• Framing Our Future Project
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  • Erin: Office Assistant
    anemptytextlline
    Erin loves to dress in fancy clothes and get her hair done. She'd like to get dressed up and go to work in an office setting. "I'd like to work in an office and do shredding. I'd like to get paid to do it," she said. "I'd put it in the bank." She'd spend some of her hard-earned money at Ulta, she said. "It's my favorite store."
  • Talon: Dancing Chef
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    Talon's eyes lit up when asked about his dream job. He moved to the edge of his seat. "In summer school we took a trip to a hotel and we toured the whole hotel. It made me think I would like to work as a hotel chef!" Talon has already taken some basic cooking classes. He also talked about how much he liked his ballroom dancing classes". "Maybe I could be a dancing chef!" he laughed.
  • Josh: Professional Bowler
    anemptytextlline
    "I’d like to become a pro bowler,” beamed Josh. “I like it when people come to watch and cheer me on.” Being part of a bowling team means a lot to Josh. When he rolls a good shot he calls out, “Did you see that?” Wearing his brightly colored bowling shirt, Josh said, makes him feel like he is part of something special.
  • Thomas: Barista
    anemptytextlline
    Thomas leaned back in his seat thoughtfully as he expressed his ideal job. “I’m thinking a coffee shop,” he said. “I like the atmosphere and all the people coming and going. I like to drink coffee, too.”
  • Ricky: Construction Worker
    anemptytextlline
    Ricky was bright with enthusiasm as he described his desire to work in the construction field with his family. "They frame houses and renovate houses. I'd like to help with that," he said. "I've been on the construction site with them before. I liked being there."
  • Teena: Gold Panner
    anemptytextlline
    The sun dancing on the water at Pedro Creek made it appear to be filled with gold and gems as Teena proudly showed her panning skills. Soon shiny specks appearerd toward the edge of the pan, and she beamed. "Look, right here," she pointed. "see those flecks? That's gold."
  • Thomas: Paramedic
    anemptytextlline
    Thomas talked excitedly about his prospective future. “I would like to work as a paramedic in an ambulance,” he said. “I’m proud to be learning about science in school. That will help me reach my goal.”
  • Bronson: Research Assistant
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    At the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Large Animal Research Station (LARS) Bronson stepped into a pen with young muskox, born just last spring. The wooly animals seemed more cartoon-like than real, as Bronson touched the soft fur along their back. Bronson held out an open-hand piled with Cheerios and the young calves trotted over to receive the treat.
  • Grant: Car Owner
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    Grant wants the same things as most young adult men. He eventually wants to get married and have a home. "I'd really like to learn to drive and get a car," he said. He wants to be able to drive to work to support his family. "Buying a car would be a hard goal, but I'd really like to do that."
  • Candra - Storm Chaser
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    At a very young age, Candra became fascinated with all aspects of weather and has remained so ever since Candra paused thoughtfully before answering questions about her dream job. "I would become a storm chase. I would love to chase tonadoes with a good protective team," she express confidently.
  • John: Teacher
    anemptytextlline
    John expressed great respect for previous high school teacher, Mr G. "He was fun and helpful. He made me think I would like to be a teacher," he said. "I know it's a hard job." John also started learning sign language and liked helping the sign language interpreter in his classroom.
  • Alex: Dog Musher
    anemptytextlline
    Nothing gets Alex more excited than talking about dog teams and mushing. He just lights up. At Noble Paws, he walked through the entire process, form harnessing the dogs to giving commands to feeding them after they ran. "You say 'mush' when you want them to go," he said. He expressed pure joy as the sled dogs pulled him along the trial. "Go, dogs, go!"
  • Carli: Veterinary Technician
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    For many years Carli has desired a job taking care of cats and dogs. “I would like to work with animals, giving them love, and playing with them. Animals are my passion,” she expressed with dramatic emphasis. At Animal House Veterinary Clinic a pit bull mix named Randy Travis was the willing recipient of some of that love.
  • Christine: Fire Fighter
    anemptytextlline
    When a University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Fire Fighter showed Christine full fire-fighting gear, her eyes grew wide with amazement. "My dream job is to be a fire fighter," she beamed. "Ever since I was really young I dreamed of being a fire fighter when I grew up.it's what I want more than anything."
  • Tyler: Courier
    anemptytextlline
    Tyler pushed his shiny cart along FRA’s halls and handed out mail, office supplies and the day’s newspaper. He beamed when thanked for each delivery. It’s not just Tyler that benefits from this routine. His smiles are infectious and the recipients of his charm are left with a better day each time they receive a parcel.
  • Framing Our Future Project
    Learn More
