We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabe Mayfield, Sr. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabe, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
I try my best to get a good nights sleep everyday. Interacting with friends, family and coworkers is very important to me. Working for a Non- Profit like Life House Inc, has blessed me with opportunity to give back. Giving back can improve your mental and physical health. Focusing on my self-care especially my health, has allowed me to take the time I need to be effective in every aspect of my life, especially my passions.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ve worked for Life house for 10 years now, It’s a non-profit that’s dedicated to working closely with young people walking through life transitions and providing a safe alternative to fleeing their environments, living on the streets, or feeling stuck and a sense of hopelessness in life. I believe that I have been training for this kind of work my whole life, My life experiences I feel, have lead me to the place I need to be. Living in Duluth, MN has giving me the chance to be apart of the performing artist community for over 20 years, locally and professionally. Being an performer has given me the opportunity to indulge in songwriting and producing my own music as well.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I began taking acting and directing courses in college, then was cast in two UWS productions “Little Shop of Horrors” as the Voice of Audrey II and “Amahl and The Night Visitors” as King Balthazar. I soon began auditioning for the Duluth Playhouse and Renegade Theater Company shows. Healing my spirit through the roles and characters I portray, inspires me, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to share my experiences with the community, colleagues and my family. I really hope my art inspires someone who has always wanted to get into the performing arts, or human services, but doesn’t believe they have the what it takes to audition for shows, write music, perform live, or helping people in-need. You have to put yourself out there, and always believe in what your passionate about.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Having a partnership with local non-profits like the Duluth Playhouse, YMCA, Zeitgeist and Music Recourse Center gives our participants the opportunity to engage with the community in a positive and uplifting way. I would love to continue communicating with organizations such as the Damiano Center, Union Gospel Mission, RAAN, AICHO, and PAVSA, to get our youth more familiar and comfortable with their local resources. I also would like to connect with youth centers in our area to get a better understanding about the services that their participants may need as they become young adults, to help them navigate their surroundings. I hope that we as a community can come together and make sure that our youth in the Twin Ports have all the support they need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lifehouseduluth.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeHouseYouthCenter https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.mayfield/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVy40rQciLOywGUG4iw1LXA
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