Let's be super clear about this: the momentum you see in our community, the relationships we've forged and the work we do to safeguard each other, it's unstoppable. Care, kinship and community will win the day.
I'm proud to have produced a series of videos in support of the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP), working in collaboration with the wonderful Northwest Health Foundation.
WomenFirst in Portland is one of the organizations that has benefitted from this $10 million state-funded program. Their mission is to provide a nurturing environment so women can rebuild their lives and self-worth, and to bring out the hidden talents in women by building their leadership and life skills in order to help them find joy and success.
The video project required a delicate approach — not just documenting services, but honoring the journeys of those involved. We focused on strength rather than struggle, capturing the determination, supportive community, and moments of breakthrough that define this community work.
What makes this project unique was the collaborative process. Rather than imposing an external narrative, I spent time building trust with participants, understanding their stories, and ensuring they felt ownership over how they were represented. This relationship-centered approach resulted in footage that feels intimate and truthful rather than performative.
JREP supports culturally specific orgs and responsive services in communities most harmed and least helped by Oregon’s criminal legal system.
The resulting videos are fundraising tools, community education resources, and powerful affirmations for the young women themselves. Seeing their own strength reflected back to them becomes part of the healing journey, a visual reminder of how far they've come.
What I know for sure is that we'll never give up on each other, or stop leading with compassion.
Video Production that's Embedded in the Community
