
Gwen Orta
Executive Director/Co-Founder
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