Contributed by Nancy Angelini Crawford
If you saw my article in the Mid-June 2020 publication of Make A Scene AK, then you know this is a follow up article.
For the last year, I’ve been painting portraits of some of those whose lives have been impacted by MY House Mat-Su. A once convicted felon, now believes and has dreams of becoming an actor. A young girl, who due to medical reasons, had the right hemisphere of her brain removed. She spent some time facing homeless, but is now a worldwide advocate for others in her health position, has been an administrative assistant at MY House, and is an editor for Make A Scene! There is nothing short in her abilities to say the least. She is beginning a new chapter in life soon by heading off to another country to marry her love. Speaking of love, she makes everyone feel loved and is loved equally in the Valley by everyone who meets her.
The stories of lives that have run into the “stop sign” of unconditional love is gratefully abundant. Michelle Carney Overstreet founded and leads the staff and volunteers at MY House Mat-Su. They offer a free hot supper from 3pm-4pm every Monday – Friday, available to clients and non-clients with no strings attached. More than a free meal, they offer an opportunity to choose the right path at the fork in the road. MY House offers counsel, jobs, education and even a roof over their head.
Loosely quoting the words of Michelle, “We can and we must do better. This is how we change the world and overcome poverty. They come having no capacity to believe in themselves. Love conquers that. What if the whole community did that instead of judging and perpetrating the stigma. A lot of this is probably based on trauma but let’s use the things they love in their lives to move forward, be it music, books or something else.”
I’ve recently heard about a few heroes…
One was a famous surfer who while in Hawaii rescued a drowning woman in high surf. There was also a woman in Arizona that saved an entire family from a burning house, and a police officer in Somerset, Massachusetts (the town I was born in) who had mercy on two women stealing only food to feed their family during COVID pandemic.
It is easy for you to be on this list of heroes too. Simply by bidding on a “Portrait of Hope” as much as you are able, you too can save a life. If you’re not able to bid at this time, maybe you know someone you can share this with.
The auction to raise funds for MY House MatSu will be ready to bid on from February 14th - February 28th. To participate in the auction, type in the link or follow the QR code: https://www.32auctions.com/PortraitsofHope
Some things to note:
If you are the winning bidder on a portrait you will have the option to choose an alternate painting from a pre-determined collection at www.AngeliniStudio.com The highest bid on the entire auction will have first choice and so on. Choosing an alternate painting will also gift the portrait to the model, so they are forever reminded that they are worthy.
Back to “WIN THIS PAINTING”! Be the first to place a bid on any item in the auction and be entered to win “Point of View” original 8x10 oil.