ASHLEY MITCHELL

Q: What was your best experience from an enrichment program as a child?

A: My all-time favorite experience in elementary school was being apart of the photography club and getting a chance to visit an actual studio where photo shoots occurred.

Q: What made it the best?

A: I was always fascinated with the arts and I chose photography club as something different to do. I got the chance to learn how to develop images and put together a portfolio for an art show. Little did I know that I was going to discover a hidden passion. To this day, I still prefer to be behind the camera lens and capture beautiful images no matter where I am in the world.

Q: Is that what you hope to bring to Project P.L.E.A.S.E.?

A: Absolutely! I want as many kids to gain these types of experiences as possible.

Q: How so?

A: The best way to do this is to get in the community and build strong partnerships and find a multitude of activities for kids to experience that they may not have had access to before.

Q: What is it about Project P.L.E.A.S.E. that you makes you want to implement those changes when you reside out of state?

A: Chicago will always be home to me. I fell in love with the city as an undergrad and Chicago is where I found my love for teaching and working with children. I always told myself that I would find a way to connect with communities on the Southside and this is precisely what Project P.L.E.A.S.E. is doing. I was driven to become a member of the Board of Directors.