Operation Community Capture

OPERATION COMMUNITY CAPTURE
Interview with Janicka Rouse by Morgan McDole

Photos_ Southeast Dept. of Photographic Studies- Students/ Volunteers

Lundy_Calm in the Storm
Photo_Tyson Robertson

Before the Christmas rush happens at department stores, it breaks out at colleges around the nation, like the students enrolled at the Southeast Department of Photographic Studies (part of Daytona State College).  Whether busy applying final touches to their semesters worth of work, mounting for portfolio night, or using the benefits of the print lab for their family's Christmas presents, chaos is welcomed with a peace in knowing that relief is inevitable when the college closes its doors for the holiday break.  Although, for Photography student, Janicka Rouse, this season brought additional tasks to fill her plate.  She was making sure that families at the Salvation Army had something to look forward to on Christmas morning.  The interview about her Operation Community Capture follows.

"If you pay attention life gives you a chance to give back." ~Janicka Rouse

Morgan McDole: Talk a little about the project you were doing on Saturday, and how it came about.

Janicka Rouse: Saturday was titled Operation Community Capture which is basically going to become the umbrella name that all other volunteer events I put together will fall under. The original idea for Saturday came about early in the semester as Professor Vandusen spoke to us about the power of photographs. He specifically noted a project where photographers had taken unique portraits of foster children that captured their individual character, versus what a typical head shot would convey to a prospective foster parent. The end result being more children placed in homes. The assumption being that the portraits brought out qualities about each child that would not otherwise have been noticed. I wanted to bring that experience to families who otherwise would not be able to have those moments captured. The families being brought in for this day are on deeply personal journeys at this point in their lives and would not otherwise be able to share in a private studio portrait session with their families. Many only see their loved ones one day a week and holidays. It is my hope that the portraits taken on Saturday will truly be making this holiday special for many years to come, and that they can refer back to these family portraits for inspiration, hope, and reflection.

MM: How many families did you shoot? How did you choose which families to shoot?

JR: At final count we actually shot 13 families, but were scheduled to shoot 15. We wanted to do so many more but time and resources just would not allow. I knew I wanted the families involved to have a desire and need for family portraits as well as have the experience of coming to the studios and making that time with their families memorable. Maureen Chidavaenzi recommended I contact Captain Karla Perez of the Salvation Army, since they already had a process in place for providing for families in need. Captain Perez was as excited as I was to provide families with portraits and immediately had names in mind. We were especially excited to add these prints to the families' Christmas baskets for Christmas day.

_Sisters hanging out.

MM: Name some people who helped you pull this off, and their role.
JR: If I only name a few I will feel horrible for leaving someone out! How about I just list the volunteers?... First to volunteer and offer to help was Kenny Glass, Duane Rodriguez, Jenna Michaels, Tyson Robertson, Patricia Woods and Amber Plutowski. From planning to execution those guys were there. Of course without the rest of the team of volunteers like Roger Linke, Jared Siegel and Lukus Harden, Nancy Boudreau, Becky Zackary, and Molly Coffin the day would not have gone as smoothly as it did. Then there were the donations from Sorrentos Italian Restaurant, Jeanne Fish, and even the stockroom! You were even there to help! Add to all of that, the support of Dan Biferie and all of the professors. How can I name just a few? It was truly a team effort all the way around with everyone doing what they could when they could, which is what I appreciate most. This may have been one person's idea, but there was a team behind the day and memories these families will always carry with them.

Above L: Tyson Robertson takes time out to teach D.J. a survival skill (shoe tying)
Above R: Tyson in session

MM: Who pays for the prints?
JR: Speedway was kind enough to offer a significant discount to help with the printing costs. Originally, I was seeking a donation to cover the costs of printing but was unable to find one. Just when I thought I would personally cover the costs, the Pastor of The Salvation Army offered. She called at the end of Saturday's sessions and said with all I had provided and already paid for she felt I had done enough. This touched me. I just figured I had committed to this cause and would see it through.

MM: What semester Photography student are you?
JR: I am headed into my fourth semester.

MM: How did this photo shoot differ from past projects you've done this semester?
JR: Well some differences would be this wasn't for a school assignment, my portfolio, or a paid assignment. And, I only shot one family! The volunteer photographers had everything under control. Though, the biggest difference for me was feeling as if we were truly doing something special for others. Using our skills to give back.

MM: Did you have a favorite family portrait?
JR: I did actually. It is a moment so spontaneous you can not help but smile when you look at it. Three sisters are sharing a laugh and Molly, the photographer for this family, caught it. There is another of a young boy pretending to meditate while a pose is being organized around him, Tyson Robertson happened to catch that one.

MM: Seeing families who are struggling economically, did this rub you in any way?
JR: Growing up in Baltimore, raised by a single mom whose biggest determination is to keep her family together and beat the odds, I believe makes me sensitive to the plight of struggling economically but also reminds me to never give up. Witnessing families who try so hard to survive and stick together through the toughest of life's circumstances, and then being apart of a family that did so, gives me hope that there are others who can benefit from my experiences. If you pay attention life gives you a chance to give back. I plan to take that chance every opportunity I get.

MM: What are you doing for Christmas?
JR: I will be spending Christmas with my family. This year is extra special because we will all be together at home. Last year my baby sister was born two months early, so Christmas was spent in Orlando by her side because she was not allowed to leave her incubator. This year she is a healthy one-year old, running around and reaching for anything she can get her little hands on. We are a little worried about her and the tree. Also, my Great-grandmother will be visiting from Baltimore.

MM: Is this something you would like to do next year? Anything different you would do?
JR: I would love to do this every year, growing to the point that we offer holiday baskets. My goal is to hold events yearlong in the community, not just during the holidays. It would also be nice to give back to the volunteers who donate their time, especially if the same people participate in Operation Community Capture efforts often.

MM: What's the most joyful thing about Christmas season to you?
JR: The most joyful thing about the Christmas season for me is the memories created with my family, especially my son. Each year his ability to remember and grasp the importance of our time together amazes me. Its like he has never forgotten any one-time we made Santa cookies and chocolate milk. Or, donated toys to other children. He is always asking me, "Hey mom, remember when we..?" I am so grateful he holds on to those memories of us as a family. He does enjoy the gift part just like anyone else! This year, as he puts it, "Its all about Star Wars mom". He is hoping for a real LightSaber!

MM: Anything else you would like to share?
JR: I just wanted to add that there were some really special moments; for example, Mollie Coffin took special time out to give an aspiring photographer, from one of the families, a personal tour of the studio and building. She and her parents could not stop smiling and saying thank you.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share this story!