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Guest: Annette Smiley, Director, Women and Children’s Enhanced Shelter
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission has partnered with a project called Portraits of Hope. Annette Smiley, director of the Women and Children’s Enhanced Shelter, explains that the project involves a group of stylists and makeup artists, helping women in recovery programs to dress up and take a portrait. These portraits can be used as Christmas cards to send to family members. The project has been a blessing to so many, one that Annette has been witness to in seeing the hope and restoration it brings.
Catch hope & encouragement with Erica on weekday mornings from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
Picture this, God’s healing and power to change a Life In the name of Jesus on camera. Hi, it’s Erica from SPIRIT 105.3 and Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission is teaming up with a very special organization to make that happen. I want to welcome Annette Smiley, director of the Women and Children’s Enhanced Shelter to the show today. It’s so wonderful to have you here, and my heart is warmed up this morning thinking about what’s happening at Hope Place this week. So, what is Portraits of Hope exactly, and how excited are you about it?
Annette Smiley:
Well, we are super, super excited about Portraits of Hope. Oh, and the ladies are so blown away. So, it’s a group that has come in. They bring clothing items so the ladies can pick out outfits. We have stylists coming in, makeup artists coming in, and the ladies are able to pick out an outfit to get dressed up, dolled up and take a portrait, and they’ll be able to use that as a Christmas card to send the family members. It’s one of those things that when women come into a recovery program and they start doing the work and getting healed and all of that stuff, and it’s these type of experiences that are everlasting for the women, because some of them have never either been able to take a portrait, or some have had broken relationships with their family. And this is a perfect way to send a Christmas card with the woman and the child, or if it’s a single lady, or a family to their families because the picture speaks a thousand words, right? And so, it’s just super exciting to be able to experience that, especially for some that has never had that opportunity.
Erica:
It’s like saying to every single person on their Christmas list, look what God has done in my life.
Annette Smiley:
Absolutely. That’s exactly what its saying. And how good is that? How great is that? And it’s something you can hold onto and you can keep. So yeah, they are really amazing and we are so grateful that they decided to bless our women and children with this gift of a portrait.
Erica:
What is it like Annette, in that room as you’re seeing these smiles on the faces of the women? I mean, it’s like capturing God’s goodness on film.
Annette Smiley:
Oh my goodness. It just brings tears to your eyes to see these women, and some have not smiled like that in a long, long time. And so to see them and to see the children just dressed up. One little girl twirling around in her dress and just, I mean, it’s an experience. You can tell the question is perfect. You can tell by the smiles on their face.
Erica:
And what’s happening in your heart as you’re seeing all of this unfold. I picture these women blooming like flowers right in front of you.
Annette Smiley:
I just look at God. I’m like, look at God, and I know restoration is happening. You know what I mean? I know hope is happening through these ladies, and I’m just like, look at God. He’s still doing what he does best. It’s bringing hope and restoration and healing. There’s so many things that happens. One might think because some people were privileged to have this on a, “Everybody go take family portraits,” but everybody’s not privileged to that. And so to see it happen, it just warms my heart. My response is, look at God.
Erica:
Look at God. I love it. Annette, it’s wonderful to talk with you. Thank you for the work that you all do at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Day in, day out. You are witnesses to hope, to love, to peace. That can only come from Jesus, and we’re so grateful for you. And a big shout out to Portraits of Hope for the good work they’re doing right alongside you. God bless you, my brand new friend.
Annette Smiley:
Thank you. Thank you so much. Have a great day.
Erica:
You too dear.
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