'the Carissa Project:' (Documentary to hit SUNDANCE) Fresno Girl (raised in hell: grew up to get a Masters in Biz/Law.)
Submitted by Out of the Void on Sat, 08/25/2007 - 21:57.
(Reprint from MindHerd)
Hubbers:
While we're going on endlessly about rivers, downtown, the mall, (etc. etc.)
---all very telling conversations, all quite interesting, (yes, they are.)
-I happened to be at Marcel's this afternoon, (waiting on a meeting/BBQ,
-a local rogue festival was being discussed (minutes taken... here-here...)
So I'm just sitting there minding my p's and q's and he says:
'...I gotta go take a shower, I want you to see this,
I just heard about it, this is going to Sundance...'
(Here's the homepage for the project, film, blogs, etc.)
http://www.carissaproject.com/?page=home
(Marcel and I are both veterans of working with 'at risk,' populations, and
kids who are troubled.)
Suddenly I'm sitting there looking at the homepage,
-seeing this stunning young woman, then watching the trailer and sections
of the film focussing on her life.
The film is by David Sauvage,(they were both students at UCLA.)
Carissa Phelps, (the subject of the film,)
just graduated with her Masters from UCLA in Law and Biz.
(not too shabby.)
Carissa Phelps was also was dropped off unceremoniously in the lobby of a
Juvi-Hall at the age of 12,
-abandoned by her parent (who simply said 'I'm leaving my daughter with you
people,' -and left.)
She's had an extremely difficult life, (including being a prostitute from
(at least,) the age of 13, and time served for stealing a car, (again, as a
juvenile.)
(PS: Her mom is in the film as well.
-So's her former pimp.)
Why do you care?
She's a Fresno Girl.
This is about her life in Fresno.
Now,
I know already that a number of people are going to be turned off by the
subject matter.
I also know that there is this ongoing relationship with Fresno and the rest
of California,
-and Fresno with the Rest of the World
(and parts of Fresno with other parts of Fresno.)
---And we're all worked up and worried about what folks think of us,
downtown, etc... and such...
Deal with yourselves:
Brace yourselves:
This, is an excellent documentary about a young woman who:
-by all acounts?
should NOT have even made it to her sweet 16th, alive.
-And had she not?
-Most folks in Fresno wouldn't have even known, -nor cared.
Yet,
through some incredible efforts of people 'in the system,' who cared for
her, not to mention the effort and heart of the young woman herself?
She has turned completely around.
One of the quotes that really hit it for me:
(and I just saw the mini-film about the film,) was:
'...Everybody likes a story about a girl from the mean streets who turns her
life around, --this one however, is true...'
It's really true.
You are not going to like what you're going to see.
You are not going to like what this woman (starting from childhood,) went
through.
If you do like it?
There is something very-very wrong with you.
It will not sit well with you.
You will feel very good about some aspects,
-but very bad about others,
(that is until the feelings go away.)
What I (personally,) happen to think of this film (that I've seen so far?)
With this constant spectre of:
1. 'what is everybody going to think of us? (Fresno,) that seems to dictate
everything done in town, -right down to ordering a pizza?
2. The rather public answer to the problems of Fresno being:
'...There ARE no problems, (we'll just create a new Fresno further north)
--where things are good.
3. Insisting: 'there's not life downtown / we need to revitalize and
redesign it to bring (the good, the monied) people back?
-When, in fact?
Life exists.
-It's just not white, -it may be very troubled, -it may be barely making it,
-it's just not part of the 'new,' Fresno 'deliniated: 'life North of
Hearndon.')
This is a real film about a girl from the area.
And it ain't 'Pretty Woman.'
(Though she is quite beautiful.)
I personally?
In the face of a project such as this, and my own experience in working with
'at risk,' youth?
Couldn't care less what neighborhood is 'better,' or 'worse,'
-I'll leave your definition of 'nice place to live,' to your realitors,
developers, and community boards.
-Having worked with kids from (both) homes that have mancured lawns?,
-as well as those who had to sleep nightly in a playground, (where the dirt
itself was toxic?)
