SCVAN- How paying it forward paid me back.
My experience with working with SCVAN
I have had this amazing experience of bringing my team to South Carolina and working with an amazing Victim Advocate. We brought together a collection of beautiful photos to some incredible freaking people.
This is a project that has been close to my heart for a long time now. I have always said and always will say, “I do what I do because it touches my heart”. I love that when I leave a client’s house, I feel like I just won the damn lottery!
I hopefully just made her feel like a million bucks! To be able to do that with people, who really REALLY need it, is just a feeling that is hard to describe.
SCVAN is victim advocate non-profit organization. The people in these photos have been victims of horrific crimes. These crimes range from human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, horrific assault by a stranger and hate crimes.
The victim advocate for this association is Marie, who has now become a close friend of mind. Marie sat me down before we took photos and explained to me everyone’s story. These stories were heart breaking, mortifying and I resisted the urge to break down and choked back tears. I will not go into anyone’s story here because it’s not the right outlet, nor do I want to tell them incorrectly. But my heart ached, I wanted to leave and cry in bed. I wanted to watch romantic movies where the hero dies, eat Ben and Jerry’s for like the rest of my life, but then something so amazing happened!
One by one, my team and I met these people and their families!!
They were HAPPY! Some of these victims have had years between when I met them and their attack. The fact that they could over come some of the most horrific crimes I have ever heard of and sit in front of me joking and hugging their children, made me feel like I was in the presence of something so beyond myself. The people at SCVAN have really changed the lives for so many people. They’ve helped people become US Citizens, provided clothing and shelter and have helped parents be reunited with their children after 14 years! SCVAN has helped the voiceless fight their attackers in court, provided safety, hope and most importantly love and compassion.
You would think these people just do their jobs but they don’t! I have seen the way Mare looks at these victims. She looks at them like they’re family. Like a mother does her child, ‘harm these people and I will hunt you down’. I overheard one of the fathers call for his children and say, “ give me all of my beautiful babies, I want a photo with them”. I knew that there was no other way I would ever witness as much love in such a small place in my entire life.
I have been a victim of domestic violence and seeing how much hope there is and how much love there is, I felt as if I was healed by osmosis. This tiny building with florescent lighting and cracked paint filled with people I have never in my life met healed me.
This event was supposed to be about me helping others. In the end they ended up helping me.
So thank you to SCVAN and all these courageous people who touched my heart. Thank you Marie, for inviting me to your amazing tiny office filled with love and giving me this life changing experience. Finally, thank you to my team! My hair and make up stylist Jade and my assistant Lauren, whom I couldn’t have done it without you two!
If you have five dollars or anything to donate to this amazing non profit who really needs help please do so. Remember good always comes back.
https://npo.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=57-0813749
Xoxoxo Candra
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