Kids at the Village Will Pose for Pics
Headshots Will Make Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

   SAN DIEGO — As many as 110 infants, children and teens living at St. Vincent de Paul Village will have their pictures taken free of charge by a local professional photography group on Monday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the downtown homeless rehabilitation center, located at 1501 Imperial Avenue. Maximum visual impact will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the event’s busiest hour.

   For the fourth time in as many years, the San Diego County Professional Photographers group will be on hand to capture the youngsters’ pearly whites on film – a first-time experience for many Village children.

   St. Vincent’s Children Services Program Manager Alma Covarrubias says the event gives youngsters a unique opportunity to capture a significant and important moment in their social, physical and emotional growth.

   "As these youngsters grow to become successful and productive members of society, they can look at those pictures and remember the help they received at St. Vincent’s," she says. "These photos will undoubtedly rekindle that sense of pride in family and self-respect that is such an important part of our rehabilitation philosophy."

   Spokesman for the photography group, Oscar Afsahi, says 22 volunteers will come together to snap the headshots.

   "The San Diego community has given so much to our group," Afsahi says. "This event is a way we can make a positive contribution to those who have come upon hard times and provide a lasting memory that these children and their families can treasure even after their time at St. Vincent’s."

   A community room at the Village will transform into a working photography studio with lights, backdrops and two cameras, says Afsahi, adding everything – film and processing included – will be donated.

   The pictures will be returned to the children before Mother’s Day, says Covarrubias, making them the perfect gift for mom.

   For more information on Tuesday’s event, call (619) 525-1608. For more information on San Diego County Professional Photographers, visit www.ppsdc.com.

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