Updates
HELP-PORTRAIT VANCOUVER DTES 2011
Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate this holiday season. In brief, here are the details:
In unity we have created a dynamic environment to steward our artistic services to the low income single parent families & residents of the Down Town East Side of Vancouver. This has been made possible with support of other Not for Profit Organizations in the Down Town East Side Such as
The Nehemiah Arts Foundation Vancouver, Union Gospel Mission, The Salvation Army , Artisan Vancouver & the YWCA Vancouver.
You can check out our promo video here
This years Help Portrait event will take place on Saturday December the 3rd 2011 at the Union Gospel Mission ( UGM ) 601 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC in the Down Town East Side where over 30 + local photographers will be shooting 300+ families/individuals on December 3rd with the help of our amazing volunteer team!
We will be providing onsite photo printing and also a postage station so the families are able to send the photos to their loved ones this holiday season at no cost to them. Each year we provide complimentary hair & makeup services & we will be offering these services again this year.We will also have live musical performances throughout the day both indoors & outdoors thanks to Artisan Vancouver & Nehemiah Records.
We also will be doing a clothing outreach with Clothes on Wheels during the event for families & individuals . Last year we also did a toy drive & will be setting one up again for this year so stay tuned for that as it was such a great addition last year.
We want to encourage you to spread the word about this exciting movement of artists who are uniting globally in December 2011 http://www.help-portrait.com/
This is an Open Community Event, All are welcome.
If you are interested in volunteering for the event on Saturday December the 3rd please contact us at info@nehemiahvancity.com & we will send you a volunteer application
Volunteer Positions Available:
- Hair Stylists
- Makeup Artists
- Art Outreach/Performances- i.e. Musicians, Painters
- Street Performers
- Security
- Greeter
- Community Outreach
- General Volunteer
- Photographer
- Photography Assistant/Runner
- SkateBoarders
- Set Up + Tear Down
inquiries or media requests please email info@nehemiahvancity.com
Facebook Event : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183198125087635
Thank you for your support!
September 2011 Update:
We are getting ready for the Help Portrait events this year as per usual and also wanted to let you know about a new subsidiary for profit business we launched NEHEMIAH RECORDS . Nehemiah Records is a brand new international indie record label and we invite you to explore more by checking out the website a www.nehemiahrecords.com . We have been in Haiti & Mainland China Scouting new talent , its been awesome and exciting & look forward to bringing you new music from around the globe. You can also check out this sweet article from the Vancouver Courier about the new Label http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/Record+label+aims+amplify+marginalized+voices+from+around+world/5372475/story.html
December 7th 2010 – This is a thank you letter
Help Portrait in the DownTown East Side on Saturday December 4th 2010 was amazing. My Day started out a bit rough on December 4th. I woke up late to discover that my black berry had crashed in the night when I had randomly hit multiple buttons when some very excited girl called me at 3am to sign up to Volunteer………….I rushed out of bed wondering what time it really was realizing I have a co-dependent relationship with my black berry and that it is infact my only source of real time in my entire house. I took the battery out and jumped in the shower waiting for it to reboot only to discover it was 7:45am….not too bad but I did say I would be there at 8:00 am to get our set up teams going since my seemingly amazing site map was missing a few details like where I wanted the contents that are inside the tents on the street set up stages etc…..I found out that unfortunately people cannot see inside my head to obtain such information and that I need to relay this in advance to avoid confusion. I then piled the toy/food donations into my buddies car (who was extremely relaxed) while my phone rang with media requests……………all before I had a chance to have coffee so it’s a miracle I gave them the right address because I am one of those people that needs to have at least ¼ of a Liter of Coffee in their system to function, I am also not a fan of the morning what so ever.
I arrived on site at 361 Heatley in time to get everything laid out the way it looked in my head thanks to the Alumni from Union Gospel Mission & Bruce Curtiss Senior Chaplain of Union Gospel Mission. The main studio for the actual photo shoot’s was and is always set up in no time at all, so efficient, streamlined & managed….the Photography core team & Lead Photographer Ian Sheh are not only talented Artists but amazing super geeks.
