Exposure Project

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, we can’t help but reflect on the magic of our recent Holiday Bake-Off Competition. This event was more than just a contest—it was a celebration of togetherness, creativity, and what “home” truly means. Watching families come together, collaborate, and create something special reminded us that the real magic lies in the journey, not just the final product. Here’s to the power of family and shared moments that make this season so beautiful!

It’s #GivingTuesday, and I couldn’t be more excited to share something that’s close to my heart—Exposure Project and their amazing work with middle and high school students. This new program they’re launching is an incredible opportunity for teens to dive into entrepreneurship, gain hands-on experience, and discover their passions. These students aren’t just learning about business—they’re building one, step by step. Exposure Project is creating a space where young people can dream big, get the skills they need, and build confidence for the future. I’m all in because I believe in their mission—and I know my network has the expertise, resources, and heart to make an even bigger impact. Here’s how you can get involved: ?? Donate: Your support will help us secure the final funding needed to purchase a food truck for these future entrepreneurs. https://bit.ly/3CH4g3w ?? Volunteer your time and skills: We’re looking for industry experts who can help guide the students through the process—whether you have experience in marketing, business, design, culinary arts, or anything in between, you can make a difference. https://bit.ly/49maYrL If you believe in empowering the next generation and want to be a part of something special, I encourage you to get involved. Let’s help these Game Changers build something they can be proud of—and set them on the path to success. Together, we can make magic happen. ? #GivingTuesday #YouthEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #CommunityImpact #FutureLeaders #ExposureProject #Mentorship

A little over a year ago, we started dreaming about a youth-led food truck business. The goal? To give our Exposure Project Game Changers real, hands-on experience while also creating a way to support our mission. We had no idea where the funding would come from or how it would all come together, but we decided to share the dream anyway. Fast forward to today, and I’m so excited to share that the Wild Gifting Project has awarded us $100,000 to help make this dream a reality! ?? This is huge for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful. The journey ahead is exciting. It’s crazy to think about what can happen when you just dream. Thank you to everyone who believes in us. The best is truly yet to come! #Gratitude #YouthEmpowerment #FoodTruckDream

Words from one of our Game Changers as she shares her thoughts on the play & Juliet. #ExposureTrip #Blumenthal #Arts

Let me just say, I genuinely love spending time with our kids. Once a new Game Changer joins Exposure Project, I let parents know right away that their kids are now OUR kids—and I don’t play when it comes to our kids! This past Sunday, we had the chance to see & Juliet. None of us knew exactly what to expect, but everyone was open to the experience. We were sooooo invested in the storyline—it was truly amazing! Our trips are about much more than just the main event. I may be exhausted by the end, but I enjoy every bit of it. From kids asking if they can come to our site early to hang out, to taking turns as van DJ, to talking about life and relationships over dinner, to watching some experience their first play and theater visit, to having a dance session outside the Blumenthal, and finishing the night with hide and seek at our site while waiting for parents—it was well worth a late school night!

The Story of the Bike Last week was the start of our program and during a conversation with one of our Game Changers, we were reminded of the ongoing challenge of transportation. Overall, transportation is a barrier for many of our participants to be in the program. Although our staff tries our best to personally pick up kids from some schools, it’s impossible to get everyone—and right now, that continues to be a struggle for us. (This would be a perfect opportunity for a generous donation of a 15-passenger van and a dedicated volunteer driver!) Back to the story—because transportation is such a barrier, we’re constantly thinking of ways our kids can still be a part of the program. One of our young people, who has been with us for the last three years, now has a two-hour journey to attend since his location site changed. His trip involves walking to a bus stop, catching the bus to the light rail, then transferring to another bus just to get to our program. We sat with him to help think through creative ways to lessen his commute. He mentioned having a bike, but it wasn’t working. We asked him to get some quotes for repairs, which he found a bit stressful, but he was able to provide them. We considered fixing the bike, but before doing so, we wanted to tap into our nonprofit network for resources. During this time, one of the nonprofit leaders, Glennis Davis MSN, RN, CPHN,CTIA , stepped up. Within 5 hours, she had reached out to her A Giving Heart Project, Inc. community and they were able to purchase a brand-new bike for this young man! We want to give a tremendous thank you to Glennis for her incredible heart and her willingness to step in without hesitation. To mention a need and have it met so quickly, without hesitation or restrictions, is the true essence of giving. Yesterday, we gave him the bike, and seeing his face light up was priceless. This bike is more than just a mode of transportation for him—it will also ease the burden in his personal life as a caregiver for his parent. It’s incredible how something so seemingly small can make such a significant impact. This is what community looks like.

As many of you know, we're actively raising funds for our Youth-Led food truck business at Exposure Project. The number one question we get is:?Is this real or just a project? Well, I'm excited to provide the answer. You can see for yourself in the video below! P.S.?While this dream has been brewing for a few years, everything you see in the video happened in just two weeks! https://lnkd.in/eceKjdbH

Our Birthday Campaign has officially come to a close! I know I left you hanging with my journey, as there were so many more stories I wanted to share. As I mentioned in my last post, I promised to share only when it felt right, and that journey will continue. But for now, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you. Whether you donated, shared our information, or simply kept us in your thoughts, I am deeply grateful. A special thank you to all the attendees of our Exposure Project Rose Brunch! This year, we wanted to create an experience rather than just speak. We hoped each of you would feel like Game Changers for the day, and I believe we accomplished that. From asking questions upon arrival to participating in our Industry Experts Shadowing and character development sessions around understanding your values—you all showed up in an incredible way. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now, it’s time for us to continue moving forward and doing the work.

Truliant Federal Credit Union had a wonderful time at the Exposure Project Rose Brunch this past Sunday! It was inspiring to learn about all the amazing initiatives they have planned for 2025 and beyond. A big thank you to Leanna Calvin, LCSW for the invitation and for sharing your vision with us. We're excited to see all the great work to come! #TruCommunity #CommunityEngagement #TheExposureProject #TruliantCares #LookingAhead