  • Erin: Office Assistant
    Erin loves to dress in fancy clothes and get her hair done. She'd like to get dressed up and go to work in an office setting. "I'd like to work in an office and do shredding. I'd like to get paid to do it," she said. "I'd put it in the bank." She'd spend some of her hard-earned money at Ulta, she said. "It's my favorite store."
  • Talon: Dancing Chef
    Talon's eyes lit up when asked about his dream job. He moved to the edge of his seat. "In summer school we took a trip to a hotel and we toured the whole hotel. It made me think I would like to work as a hotel chef!" Talon has already taken some basic cooking classes. He also talked about how much he liked his ballroom dancing classes". "Maybe I could be a dancing chef!" he laughed.
  • Josh: Professional Bowler
    "I’d like to become a pro bowler,” beamed Josh. “I like it when people come to watch and cheer me on.” Being part of a bowling team means a lot to Josh. When he rolls a good shot he calls out, “Did you see that?” Wearing his brightly colored bowling shirt, Josh said, makes him feel like he is part of something special.
  • Thomas: Barista
    Thomas leaned back in his seat thoughtfully as he expressed his ideal job. “I’m thinking a coffee shop,” he said. “I like the atmosphere and all the people coming and going. I like to drink coffee, too.”
  • Ricky: Construction Worker
    Ricky was bright with enthusiasm as he described his desire to work in the construction field with his family. "They frame houses and renovate houses. I'd like to help with that," he said. "I've been on the construction site with them before. I liked being there."
  • Teena: Gold Panner
    The sun dancing on the water at Pedro Creek made it appear to be filled with gold and gems as Teena proudly showed her panning skills. Soon shiny specks appearerd toward the edge of the pan, and she beamed. "Look, right here," she pointed. "see those flecks? That's gold."
  • Thomas: Paramedic
    Thomas talked excitedly about his prospective future. “I would like to work as a paramedic in an ambulance,” he said. “I’m proud to be learning about science in school. That will help me reach my goal.”
  • Bronson: Research Assistant
    At the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Large Animal Research Station (LARS) Bronson stepped into a pen with young muskox, born just last spring. The wooly animals seemed more cartoon-like than real, as Bronson touched the soft fur along their back. Bronson held out an open-hand piled with Cheerios and the young calves trotted over to receive the treat.
  • Grant: Car Owner
    Grant wants the same things as most youn adult men. He eventually wants to get married and have a home. "I'd really like to learn to drive and get a car," he said. He wants to be able to drive to work to support his family. "Buying a car would be a hard goal, but I'd really like to do that."
  • Candra - Storm Chaser
    At a very young age, Candra became fascinated with all aspects of weather and has remained so ever since Candra paused thoughtfully before answering questions about her dream job. "I would become a storm chase. I would love to chase tonadoes with a good protective team," she express confidently.
  • John: Teacher
    John expressed great respect for previous high school teacher, Mr G. "He was fun and helpful. He made me think I would like to be a teacher," he said. "I know it's a hard job." John also started learning sign language and liked helping the sign language interpreter in his classroom.
  • Alex: Dog Musher
    Nothing gets Alex more excited than talking about dog teams and mushing. He just lights up. At Noble Paws, he walked through the entire process, form harnessing the dogs to giving commands to feeding them after they ran. "You say 'mush' when you want them to go," he said. He expressed pure joy as the sled dogs pulled him along the trial. "Go, dogs, go!"
  • Carli: Veterinary Technician
    For many years Carli has desired a job taking care of cats and dogs. “I would like to work with animals, giving them love, and playing with them. Animals are my passion,” she expressed with dramatic emphasis. At Animal House Veterinary Clinic a pit bull mix named Randy Travis was the willing recipient of some of that love.
  • Christine: Fire Fighter
    When a University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Fire Fighter showed Christine full fire-fighting gear, her eyes grew wide with amazement. "My dream job is to be a fire fighter," she beamed. "Ever since I was really young I dreamed of being a fire fighter when I grew up.it's what I want more than anything."
  • Tyler: Courier
    Tyler pushed his shiny cart along FRA’s halls and handed out mail, office supplies and the day’s newspaper. He beamed when thanked for each delivery. It’s not just Tyler that benefits from this routine. His smiles are infectious and the recipients of his charm are left with a better day each time they receive a parcel.
  • Framing Our Future Project
    Learn More
  • Erin: Office Assistant
    Erin loves to dress in fancy clothes and get her hair done. She'd like to get dressed up and go to work in an office setting. "I'd like to work in an office and do shredding. I'd like to get paid to do it," she said. "I'd put it in the bank." She'd spend some of her hard-earned money at Ulta, she said. "It's my favorite store."
  • Talon: Dancing Chef
