As the new Executive Director of Portraits of Hope, I find myself in awe of how God is bringing new life to dry bones. We like to say that the Lovelady Center closes the chapter on a woman’s past life, and Portraits of Hope opens a new chapter for their future. This spring has been filled with fresh new beginnings. I am reminded of the Lord’s power each spring when I witness rebirth in plants, flowers and grass that appeared dead one month and are bursting with vibrant color the next month. The Lord is committed to making all things new again.
At Portraits of Hope, we are excited about new ways we have begun to care for the Lovelady graduates. Through our new initiatives our goal is to connect friends of Lovelady with our graduates of Lovelady. To list a few of our programs:
- Live Gatherings Featuring a Lovelady Graduate
- Studio Workshops
- Work Force Initiative
- Mentor/Friendship Program
- Quarterly Dinners for Grant Recipients
We love hosting live gatherings in our gallery. These gatherings give groups of people the opportunity to hear from a grant recipient about her story of transformation. Most people are moved by the testimony and often find a connection with the woman sharing her story. We have hosted professional groups, garden clubs, Church groups, and book clubs. One live gathering that stood out this spring was initiated by our Board Member, Campbell Fulton. We had Lovelady graduate Candace Jones share her story that began as a student at Briarwood High School. The road she travelled was hard and scary, but thanks be to God who redeemed Candace’s life and turned it around for His glory. At this particular gathering we had three generations of women from one family as well as four schools represented. It was an invigorating evening, with 70 ladies in attendance.
The Studios have been wonderful. It is so much fun to create and learn a new skill. Tabitha Frazier was so generous with her time and materials. Everyone went home with beautiful new pieces of custom jewelry. Lee Wilson’s artistic talent behind a paint brush is extraordinary. Everyone attending loved to create a custom angel painting. The best part of the studio events were the relaxed atmosphere and easy ways to connect with Lovelady graduates and friends of Lovelady.
Founder, Beverly McNeil will share about the Work Force Initiative. It was our first training program and it was a huge success. Several professional men and women from the Birmingham community volunteered their time and expertise to help the four amazing women develop over the one-month program.
Board Member, Kate McKnight is helping us start a mentor/friendship program this fall. We are excited to continue to grow in deeper relationships with Lovelady graduates. There will be an informational meeting at the gallery for all interested mentors in August. Thanks to artist and author Brenda Bogart, we have donated books to use in the mentorship program. These books will offer Christian truths while facilitating conversation.
Thank you for believing in the idea of a story, that bloomed into a book that has become a new way of hope for many of our well-deserving Lovelady Graduates.
With Hope in Christ,
Marne Wood