---I understand that both poor and rich can come up in 'hellholes,'
(Street Address does not dictate a decent or human environment at home.)
Blowing past ALL of that, and into the real truth? Is this film:
In this (current,) Fresno:
-There are kids who live in poverty,
-There are kids who are underraged prostitutes,
-There are people who sell them, (her former pimp is also interviewed, as
well as (I think,) former 'street-walkers,')
-There are people who buy them,
-For the most part? not many people really care.
-There are embarrisingly few and thin programs,
these programs are constantly at risk, and, even in the documentary, Carissa
comments, '...when I was coming into this program, it was going from
'cells,' to dorm rooms, -and now it's going back to cells,' (barracks and
cells.)
(She is one of only 3 females, allowed into the program, -the rest in the
program were male.
The BAD part to this?
This is a real side of Fresno that STILL exists
-that a lot of people either don't want to deal with,
-don't know about,
-and sure as hell don't want it to be discussed, (let alone become the chief
issue and a significant entrant in the Sundance Film Festival.)
-So, yeah, Fresno?
-part of what you don't want to be seen,' -is about to be shown.
(And she's a very Fresno Girl.)
The GOOD part?
-A stunningly beautiful and intelligent young woman (I think she's mixed
race, I believe she is part latina, and has strong Nat. American accents in
her facial structure, not sure, actually...)
-Goes from being a 13 year old prostitute
-to graduate from UCLA school of Biz/Law,
(And she's a very Fresno Girl.)
Hence?
A lot of people are going to want to see this film, because it's important
and it documents a (still) pertainant life and lifestyle --and somebody
comes out 'good in the end.'
And:
A lot of people are going to want to NOT see the film,
-probably ignore it,
and (worse,) Aren't going to want it shown
-(because it documents a STILL relevant life and livestyle,
---and whether somebody comes out 'good,' in the end (or not)
is NOT the issue for them,
---it's going to be:
'...we don't HAVE that problem in Fresno, we don't TALK about that issue in
Fresno
And besides, --that's not 'our,' Fresno,
that's Downtown... -with THOSE people.'
MORE BAD PART?
For every 'Carissa,' in Fresno (or Clovis, or: -pick an area,)
There are hundreds if not thousands who do NOT end up like this,
-who do NOT make it past age 13, (or if they do?, wish that they hadn't.)
-and anyone who has lived life for a while?
Understands that kids in general can be at severe risk, (-not just the
pretty ones.)
-There is no such thing as: 'those people,'
(or) 'those who are affected? 'have earned their own hell / karma / have
Jesus to look after them...'
-That there is no permissable excuse in this town nor the world, where
'...that's just how it goes for folks down on that side of the tracks.'
(-This can be anyone, -and that it already IS a LOT of folks in this area.)
There is a lot of talk about the 'history of Fresno,'
the 'beautification of Fresno,'
'documenting the Fresno Life,'
or
'what is Authentic Fresno.'
(...All noble pursuits and issues... -and that's all great.)
But:
Here's a young woman who was paid to be abused, in motels and areas that are
still in operation,
-(as a minor,)
-as recently as ten? fifteen? years ago,
-Who says that she: '...came back here really wanting to see things having
changed for the better, -but how she sees 'same,' or 'worse...'
I haven't seen the whole thing. But I am looking forward to it.
My gut on the issue, and how the town will receive it?
Three responses:
1. -People will be deeply stirred and want to see this really understood and
dealt with, (IE: helping these kids, REALLY helping and addressing the
problem.)
2. -Ignoring it: Saying 'it's just another black eye on Fresno,' -and trying
to find some way to discredit the situation, compartmentalize it, (thereby
making it 'not such a big deal.')
3. -Conversation: controversy, endless talk about it, a few good ideas and
strong opinion?
and then:
nothing changes, nothing happens.
Either way?
This is a film that needs to be seen, that needs to be understood,
-and needs to bring on significant change.
(...I'm not going to say '...but it probably won't,' --but I'm going to
think it.)
