Meet Miriam Cobb | Founder & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Miriam Cobb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miriam, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The chance to take risks is an underrated gift.

Every worthwhile endeavor has started with risk, whether it be time away from profitable work, stepping into an unexplored field, or investing in something untested, I genuinely believe risk is directly tied to any work of significance.

Simultaneously, one’s ability to take a risk is directly tied to one’s support system and safety net, whether this is family, saved income, experience/education, etc. It’s an opportunity rarely afforded, the ability to take a risk about something worthwhile.

I’m fortunate to have a family system that has allowed me to take risks and has given me the time to pursue the things I care about. Through Empty Frames Initiative, I hope to provide others the same opportunity to take risks about the things they are passionate about.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Empty Frames Initiative is a nonprofit that comes alongside young adults who age out of state care systems. Aging out happens around the world, sometimes to individuals as young as 16, and right now we are working specifically in the US where it commonly happens between 18-21. We look to empower these individuals by providing training in life skills, counseling, community, and access to the Gospel. We’ve done this through several smaller projects throughout the past six years, the most notable being our book, “The Story of Foster Care” as told by three former foster youth, two social workers, and two foster parents.

Something we really value and want to emphasize as an organization is collaboration and connection with other organization’s and individuals. We believe that by connecting as a group to others in this field we are better positioned to help our clients into their next steps. Whenever possible, we value collaboration over origination, because there is so much good work being done in the work of caring for those who transition out of state care. Ultimately, one of the biggest challenges our clients face is a lack of community, so it only makes sense to build up a community around them that is expansive and deep.

We’re working towards our first short-term residential facility, to be launched in Texas, where youth leaving foster care can receive intentional, direct support. It has been a long journey to get here, but we believe that our emphasis on collaboration and the consistent focus on caring for each unique individual will enable us to run a successful, intentional program in this state.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Dallas is a beautiful city, and one that I’m still getting to know! Something my family really enjoys is a tour of thrift and antiques shops and Dallas is full of unique finds!

A few shops I especially enjoy are the Forestwood Antique Mall and the City View Antique Mall. There are so many more in the area, some are really unique and quirky, one could definitely take a few days just visiting these places.

The Dallas Museum of Art would be another place we could literally spend all day exploring.

I’d probably wrap up a tour of Dallas by stopping at one of the Lala Land Kind Cafes – who also serve former foster youth and have cute locations around town!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my support system, who have allowed me to take risks.

Website: https://www.fillingemptyframes.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emptyframesinitiative/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empty-frames-initiative/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmptyFramesInitiative/?ref=hl

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz2QGb1qdwHa-mMRODfi-fw

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/EmptyFrames_/