This dream was birthed after going to El Salvador in May of 2017 with my church, Soul City Church . It was through this vision trip where I learned about a non-profit called Enlace . Enlace partners with local churches to create lasting change in their own communities. They teach and equip them to know they can be the change and help meet the needs of their neighbors. Their passion and in-depth knowledge of who specifically needed help in their own community spoke volumes to me. So much so, when I came back home, I asked God how I could partner with Him to be more involved in my own community (Maywood,IL).
As I began to do research and better understand our community’s history and context, it made me think of my own story, and how I was raised by a single mom, in a low income home, and how my lived experiences has shaped the way I saw myself and the world. It's barely now where I see how God has connected the dots of my story, and is using everything that was meant for bad, for His good. Looking back I see the influence of my high school photography teacher, Mr. Bullen, and how it was through his encouraging words that I decided to become a photographer. His words gave me the hope to believe I could be more, and that I was actually good at something. If it wasn't for him I don't know where I'd be today.
So, I began wondering what would it look like if we had a space to host events and workshops, where I, along with other boss friends, taught creative skillsets like photography, graphic design, video, podcasting, hand-lettering and more, partner that with financial literacy, such as how to budget, save, and business plan. I can imagine how learning a creative skillset could provide opportunities for our young adults to not only make an income, but find something they are passionate about, and in turn thrive.
Jeremy and I are living examples of what it could look like to learn a creative skillset, and make an income off it. Together we have photographed, filmed and created graphic/photo content for both small and large companies/non-profits.
However, what we didn’t have or know when we first started was how to manage money or have an understanding in how our lived experiences would influence or affect how we would value our services. However, through our own individual healing process and wise friends, we have learned to overcome scarcity mindsets and so much more.
So friends....this is what THE FIREHOUSE DREAM is!
We hope that you are inspired, encouraged, and would consider partnering with us!
Sincerely,
Jasmine Lopez
Co-Founder/Executive Director