And I'm going to pray, really hard, that it will serve as a catalyst, and
help raise awareness, and galvanize (not just,) the plight of this young
woman, but of everybody similarly effected,
-most of which will never read these lines,
-may never be near a computer,
-who I don't even know,
and never will.
(And Carissa?
Just in case you read MindHub?
Nice going, sweetheart.
You've done amazing things, and may you continue to do so.
(I'd like so much to think that some of the girls, ANY of the ones I used to
take care of, in foster care settings, special schools, drop in centers,
(etc,) would've come out half as great as you have.
(I know some did okay, I know a lot didn't.)
Thanks for letting them make this film about your life.
That took mad huge guts.
(thanks as well to the filmmaker,)
-and please know that I'm praying for both you and your mom.)
-If we are an artistic community that cares not just about 'creativity,'
-but if we care about others and life in Fresno at all?
We may not just need to SEE this film, but earnestly support it, and address
the issues it brings up.
(If we care.)
-Eric Field
»
Um......
ever hear of a lawyer? Cause posting anonymously on a public forum ain't gonna do jack. Unless you are just looking for attention which is my guess.
Carissa when is all this madness gonna stop
So your going all around the world showing this film . Its all a horrific lie your tellin plus you got me and my minor son in this film agaist our will . We dont want to be in this film we donot even know you at all . david savage and you have no right to do this to us you are miss leading the public that is a shame and your all over the world all out the country tellin lies your not even helpin no one but yourself and david savage your pocketing all the money for your self you dont even know me or my son peolpe please dont beleive this lady its all a lie. Thats why david savage offerd me 1200 dollars to keep quiet and not let the public know the truth .
re: thread active...
...welp,,, honestly wysper?
I havn't been on FF in ages, and really have heard very little about this project past the (very initial) comments made in response to my posting it up in... ermmm.. what... a year and a half ago?
I had touched base with the subject of the film, (or tried to a couple of times, as we were (very slightly) in the same circles, and I felt the issue to be prevalent.)
Never heard back from her, though, and the odd times I've poked my nose into her blog, it seems like she's doing okay...
As for the issue of prostitutes hanging out in the areas she speaks of:
-I do know that you'll still find them below Ashlan on Blackstone for a few blocks, just roaming at all hours of the day and night...
So, I'd guess for the majority of this, it's kind of situation: normal.
I'm glad the subject of the film made it out and glad she has a happy life, (apparently) again, just don't know...
Have wondered from time to time, to be honest, but that's the way it goes.
Best
Eric
Why is this tread still active?
CARISSA WHATS YOUR WHOLE MOTIVE
Lady I want to know why are you doeing this to me and my minor son this is all uncaused for you know this is all a flat out lie .Me nor my son do not know you at all we have never even met you yet and still the person who done all this and confessed on tv you took him out cause you want to blame me and i have never in my life met you .The movie you made you commited fraud by putin me and my son in this horrific film I never agreed nor do you have concent to do this to me and my son yet you go around the world showing this fabucated film to the world for a fee profiting off of me and my minor son we did not recieve one penny from this only you and david savage oh you people or rich all your bills paid in full . You david savage should be ashamed of your self for doing this to us.You know this is agaist the law your acuising me of something I never done I never been convicted of this yet and still y
CARISSA WHATS YOUR WHOLE MOTIVE
Lady I want to know why are you doeing this to me and my minor son this is all uncaused for you know this is all a flat out lie .Me nor my son do not know you at all we have never even met you yet and still the person who done all this and confessed on tv you took him out cause you want to blame me and i have never in my life met you .The movie you made you commited fraud by putin me and my son in this horrific film I never agreed nor do you have concent to do this to me and my son yet you go around the world showing this fabucated film to the world for a fee profiting off of me and my minor son we did not recieve one penny from this only you and david savage oh you people or rich all your bills paid in full . You david savage should be ashamed of your self for doing this to us.You know this is agaist the law your acuising me of something I never done I never been convicted of this yet and still y
carissa phelps is marketing me and my son
Look lady your only showing this film for finace gain to make money you is not a lawyer. you donot know me at all nor do you know my 12year old son you do not have concent to have me nor my son in this film so why do you do this to us I never in my life time gave you permission to do this to us why do you go out and show people this fabucated film this is agaist the law. times are very hard now . Your only doing this to pay your bills white collar crime thats what this is you and david know this film is fabucated thats why david savage said he would give me 1200 dollars to go along with this fabucated film .
