PROJECT RESILIENCE: STORIES FROM THE FRONT Chapter Seven- A Family Portrait

Normally Andy Tapia spends the weekend soaking up family adventures. His life is all about movement as an athletics and recreation photographer and Computer Science & Engineering student.

A typical day for Andy would include a little exercise, studying, running errands, homework at Starbucks, and in the evening, binge-watching Breaking Bad.

Now, the world has slowed, but his daily routine hasn’t.

“Ever since this pandemic, I had to move back home in a household of seven…I have breakfast, then work on my homework as there is less noise. In the afternoon, I run errands and help around the household. In the evening, I am a tutor for my siblings as they continue school digitally.”

And like many people, he’s also working to find a way to relax and have meaningful moments with his loved ones.

“My family would plan trips to the park, beach, and the movies on the weekends as a form of bonding with each other. My friends and I would go try new restaurants and visit art exhibits,” Andy said. “We were not prepared for such changes.”

So he’s been exploring fun ways to connect indoors.

“My family and I play board games at home, watch movies on Netflix, and take family photos. My friends and I still hang out, but through FaceTime to distance ourselves. As the future is unclear, we are working towards prioritizing our health while supporting each other,” Andy stated.

As he invested in his family, Andy found it challenging to stay focused on work and school. 

“When I am home, I tend to forget about school as I am trying to spend time with my family…Now, I am remaking new routines to get back on track,” he said.

And with the Project Resilience Grant, this new track will include tools to strengthen his photography career and expand his client base.

“With this grant, I will invest in a computer to work efficiently when using IDE or Adobe products [and] an external flash to accommodate more night events,” Andy said. “These tools will help…allow me to have more time to learn other aspects of photography or computer science.”

In addition to the grant helping him reconnect with his career, it will also help him include his family in a very important way.

“During this time, my hobby has taken a pause [from] taking pictures of friends and clients, but [the new photography equipment] will be used for family photos. …I will be purchasing a softbox to practice a different style of portraits using my family members,” Andy said.

“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human, are created, strengthened, and maintained.” -Winston S. Churchill

#familyfocused

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