N.C. State students collaborated with a nonprofit organization that not only contributes to the community, but pulls families out of homelessness.
The students helped Pan Lutheran Ministries Families Together to create a video about the importance of helping homeless families stay together, while other nonprofits split them up.
Zachary Swann, senior in communication, and Cameron McCarty, an N.C. State alumnus who also majored in communication, combined their skills to market the nonprofit organization’s involvement in the lives of homeless families in the Raleigh area.
Swann said PLMFT was in need of a video for an upcoming fundraising event and was having trouble contacting the professional who had done it the past three years.
“Videos in the past for PLMFT had the same sort of feeling to them, a sappy sad story with a black background.” Swann said. “They wanted something different to get the same sort of message across.”
PLMFT presented the video at an annual fundraising event in October and proved to be a success for the organization, according to Beth Bordeaux, executive director of PLMFT.
Swann met Bordeaux participating in a mission trip with the Appalachian Service Project. During a conversation, Swann said he impressed Bordeaux with his marketing ideas and communication skills and asked him to partner with her organization in making the nonprofit video.
“She saw the personality I had and thought it would match the program,” Swann said.
Swann recruited McCarty, his best friend since freshman year, to storyboard the video, conduct interview questions, interview a family for the video and edit it.
Shooting the video took an entire day, and McCarty and Swann spent many late nights in the editing room for two weeks, McCarty said. According to Swann, they brought the product to PLMFT for feedback and then made changes before submitting their finished project.
McCarty said he enjoyed being a part of the project because PLMFT really helps people and families. McCarty said he gained valuable media skills and learned about lighting and on-site set up.
“I have had hardships in my life, so it was only right to lend my expertise as a helping hand,” McCarty said. “What I learned from this particular project surpasses just video and audio editing.”
Though some nonprofits such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army only accept one homeless parent with a child, PLMFT is different because the family can stay together. However, PLMFT keeps the mother, father and children together, according to Swann.
The organization provides short-term housing in apartments and helps move families out of shelter programs or other situations into permanent housing, according to Bordeaux.
James and Jessica Barnes from Raleigh starred in the video, talking about their life before and after PLMFT assistance. James Barnes was an N.C. State student, but had to drop out because of family circumstances, according to Swann.
Swann said Barnes was recommended by PLMFT to be in the video. Barnes said he would love to talk about the program and how it impacted his life, according to Swann.
“Life before PLM was stressful and treacherous,” Jessica Barnes said in the video.
According to Swann, James and Jessica Barnes had applied to PLMFT two-and-a-half years ago, when he was laid off. They were living with Jessica Barnes’ mother but were kicked out unexpectedly, and they didn’t have a place to go.
Swann said the couple felt blessed about getting into the program as fast as they did.
“We could not have asked for a better person to talk to,” Swann said. “James was very articulate, very passionate and intelligent.”
James Barnes currently works full time and has his own landscaping business. Jessica Barnes also works full time.
According to Bordeaux, PLMFT can help 120 families at any given time. PLMFT also provides coaching, education on handling finances and children’s programs.
Bordeaux said the video showed how resilient and dedicated families can be.
“The story of James and Jessica was incredibly inspirational,” Bordeaux said. “Their story made me feel like that’s the reason why I do this.”
Bordeaux said she has a longstanding connection with N.C. State students because she has worked with Park Scholars and interns from the social work department. She said she’s excited about Swann working as their team leader for their annual campaign taking place on March 2.
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