i AM GONNA SUE
jUST AS SOON AS I GET ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY A LAWYER .
pEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE SO QUICK A LIE
dO YOU KNOW ME TO SAY IM ON DRUGS NO YOU DONT FIRST OF ALL ALL MY RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED HOW CAN ANYONE IN THIS WORLD ACUSE SOMEONE OF SOMETHING GET NO CONVICTIN JUST ALL HERESAY MAKE A FILM SELL IT JUST TO PAY THERE BILLS I DID NOT GIVE DAVID SAVAGE PERMISSION TO PUT ME AND MY SON IN THIS FILM POINT BLANK cARISSA HAS NO RIGHT TO DO THIS TO US MY LIFE AND MY SON LIFE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HERS .now she showing this film all over the world and dont even have a release from me to do this this . I never signed no papers nor did I give written or verbal concent and both david savge and carissa phelps no this thats why david savage said he would give me 1200 dollars to go along with this horrific fabucated lie people its all a lie for them to make a money and people do not give carissa money she is tryin very hard to get rich off me and my son.About a childhood that she says happen 20 years ago and no im not on drugs im just speakin out about this film . This is all a scam for them to make money My son is a minor any time a adult film a kid they are suppose to get a releasefrom the parent that is the law and carissa and david know this .I have never in my life even met this lady . There is to side to each story but most people are so quick to believe a lie .
What you be smokin Famous Guest?
Who are you?
You sound druggeded up.
LOL
If video is a l;ie why don't you sue?
Maybe because they'd have to bring up your criminal record and your son's criminal record in court?
Why are you tellin this big lies to the public
I dont why you wanna use me and my son in your film and you are sellin it for your gane Just tell me how are you helpin kids when you are only talkin about sex thout out the whole film own up to your own mistakes I had not nothin to do with your child hood at all nor did my son but you sent jounalist secretly to my private house lerkin for a lie to tell you say you were 12 why wait 20 years tp acuse me of takin you to the west side sellin you for crack lady this is nonsence you say your mom put you out why didny you stay at home like a normal 12 year its only obvious you wre a problem child now you want to hollar every body failed you you didnt want to stay at home you wanted to act like a adult you chose the life you lived but me and my son had nothin to do with it you were 12 on the streets on drugs also by the way did you ever get drug treatment .yes or no and also why did you try and make the police in fresno look so bad when they did there job to the fullest . If the police seen you on the streets at 12 they would have contacted your parents not let you walk up and down the streets you are a horific lier you made this film to profit only people please dont believe this lady and by the way did you get a release from every last one of the parents of the juveniles in the film cause you sure didnt get a release from me writen or verbal nothin people what if this lady or someone done this to you and your son ?
pEOPLE DONT BE FOOLED BY THIS WOMAN STORY THIS IS A LIE PUT TOGETHER BY CARISSA PHELPS AND DAVID SAVAGE THESE PEOPLE DESPERTLY PUT ME AND MY SON IN THERE FILM WITH NO WRITTEN CONCENT i DID NOT AGREE FOR ME AND MY SON TO BE PUT IN THIS LIE THEY ARE TELLIN NO RELEASE WAS NOT SIGNEDTHIS IS ALL AGAIST THE LAW . aT THIS TIME i AM SEEKIN DONATIONS FOR A LAWYER ON ME AND MY SON BEHALF FOR THESE PEOPLE HOW DAIR YOU PEOPLE FILM ME AND MY SON AGAIST OUR WILL
THIS STORY IS SO FABUCATED Carissa why do you have me and my son in your film do you realize my son is tramatized behind this . We donot even know you and dont want to know you We want nothing to do with this horrific film YOU DO NOT HAVE CONCENT TO DO THIS TO US THAT IS WHY DAVID SAVAGE THE FILMMAKER TOLD ME HE WILL GIVE ME 1200 DOLLARS NOT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE HORRIFIC LIE TO THE PUBLIC YOU HAVE LOTS OF NERVE TO WAIT 20 YEARS THEN COME BACK TO FRESNO AND SAY i HAD YOU ON THE STREETS AND TOOK YOU TO THE WEST SIDE AND SOLD YOU FOR CRACK LADY YOU HAVE THE WRONG PERSON
Though I have a lot of feelings about sprawl...