The outdoor street closure was my responsibility but I quickly had many volunteers and staff just taking care of all the details. When people work together and you can delegate/reproduce what you’re doing it’s the best case scenario for everyone, then you are not tired and venting on everyone. I have to say the team work was amazing. Cary from Fresh Wave Ministries rolled up at 10:30 am in his Vintage School Bus which we immediately transformed into a donation bus where people could come throughout the day and received food, blankets, clothes, prayer & toys.
11:00 am My girl Kathi Johnsen arrives on the scene and tells me there is a woman up the street on Hastings that needs help, so I said I would go take care of it. I walk up the street alone to find a half naked woman who simply refused to put her shirt on, it took some time to reason with her & I nearly got a black eye but it worked out to some degree. I was getting calls while I was with the woman apparently CBC was there waiting for me, so I rushed back to the site & was welcomed with the warm support of my friends and partners on this event which chilled me out immediately so that I was able to relay the message to the media of why we are doing this….Help Portrait that is.Nelson Boshman stood humbly near the wall offering up prayers while I was interviewed & I felt a real sense of peace wash over me & I can’t even remember what I said to that CBC guy. I think Nelson would have been a better fit to have on the air but he is the kind of man who is just happy to serve in the background & not take or look for recognition, so I want to give that to him now. Nelson organized all of the live music for the entire event & followed up with all of my Artists….which can be rough…..artists tend to lack certain administrative skills which I am sure you have noticed. Nelson also paid for a good chunk of our overhead in regards to permits for road closure & propane Heaters which were over $400.00.
There were so many Volunteers that I didn’t even get to meet or talk to & if that’s you and you are reading this I am sorry & I really appreciate you & your contribution. Danny Taylor was a savior; he came in last minute to help me to organize all of the general Volunteers so that I could go up north in between events & get some rest. He took over my emails & the follow ups, Danny is amazing, the real deal, he handled it all with class & grace. Jenny Ruth another angel took over the MUA/Hair team & scooped all of that work off of my plate as well, she was diligent because she really cares. Jenny volunteered last year at our first DTES Help Portrait she was a ninja last year which made her the perfect team leader for this year, her motives are in alignment with the Heart/Vision of Help Portrait. Jenny rocked the MUA/Hair station with her crew of recruits, she kept her cool even when we were super busy & had line ups of people waiting. The Volunteers who managed the lines were amazing, I tried to bring people hot chocolate who look annoyed waiting in the line up but the people who were there all day managing that traffic are the heroes, major high fives to you.
Leah Gregg of Union Gospel Mission was one of my partners on this project, she worked it with me on many fronts….so many that this will turn into a novel if I recognise them all, Leah You are incredible. Ian Sheh, Lead photographer insulated with the skills & intelligence of some of the most selfless men I have ever met, Arne Gulstene, Leigh Culpin, Mike Moore, Bernard Ng, Tony Mah,Steve Tan,Roger Hur & Peter Buxton are a force of nature devoted to the cause since this project birthed last year, going beyond the extra mile you are real men & I am pleased to say I know you. Our postage station was run by selfless souls as well as our Hot Chocolate Station ( Ricki, Dominic, Josh ). The outreach team certainly put a few miles on their shoes thanks to Mark & Mike because of you we were able to connect with more people in the community. Then there is all of our Artists & Musicians plus the 30 Photographers I have not mentioned. Sorin the Maintenance guy from Union Gospel Mission was the biggest help to me in terms of set up & street closure, he even drove out to Richmond to pick up all of our barricades & road closure signs last minute to clear my plate, he built us a stage, he organized the 7 am set up crews for me & was there himself to tear down.Alf the manager of 361 Heatley another selfless servant who went beyond the call and sang songs throughout the day while managing other areas. Special thanks to Josie at City Hall for all of your hard work on this/help.Thank you Jennifer at Blanche MacDonald Center Vancouver for sending me MUA/Hair girls for this event & really caring about the outcome.Ron Sombilon & his crew thank you thank you thank you, Ron you are a breath of fresh air, wish there was more like you but if that were true then I guess you wouldn’t stand out so much. Ian Sheh thanks for being my partner/friend/crisis line & everything guy you are like no other.Thank you to all of the Artists & Musicians for using your talents to bring joy to the DTES.Thanks PLBC Darlene that’s you, Thanks Major Don Grad at the Salvation Army for all the Postage/Cards.
