In the early 80′s Sera started her career in Fashion Design and Merchandising, working in all areas of the business. Sera stayed home to raise her 2 girls for 13 years. As a stay at home mom, she transferred her love of design into experimenting with paint and decorative finishes. She started to paint for family and friends which led to people wanting to hire her. When her marriage fell apart, Sera was forced to go to work to provide for her girls.

Sera started The Art of Paint, a residential home painting business that slowly grew. Eventually, she was not only providing for herself, but also had a team of women working with her. It was her life journey; her 2 careers, a failed marriage, losing everything and having to start from scratch that led to wanting to give back.

After years of dreaming about how to utlize her experience and love in painting and interior design to “Pay it Forward” for those in need of a second chance, Sera set out (with great hopes and some naivety) to create and make Walls of Hope a reality. – One family at a time. This was no “overnight, whimsical” thought. She still needed to provide and parent her two girls; but was determined to give back – some way, somehow.

Walls of Hope was conceived in 2003/2004, with the first project commencing in 2005 for the Brakes family. In the very early years everything/anyone/anything that was offered to grow her vision was gratefully welcomed; as she still does to today.

Now, 6 years later; Walls of Hope has a solid leadership team to guide and support Sera’s dream – a team that shares her vision, passion and truly want to help those in need. The acknowledgement and support from the community and business sectors continues to help fund and grow the non-profit cause.
Sera is first to say that, in the early years, Walls of Hope had a mix of amazing joy and more than a few challenges getting the first projects funded and completed. She is gracious enough to note that, though this was a dream long before the first project; it has taken support at many levels (volunteers, community, business sector, sponsors and media support) to make  Walls of Hope the amazing non-profit cause it is today.

Sera is thankful for everyone who has and/or continues to contribute to Walls of Hope; whether it is for a “reason, a season or a life time.”