This blog looks a little bit different.
As a Marketing Specialist, I usually tell other people’s stories: their thoughts, their experiences, their heart. But something happened recently that deserves to be documented. Something I take no credit for. A genuine God moment that played out right in front of me, and I was lucky enough to witness it.
So let me tell you what happened. It has become my ‘why’ moment, and a moment I won’t soon forget.
As part of my role managing social media content, I was at 50 East Garden Center & Café for a routine meeting with Jessi Kipfer, Manager of 50 East Café.
Then a residential student walked by, a barista that works at the cafe, who we’ll call Kameron.
I had seen him around campus before; he always seemed friendly, but that day, something different happened. The camera I was holding caught his eye. He asked to see it, then sat with us, exploring every button and asking thoughtful questions, clearly captivated.
Not long after, he shared that he had a passion for photography and videography.
Unknowingly behind the scenes, it had been on our department’s hearts to create a marketing internship opportunity for Growing Teens for Life students for quite some time. When Kameron started talking, using terms like “B-roll” and referencing editing programs, it was immediately clear: he knew his stuff, and it felt like our hearts were aligning with reality.
My first thought was, you’ve got to meet Dayton, my coworker who specializes in video.
And then, everything shifted.
Right in the middle of our conversation, Kameron got a phone call. He had just been informed that he would be returning home and leaving campus in a matter of days.
This suddenly became a now-or-never moment to allow Kameron to explore a new career path.
As we kept talking, Kameron shared that he had always planned to go into automotive work, something his family had done, something he felt he should do. But video? That was his passion. He just hadn’t realized it could actually be a career.
I will never forget the moment that realization hit him. His face lit up, and he said, “I’m so excited for the future now.”
I’ve heard stories of student growth before. I’ve listened to staff share wins. But witnessing that spark firsthand, seeing a young person recognize a new possibility for their life, it changed something for me.
From there, things moved quickly.
Our team came together to figure out what could be possible in such a short window of time. Kameron had ideas. We had ideas. And we collaborated.
In marketing, we tell stories of transformation to help others see what’s possible. And who better to tell those stories than someone who has lived it?
Over the next several days, Kameron created a series of reels for us to use on social media. One included a voiceover he recorded in 50 East, sharing—in his own words—what the program meant to him. He was given full creative freedom and complete control over what he chose to share.
Kameron rose to the occasion.
He also pitched and produced a video where he interviewed a Family Teacher, a Residential Supervisor, and even our CEO. He wrote his own questions, led the interviews, and welcomed feedback, recognizing that collaboration made the final product stronger.
As his birthday and departure approached, another idea came together.
We didn’t just want Kameron to leave with experience, we wanted him to leave equipped for what comes next.
Along with portfolio pieces and hands-on experience, he was provided with equipment to help him continue pursuing his passion beyond campus, and take the next steps in his career. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Kameron now has the tools he needs to keep creating, growing, and moving forward with confidence.
Even more, he was told that because of him, other students will now have the opportunity to shadow the Marketing team, gaining hands-on creative and professional experience while learning how storytelling, communication, and content creation support the mission of Josiah White’s.
The impact didn’t end with Kameron. It was the launching pad for something bigger.
When he opened his gift, the room filled with emotion: tears, hugs, and one clear message: we believe in you. In your talent, your grit, and your future.
Some might say that we impacted Kameron, and I’m sure we did, in some way. But the truth is, he impacted me.
“New possibilities” isn’t just a tagline. I watched it unfold in real time.
The timing. The people. The opportunity. Kameron’s talent.
All of it points back to God.
And I can’t wait to see where his story goes next.