By now I am probably sounding repetitive but this list could keep on going. The point is to give back & we all gave back in a selfless way. Help Portrait was a success all over the world thanks to the Founder Jeremy Cowart , you can click here to check out the main Help Portrait site http://help-portrait.com/ . I hope you can catch the vision & re-produce it in your city/town. I am so happy to bring it to the community that is close to my heart & have the opportunity to meet/work with so many amazing humans.You may have read that the next Help Portrait is happening on December 3rd 2011 so if you didn’t have a chance to be a part of it this year there is always 2011.
Lastly I want to talk to you about being a Volunteer on a regular basis in the DownTown East Side. Events are great but relationships are the key, we can’t build lasting relationships/community with those we don’t see on a regular basis so I want to encourage you to find an organization that has a mission you can come along side & be a visible long term presence in the DownTown East Side & get to know those in the community. Union Gospel Mission is always looking for help so if you want to connect with them you can click here for more info http://www.ugm.ca/take-action/volunteer . Thank you to my friends & prayer supporters Evan Powroznik,Victor Kumara that’s you, without you I would let my own doubts steal my visions away & no one would be able to play in them, I love you guys thanks for always believing in me.Here is a link to our Help Portrait Vancouver Site so you can keep in touchhttp://help-portrait-vancouver.blogspot.com/ or you can find us on facebook here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Portrait-Vancouver/171488509537363 & on twitter here http://twitter.com/hpvancouver
Thanks for reading
Love Steph
Community Coordinator/Organizer-Steph Forster With Lead Photographer - Ian Sheh
Thank You Video
November 11th 2010 – HELP PORTRAIT VANCOUVER – FOOD + TOY DRIVE
Help-Portrait Vancouver http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144070825637994
Help us collect nonperishable food items and brand new toys by becoming a drop-site for your community.
All items need to be collected and brought to the central collection site on December 1st, 2010. To drop items off before December 1st please email Stephanie at info@nehemiahvancity.com
Download the Media Kit to Become a Drop Site By Clicking here http://dl.dropbox.com/u/481498/HP_FoodToyDrive.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/v/kR-LJMnLsL8?fs=1&hl=en_US
Oct 12th/2010 – Help Portrait Vancouver Held On Dec 4th 2010
Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate this holiday season.
In brief, here are the details:
In unity we have created a dynamic environment to steward our artistic services to the low income single parent families & residents of the Down Town East Side of Vancouver. This has been made possible with support of other Not for Profit Organizations in the Down Town East Side Such as
The Nehemiah Arts Foundation Vancouver, Union Gospel Mission, The Salvation Army & the YWCA Vancouver. You can read about last year’s event here http://help-portrait-vancouver.blogspot.com/ or watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x7ZrUi-z9M
This years Help Portrait event will take place on Saturday December the 4th 2010 at the Union Gospel Mission ( UGM ) 616 E. Cordova St.Vancouver, BC in the Down Town East Side where over 20 + local photographers will be shooting 100+ families/individuals on December 4th with the help of our amazing volunteer team!
