Nothing is Perfect….

1. CACLV Work Ready Program present…Vanessa Chambers of Chamberlite Entertainment “ I Know What Is Best For Me!”

2. When a child realizes at an early age that they’ve been gifted musically and with a natural ability to write, it seems as though their purpose and path would lie perfectly before them. This wasn’t quite the case for native Philadelphian Vanessa Chambers. Despite all odds, fate continued to lead Vanessa into her true calling. In elementary school, Vanessa developed a passion for writing. At age 15 she joined a singing group and wrote her first song. After graduating High School, she started modeling in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. A year later, she moved to New York City. Here she started a family, temporarily putting her Career in music on the back burner. Nothing is Perfect….

3. Where the Path Leads... • Later, during her stay in New York, she studied classical flute at the “Manhattan School of Music”, she enhanced her craft for theater, creative writing anddancing at “City College”, and later continued classes at Temple University. Vanessa performed in several Off-Broadway shows, one of which she starred in the lead role. Her musical abilities landed her many jobs in recording studios from New York, Philadelphia to Los Angeles. She also did a stint with a rock band known throughout the New York area known as “Tomcats”. In addition to her activities in the music business, Vanessa modeled professionally for high fashion runway shows, print, and commercial ads. She also taught at Barbizon School of Modeling.

4. I Do What I Love • At present, she is making a name for herself as a prolific songwriter. One of her songs was voted in the top six categories, for best inspirational song out of 1,000 songs, and was honored by the Philadelphia Grammy Division. She is also involved in various musical projects. Including her current Inspirational play “I Know What’s Best for Me,” in which she wrote all the songs. Musical influences include, Stevie Wonder, Fred Hammond, Earth Wind and Fire, the late Luther Vandross, Take 6, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Sting, Michael Franks The Beatles, John Coltrane, Kathleen Battle, Beethoven, Steel Pulse, Frank Sinatra, Tupac, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Joel, Al Jarreau, Rod Steward, Bon Jovi, Kanye West, John Legend, Roberta Flack, George Benson, Donnie McClurkin, Jill Scott, Joe, Seal, Will Downing and countless others. She has a strong faith in God and believes she’s well on her way to fulfilling all of her dreams.

5. The Testimony Vanessa is nothing short of a survivor crossbred with a miracle. Her most contentious period of life took her through an era of an abusive spouse. Her husband continued abusive and unhealthy mannerisms for years, eventually abandoning his wife and their three babies forcing them to go to a rat infested shelter. It became imperative for Vanessa to make a CRITICAL decision. Upon gaining her own strength and self worth, she vowed never to be in such a horrible situation again. Unfortunately some of the best laid plans tend to fail. This situation was no different. Things for Vanessa and her family became worse before they got better. It is these tests and challenges that have given her the endurance to push forward and share her testimony to the world.

6. In Her Own Words • My mission is to encourage women…. even men, in our communities and around the world, not to settle for physical, mental, verbal and emotional disrespect or abuse ever! In the late 1990’s I began mentoring and ministering to individuals undergoing domestic violence and other traumas, to evoke change within their lives. • As a writer, playwright, model, and advocate against domestic violence…..I use the arts as my platform to reach the masses. My connection with the audience is to uplift, motivate, heal and embrace the broken in spirit. Furthermore, my purpose is to extend laughter humor and a message of hope; letting the audience know that they too can make it. As I made it “through the Fire” personally My faith, my prayers and strong belief in God gave me the inner strength to release the power within to become a beacon of light on this matter. My goal is to empower and enlightened communities to “say no to domestic violence”. I lived and experienced what hurting people are going through….and I now can truly thank God!...cause through it all, “I can truly say now , “I KNOW WHATS BEST FOR ME!!!”

7. The Proposal... • What we are proposing is having Vanessa Chambers come and give her testimony at our program. We feel that she has so much to offer our participants in the way of strength and encouragement. • We would also like to extend an invitation to other branches of the CACLV Family Tree such as Sixth Street Shelter, Ferry Street Apartments. • As an olive branch, we would also like to extend an invitation to the Third Street Alliance to come and fellowship with other members of the community and our guest speaker.

8. The Festivities... • We are inviting Ms.Chambers to come out from Philadelphia later on in the month. • As it stands we have a tentitave date of April 28, 2011 at 10:30 AM • If this time and date does not seem conducive we will let everyone know. • We will also have light refreshments for those who would like to participate in this once in a lifetime event.