NEW ROCHELLE, NY.- 3rd Rail Studio is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition Missions of Hope: Photographs by Domenica Comfort. Through her travels with Medical Students Making Impacts (MSMI) and Mission of Hope Inc.-Rwanda, Domenica Comfort has documented the generosity of these organizations and the knowledge and hope that they bring to disadvantaged countries.

Medical Students Making Impacts is an organization created by medical students at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and is compromised of students and doctors from the institution. Their mission is to educate current and future medical professionals about global health through exposure, involvement and service. Mission of Hope Inc.-Rwanda, is a Christian, non-profit organization established in the Nyamirambo District of Rwanda, Africa, in June 2002. Their objective is to educate, disseminate information and bring awareness on safe sex and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Domenica Comfort’s purpose for both of these organizations was to document the missions for promotional use in fundraising efforts and to bring awareness to the programs. While her involvement was on a practical level, Comfort is left with an inspiring body of work that reveals the faith and compassion of humanity.

In December 2006, Comfort accompanied MSMI on a surgical mission to Honduras, and again on a medical mission to Belize, in March 2007. She was witness to young medical students who volunteered their time and medical skills to disadvantaged people. In October 2007, Comfort traveled to Rwanda with Mission of Hope Inc. to photograph the work of dedicated individuals as they taught the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention and testing, and provided knowledge of new skills and the empowerment of education to the children. As a result of documenting each of these missions, Comfort gives us a glimpse into extraordinary cultures that are seemingly very different but ultimately one and the same in terms of basic human values.

Missions of Hope is a photo-documentary that brings awareness to MSMI and Mission of Hope Inc.-Rwanda through images that are both raw and honest and expose Domenica Comfort’s sincere belief in the power of hope and kindness. “This is an important exhibition for 3rd Rail Studio,” notes Executive Director Christine Milo. Milo added, “We are helping to bring attention to two organizations that depend on the help of volunteers and donations. Domenica is dedicated to her profession and dedicated to making a difference, and her work is a perfect example of that.”

Domenica Comfort has studied at the International Center of Photography, the School of Visual Arts and New York University. She is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and the Westchester Professional Photographers Association Inc. (WPPA). She has photographed everything from portraits, to special occasions, to sports and self-assigned projects. Through her images she intents to bring people closer together by revealing basic human qualities such as love, emotion and hope, which we all possess.

Missions of Hope: Photographs by Domenica Comfort, opens December 1, with a free reception December 1, from 7:00-9:00PM which is open to the public. The exhibit runs from December 1 – January 5. Located in New Rochelle, NY, at 49 Plain Avenue, 3rd Rail Studio is easily accessible by Metro North train or car.