there are lots of others who have even stronger opinions and I'll let that be their guitar string to play.
What I'm wondering about is:
The Carissa Project (which is what this string was started on,)
--and how it's doing, how the effort to end the child prostitution and prostitution in Fresno (in general) is going.
I think the issues of Riverpark not being as safe as everybody says it is, is kind of old news (there was a bit of a kerfuffel about it back when they had the curfew idea...)
So, yeah, if there are people up there looking to pick minors for perverse endeavours,
--lock 'em up, and make it a public cause so that folks don't all freak out and start crying 'rights violation,' when the owners of the mall asks that the kids be chaperoned by the parents...
It's an old subject, but perhaps one that will finally be dealt with as something other than fodder for 60's types who want to protest everything under the sun.
I think if this sort of thing is happening, in this age of the phone-cam, somebody should be capturing it, and it should be posting on UTube any minute now.
All the merrier if the problem ceases altogether.
I am wondering as to the outcome of this film, if it made sundance, how Fresno is handling it, (etc.)
I believe it was shown to the city council or something?
You cant even see the river.
the river's about 3 miles away, its just a name, a marketing ploy
slow down there a bit, Fresno ain't the problem, the problem is the movers & shakers only move in incestuous circles (when's the last time you rubbed shoulders with Alan Autry, Cliff Tutelian, Ed Kashian, Sharon Levy, the Coomes, Jensens, Smittcamps & all the rest?), you make due with where you're planted, change it for the better if you can, this was a desert, set in a marsh (Tulare Lake, vernal pools), that got canal'ed for ag, this city should have stayed a small farm town, but like me, 100's of thousands of people came by, said it looked like home & settled here, I've met people from NY City, NY state, Philly, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas, LA-LA Land, Bay Area, living here, then there's immigrants from 120 diff countries.
when Armenians, Hmong & Mexicans all say the same thing, it must be true
having lived in LA-LA Land for 21 years; in 3 parts of the eastside & 4 suburbs, I don't want BH here, or any other part of L.A., it took going to FSU to live in a place I could call home & then see that, yes, "L.A. is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there"
who wants wall to wall city, traffic jams, 3.8 million people, its bad enough Fresno swallowed Pinedale, Calwa, Malaga, & a host of smaller villages, like Lone Star, West Park, Biola Junction, Herndon, Sunnyside, Muscatel, etc...
if Clovis didn't have a good school system, & quick annexers, it too would have been "fresnosized" or at least surrounded like the Fig Garden county island
Great Post
We call it River Pork with an "O" because of how snooty and fake it is.
But I like your interpetation.
It fits.
Your not "cool" or "high society" if you dont hang out or shop "The stores at River Pork".
You cant even see the river.
Call it what you want its still Fresno.
It will never be Beverly Hills.
A pig in a silk dress with make up is still a pig.
But in Fresno they'd give it a snooty name like Le Swine de Rouge de Northpointe`
Merci`
3 meanings of "kids at River Pork"
"triple entendre", I'm thinking you meant to spell park that way, clever
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_entendre
1) in a fake elegant setting (I hear it use to be a land-fill, thus a pig-sty)
2) kids having sex (to pork someone)
3) with fat old men (thats obvious, oink, oink)
this implies that the kids are the ones that are making the 1st moves, is that what you meant?
sad tale of society at the frayed edges, where the ends justify the means, parents not raising their kids, kids making adult decisions before they are ready to take responsibility for their actions, adults taking advantage of kids & the money & time that they can lavish on desperate teens
sounds like the vampires come out at night, good name for a movie, a sequel to Star Wars or Blade
"Show the Dark Side"
"The Dark Side of River Park"
"River Park after Dark"
I have reported it to the Mall and the police
Im sure Kashian doesn't want any negitive publicity for River Pork.
