American Faces #89 - It's Off Grid

American Faces No. 89

This may be the most polarizing American Faces story yet, due to the background behind my subject. But making a judgment like that, I think, is wholeheartedly wrong. I’m not trying to start anything, or even end something. I just want you to take a few moments and get to know Sam.

Sam Smith has been a part of his Northern Minnesota community in one way or another his whole life. He loves his wife and kids and served his country in the Navy and has served people in traumatic times as a first responder. There is compassion in his eyes, and his “protector” spirit is clearly evident as Sam speaks about his life.

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This family man doesn’t take lightly the ownership of his gunshop called Off Grid Armory in Shevlin, MN near Lake Itasca State Park. The store – literally off the normal grid – offers firearms, ammunition and an amazing array of old military gear and historic guns rivaling many museums. Sam and his staff strive to train people in responsible gun ownership and strategies for self protection, should the need arise. It’s not just about a gun sale. It’s about getting to know his customers, what their specific concerns might be, or how that firearm might serve them in their chosen shooting sport. For Sam, it’s about us all being good to one another, and it starts by him listening to his customer. The classes Sam and his staff teach on site are usually full. His students learn to safely use, care for and handle their firearms – vital responsibilities learned while friendships are forged.

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If you're still reading, thanks for sticking with this story. If the background of the image caused you to pause, I’m glad you didn’t make a snap judgment and scroll on past. Because if you had, you would have shortchanged yourself, missing out on getting to know a little bit about Sam. Yes, he’s the owner of the Off Grid Armory. He’s also a fellow human being, a man who has served our country, a caregiver and a guardian for his community.

Thank you for your service Sam!

Photos/Story by: Nielsen Studios

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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American Faces #88 - “If we don't then who will?”

American Faces No. 88

Steph Page is an incredible ray of light in this world. She is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Stories Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that engages communities to fight human trafficking by using business to bring awareness about trafficking and to support the work through fundraising. Steph believes that every story has value, and that by embracing our own story and sharing it with others we can take a positive step towards changing the stories of injustice in our communities.

It is so hard to believe that human trafficking is happening right in our communities, as well as all over the world. It is up to us to make a change in this world. It’s up to us to no longer close our eyes. It is up to us to be difference makers.

This was brought to light in a recent movie from Angel Studios featuring Jim Caviezel called The Sound of Freedom. That movie shook me to my very core, and left me wondering what I can do.

I recently connected with Steph through a mutual friend and have begun a process of figuring out what I can do as an individual and as a leader. During a recent conversation with Steph I asked her why a person should do this. to which she responded.; “If we don't then who will?”

Steph also shared her big dream and near realized goal of opening a new community gathering place called the Storyteller Cafe. This cafe will bring people together in community to educate, engage and support activism in the fight against human trafficking and modern day slavery. Profits from the cafe will also help provide job opportunities and safe housing for survivors in a place of restoration and healing. How amazing is that! You can learn more about The Storyteller Cafe here: https://www.storytellercafemn.org/

Every person has a story and every story has worth. Steph lives this out through her organization. In fact, she shares those very words (and more) in her story about the founding of Storyteller Foundation on their web site!.

As I close this I want to ask you to go see the movie. Human Trafficking is not a conspiracy theory – it is tragically very real, and you can be a part of the change this world needs. Be a warrior for the vulnerable by watching for suspicious activity and reporting what you see. You can also be a warrior by walking alongside and supporting organizations like the Storyteller Foundation that work to help children, women and other vulnerable adults to break free.

Like Steph, you can be a Difference Maker!

Photos/Story by: Nielsen Studios

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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American Faces #87 - The Dream

American Faces No. 87

The Northside of Minneapolis is a community-rich place, and people like Markella Smith of the Dream Shop are what make it great. Markella is a shining beacon in her community. The passion she has for the North Side is palpable. You see emotion well up in her eyes as she talks about her youth and what community meant to her back then, and what it means to her now as she raises her three sons. You hear her drive for the community as she speaks about the Dream Shop. This shop literally was a dream for Markella, an entrepreneur at her very core. She wanted a place where she could sell the jewelry she made and provide a place for other entrepreneurs like herself to share their own offerings.

This woman is an absolute ray of light. Through The Dream Shop, Markella provides space for Open Mic nights, game nights and many other events that help build community and offer a place for folks to belong. Markella’s smile projects hope and joy to anyone visiting her shop. Her friendly service welcomes customers the moment they open the door into her bright, well lit and inviting space. Her passion for employing people from her North Minneapolis community challenged me to ask myself, “How am I engaging my own community with my business?”

Markella and I sat on couches just inside her wonderful store and we shared life. Our worlds might be different – I live 30 miles west of Minneapolis on a 7 acre hobby farm, but when those differences are set aside, we each have struggles and joys, and we remain united by our common humanity.

Markella left home at 15 and found herself on a road through life filled with hardship, an abusive marriage and other challenges that can make life hard. Through all of that, she rose from the challenges of her past to become who she is today: a mom who loves her boys like crazy, cherishes the time she has with her dad and a woman who strives to make the Northside of Minneapolis a brighter place.

Markella told me it was community that helped build the Dream Shop and it’s her passion that the Dream Shop can help build community.

I usually like to close my posts with some words encouraging my readers to take some kind of action. So, here it is: Get yourself out of your comfort zone. Meet someone new, outside of your own community. You could even visit Markella at her shop at 3701 Freemont Avenue N. in Minneapolis.. You need her smile, and she needs yours. Heck, she might even give you a hug. If you're feeling especially bold, go for Open Mic night!

Photos/Story by: Nielsen Studios

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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