    Talon's eyes lit up when asked about his dream job. He moved to the edge of his seat. "In summer school we took a trip to a hotel and we toured the whole hotel. It made me think I would like to work as a hotel chef!" Talon has already taken some basic cooking classes. He also talked about how much he liked his ballroom dancing classes". "Maybe I could be a dancing chef!" he laughed.
  • Josh: Professional Bowler
    "I’d like to become a pro bowler,” beamed Josh. “I like it when people come to watch and cheer me on.” Being part of a bowling team means a lot to Josh. When he rolls a good shot he calls out, “Did you see that?” Wearing his brightly colored bowling shirt, Josh said, makes him feel like he is part of something special.
  • Thomas: Barista
    Thomas leaned back in his seat thoughtfully as he expressed his ideal job. “I’m thinking a coffee shop,” he said. “I like the atmosphere and all the people coming and going. I like to drink coffee, too.”
  • Ricky: Construction Worker
    Ricky was bright with enthusiasm as he described his desire to work in the construction field with his family. "They frame houses and renovate houses. I'd like to help with that," he said. "I've been on the construction site with them before. I liked being there."
  • Teena: Gold Panner
    The sun dancing on the water at Pedro Creek made it appear to be filled with gold and gems as Teena proudly showed her panning skills. Soon shiny specks appearerd toward the edge of the pan, and she beamed. "Look, right here," she pointed. "see those flecks? That's gold."
  • Thomas: Paramedic
    Thomas talked excitedly about his prospective future. “I would like to work as a paramedic in an ambulance,” he said. “I’m proud to be learning about science in school. That will help me reach my goal.”
  • Bronson: Research Assistant
    At the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Large Animal Research Station (LARS) Bronson stepped into a pen with young muskox, born just last spring. The wooly animals seemed more cartoon-like than real, as Bronson touched the soft fur along their back. Bronson held out an open-hand piled with Cheerios and the young calves trotted over to receive the treat.
  • Grant: Car Owner
    Grant wants the same things as most young adult men. He eventually wants to get married and have a home. "I'd really like to learn to drive and get a car," he said. He wants to be able to drive to work to support his family. "Buying a car would be a hard goal, but I'd really like to do that."
  • Candra - Storm Chaser
    At a very young age, Candra became fascinated with all aspects of weather and has remained so ever since Candra paused thoughtfully before answering questions about her dream job. "I would become a storm chase. I would love to chase tonadoes with a good protective team," she express confidently.
  • John: Teacher
    John expressed great respect for previous high school teacher, Mr G. "He was fun and helpful. He made me think I would like to be a teacher," he said. "I know it's a hard job." John also started learning sign language and liked helping the sign language interpreter in his classroom.
  • Alex: Dog Musher
    Nothing gets Alex more excited than talking about dog teams and mushing. He just lights up. At Noble Paws, he walked through the entire process, form harnessing the dogs to giving commands to feeding them after they ran. "You say 'mush' when you want them to go," he said. He expressed pure joy as the sled dogs pulled him along the trial. "Go, dogs, go!"
  • Carli: Veterinary Technician
    For many years Carli has desired a job taking care of cats and dogs. “I would like to work with animals, giving them love, and playing with them. Animals are my passion,” she expressed with dramatic emphasis. At Animal House Veterinary Clinic a pit bull mix named Randy Travis was the willing recipient of some of that love.
  • Christine: Fire Fighter
    When a University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Fire Fighter showed Christine full fire-fighting gear, her eyes grew wide with amazement. "My dream job is to be a fire fighter," she beamed. "Ever since I was really young I dreamed of being a fire fighter when I grew up.it's what I want more than anything."
  • Tyler: Courier
    Tyler pushed his shiny cart along FRA’s halls and handed out mail, office supplies and the day’s newspaper. He beamed when thanked for each delivery. It’s not just Tyler that benefits from this routine. His smiles are infectious and the recipients of his charm are left with a better day each time they receive a parcel.

Framing Our Future Project

The Framing Our Future project was born from the merging of two fundamental ideals. First, to reach a goal we must be able to imagine ourselves there. Second, we are all driven by a need for belonging and a true connection to our community.

In the fall of 2017 sixteen young adults with developmental disabilities worked with Fairbanks Resource Agency and photographer Kari Orvik to visualize their dreams. Through the photographs, they share their hopes for the future. From storm chaser to chef, they all envision a life that allows them to make a contribution.

We believe the project provides a foundation for creating a community where every ability belongs and we are all able to live our dreams. Fairbanks Resource Agency joins our many supporters in pursuing this future.

Kari Orvik is a nationally recognized photographer who lives and works in San Francisco. Her work, which explores ideas of commemoration and connection to place, has been shown at the Berkeley Art Museum, SomArts and the Headlands Center for the Arts, and is featured on the covers of Popular Photography and San Francisco Magazine.