I reported it to Council Dwarf Coffee Calhoun's and Dwarf Duncan's offices.
I also reported it to the "HB" that two of his "HF's" hang out there and are known for chasing teen boys.
"what's the issue here, missing dads so much in their lives, that they'll do anything for love & attention?"
Thats exactly what it is in most cases.
They lack dads love and attention and know they can use old guys that will pay and spend time with them.
How about a video of these kids at River Pork
showing them hanging out and picking up old guys.
Follow them as the old guys buy beer.
Then confront them.
Then interview the kids and tell the kids story.
Show the Dark side of River Park after Dark.
then report this to the police
you see this happening, get your camera phone working
zoom it to police
if your a kid, man get your "yuk factor" on, tell your friends how gross it is to have sex with old pervs just for beer. what's the issue here, missing dads so much in their lives, that they'll do anything for love & attention?
if your an adult, then step up to the plate, tell police to set up sting, or report to Mall management, remember that they wanted to close Mall to "abandoned" tweens, this will give them ammo for the cause
This stuff still happens daily in Fresno
You have teenagers mainly boys and a few girls that hang out at River Park on Friday and Saturday nights. Especially when schools out looking for older guys to get them beer and drugs in exchange for sex. These teens know what they are doing and the old pervets use them.
Why hsn't the police sent under cover minors out to do a sting?
This a real shame you would me and my son in something we know nothin about. You should be ashamed of yourself.REAL FAKE FICTION FILM
Very real
This is very real. It's sad that most people ignore these issues and pretend they dont exist and tend to want to live in their little bubble.
Dear Carissa
thanks for that note.
It's okay that it's personal here on Fresno Famous... (I'm an old performance artist at heart, and don't mind public honesty...)
Marcel was quite passionate about this film, (it was at his place that he showed me the vignette.)
I thought you may want to know this as well:
A local woman, (pretty well heeled, pretty involved in her church, does okay for herself, pretty respectable type,) who happens to read my stuff on Mindhub
(poor thing, I hope she packs a lunch,)
-Wrote me this evening and said that your film really struck a chord,
-and that (also,) in her Church that they had started up a group or ministry of sorts in efforts to help out people who had been through situations similar to those we're familiar with, -and what you talk about so honestly in the film.
-She (the woman,) thought that perhaps it would have been a group that would have been kind of cooly recieved, (as you know, this is kind of a conservative town and environment, -not a lot of hearts on sleeves...)
-The pastor's wife was absolutely stoked about the ministry, -and about the opportunity for folks to be able to deal with these things, ----and it has been met with great support.
---(The woman read my posting on MindHub about the film, and thought it was excellent, ---and that these subjects needed to be really voiced, cared for, healed, addressed, -whole nine.)
Times like this? I hate the english language.
because use of the word 'subject,' just takes the personal truth out of it, and makes it clinical.
-that these 'people,' that these 'persons,' these girls, these boys, these individuals, -these 'us,' these 'me,' and 'you,' --finally would be heard, in their own voices, speaking truths, -maybe for the first time, ever, -and finally airing the wound, and healing.
Reclaiming their lives and their dignity.
(It's a big thing with me... big thing.)
Regarding your Mom?
Please understand that the comment about her giving you up at an early age, -was not meant as a slam towards her.
(I found it really warming that she's in the film with you.)
I'm sure she would have wanted different.
I'm sure she felt boxed in, and that there was no other choice.
What's nice about it?
You and she are still (obviously,) close, -and are as close as you can be.
(It takes time, but some things are just 'there,' ya know? it goes deeper than the DNA... and I'm glad that the two of you can still be in each other's lives.)
Overall?
Fresno is not my town.
(I'm a transplanted newyorker... I came here for only one reason, and that didn't last more than three weeks... pretty much two years ago, (to the day,) that all fell apart.)
