Where dreams intersect

Several years ago, my husband Adrien was working in the corporate world as a software engineer. For a long time, he had worked for large and small software companies and enjoyed both the work and the camaraderie.... and the pay wasn't bad either.But some time about five years ago, he had a moment when staying with his engineering job was overshadowed by the desire to do something more creative, to return to his early interest in photography. And so he did. It has been an exciting journey of hard work and worry and determination.This past summer, he connected with the staff at UTEC with a proposal and a hope that he could explore creating portraits and a film documenting the UTEC program's young people.Capturing the hope and resilient spirit of youth who have had some tough breaks, but who are determined to break out of cycles of trauma generated from varied socio-economic factors, has been a journey of enlightenment. While we both were aware of UTEC's existence, I don't believe either of us knew the depth of this program's impact.These young people also have dreams and goals. How eloquent they are in the expression of where they have been and where they are going! I want my own elementary-age students - the ones who could easily take a misstep - to listen, to learn from you.Serendipity has put these young people, so determined to overcome challenges, and Adrien, determined to tap into something more, in each other's pathways.It is the place where dreams intersect.To see the images and the film, click on the following links:UTEC Portraits Video "Chipping Away"