We will be providing onsite photo printing and also a postage station so the families are able to send the photos to their loved ones this holiday season at no cost to them. Last year we also provided complimentary hair & makeup services & we will be offering these services again this year. We want to encourage you to spread the word about this exciting movement or artists who are uniting globally on December 4th 2010 http://www.help-portrait.com/
If you are interested in volunteering for the event on Saturday December the 4th please contact Stephanie CEO & Founder of the Nehemiah Arts Foundation Vancouver (http://nehemiahvancity.com/)
at info@nehemiahvancity.com & she will send you a volunteer application
Volunteer Positions Available:
* Hair Stylists
* Makeup Artists
* Art Outreach/Performances- i.e. Musicians, Painters & Street Performers
* Security/Greeter
* Community Outreach
* General Volunteer
* Photographer
* Photography Assistant/Runner
If you are a photographer looking for more information and networking regarding this event please contact Head Photographer Ian Sheh at info@iansheh.com
–NOTE- We are only accepting Volunteer Photographers Until October 31st 2010
For any other inquiries or media requests please email info@nehemiahvancity.com
LINK TO FACE BOOK EVENT TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144070825637994
Sept 15th/2010-Tyler Wright Search Fundraiser
We are gathering together as friends of Tyler Wright, who plays a very important role in the Worship Invasion ministry, to help raise funds for the continuing private search for our Friend who has been missing in the forest for several weeks here in BC Canada. A number of musicians are coming together for this night of Praise and Worship on September 25th at Glad Tidings Church 3456 Fraser Street Vancouver, BC from 7:30 pm – 10pm
Please support the search for Ty www.findtyler.com
FaceBook Event – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151054991585312&ref=ts
Sept 3/2010- EVENT ALERT!
DTES – Skateboarding/Long Boarding FReE HUGz- FLaSH MOB!!!!!!!
Join The Nehemiah Vancity crew in the DTES ( Down Town East Side ) Saturday October 2nd at 3pm rain or shine to Sk8 Board or Long Board Flash Mob to hand out FREE HUGS to strangers!
BYOB – bring your own board !
If you need a board to ride email info@nehemiahvancity.com
with an email titled “DUDE I NEED A BOARD” and we will hook you up with a Free rental for the event..but you have to return it..hence the word RENT 
DISCLAIMER – you don’t have to be a rad Sk8er to join this Flash mob you just have to be willing to love on people in a non weird way!
NOTE – we will have signs offering hugs but we wont be giving hugs to those who have not asked only those who are interested in a nice hug.
Also if you are not down with Sk8boarding/Long Boarding but still want to come YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!! Ride at your own risk
ALL Ages!
We will meet B4 hand at the Carnegie Center at Main & Hastingshttp://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/carnegiecentre/ to brief you & make sure we are all on the same FLASH MOB page!
WARNING – there could be Graffiti outbreaks in legal areas so be prepared for that!
Email questions or awesome ideas to info@nehemiahvancity.com & we will get back to you!
Invite your friends on FaceBook here http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=156032941079926
Peace and Love!
Aug-26-2010
Back From China!
What a great time we had in China at Jackie Pullingers Inner Healing, Deliverance & Re-parenting training at her Ministry St Stephens Society in Hong Kong! We learned so much to impart to those here in Canada that we love and minister to.It was so great to be back at the YWAM base in China & see all of my friends there. For 3 years I have traveled/lived in South East Asia & trained with Jackie Pullingers Ministry in HK China to bring back templates from her Ministry to re-produce here in Vancouver BC Canada.
As you know I left Haiti and went to China right after so I am in the middle of unpacking my brain to get back into the groove here at the office and also creating in my Studio’s here in East Vancouver.
Two months of Global Travel inspires one to PAINT & also create outreach events for the Marginalized of East Van!
I have a few events up my sleeve that have been in the works & will be launched in October…but for now I will focus on updating Nehemiah’s Board of Directors with all of my fascinating new ideas and plans for the Ministry as well as Partnerships such as Young Life Atlanta and YWAM China! I am also in the process of developing a story board for www.stephprojecthaiti.com documentary footage from Haiti filmed in July to hand off to the editor!
We are so excited for the fall and what it has in store for us, we look forward to updating you as well as following you on facebook & Twitter! You can follow us on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vancouver-BC/The-Nehemiah-Foundation-Vancouver/139187171246?ref=ts or on Twitter @STEPHVANCITY and stay up to date with our latest Events by clicking here http://nehemiahvancity.com/events/
Here is a link to some photos from Asia