But I'm still here.
I've always deeply love people.
I've been a sucker for them in general since a baby.
And I often see and experience so much of Fresno, and it's quite overwhelming, (a lot of pray about, a lot to yell about, a lot to cry about, ---and a lot of good too.)
Being a large, rather direct, white guy in his mid forties? It gets interesting sometimes.
(...once I actually freaked out my attorney, I didn't even know it was possible TO freak out an attorney...)
But, in all this?
I often, as I've gotten older just find myself like some old prophet,
walking up to the altar,
laying out this picture of what is going on and saying to God
'...I'm not gonna say anything, but this is what is happening, I just thought you should know, -whatever you want me to do, okay,,, I just wanted you to know...'
(There was an old priest in the Old Testament who did this, actually... smart guy.)
I saw the sections of your film, and everything ignited, was opened, was stomped, and acknowledged at once.
-This is what is needed.
Reality is always what is needed.
And for every girl, -every kid, (guy or girl,) who sees this thing, -and realizes that there is life past what they are currently in? (and that somebody has made it?)
-That's hope.
Without putting you on a pedestal, or 'hyping' -I really think that this work is going to change a lot of lives, (seriously.)
Personally, I hate to say it, but I've forgotten a lot of the names of so many of the kids I've worked with through the years who have come up through so much (it's been over twenty years, and probably hundreds of situations.)
I've just given up on 'formal prayer,' anymore, if I remember a situation, a face, anything, I just ask God to be with them, and hold them close...
(It's funny, how life after a while removes so much formality.)
I also spend more time listening than telling Him what I want...
I realize that the pressure on you may be pretty severe, in terms of the film.
You have my prayers (as well as your mom, those in the film, and the filmmaker.)
The exposure is going to be a bit wild, I can assure you.
Remember these things:
-Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.
-God is always mindful of us, because He knows that we are but dust.
-We are only starting to comprehend the love of the one who has apprehended us fully,(and who will not let us go, ever.)
-And that all who are found in Christ, are not just friends, but brothers and sisters, adored and washed clean, but Christ, -and seen as equal children by God Himself, -and loved (perhaps,) even more.
-And though you walk through the valley of the shadow of (anything,) God is with you, -and His Spirit goes ahead of you, along side, and behind you, always, (as well as resides within.
-That there is not a hair that falls from your head, that God is not aware of, -and that his thoughts for you are like the stars.
-And, as the Psalmist has said. Every tear he has saved in a bottle, -and written them down in his book.
(...the rest of Fresno Famous land can find the references to those verses if they'd like..
(I'll look them up for you if you want... right now, I'm kinda bushed...)
Thanks for writing me your note, Carissa.
Thanks for doing this film.
Sweet dreams, sweetheart, (your mom, friends, other loved ones too.)
Eric L. Field
a very personal response
Hi Eric Field,
Thanks for viewing the footage. (I hope you get this b/c it's not posted to MindHub.)
Wanted to say thanks for your support and the post. Great point that it is a 1 in 3 chance that something will get done about the problem. Not the best odds, so it's a good thing I like to beat odds!
My bet is that Fresno has quite a few residents who are ready to unlock their own potential. My hope, ever since I was a little girl roaming the streets, was that the grown ups just didn't know where I was. In my young mind all they needed was some direction!
Now I'll show them where the kids are and have faith that they will do the rest.
Please keep the prayers going! We submit the film to Sundance this week. If we're in it will mean a wider audience faster. If we're not I have to believe that we'll hit an even wider audience and maybe even faster!!!
On a very personal note, thanks for mentioning my mom. I know she cares and wishes things could have just been different.
Grateful for the support and thoughts,
Carissa, Fresno's daughter!
Looks interesting...
Kinda weird (in a good way) how these types of documentaries start to show up as Fresno grows into itself.
I've noticed all types of new things in Fresno, that didn't use to happen in our "small city".
This film is one of them. I look forward to seeing it.
~Rell www.myspace.com/559rell www.myspace.com/trellthareallamane (music production)
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