A Hug for the Holidays

Yesterday was the annual Thanksgiving Holiday H.U.G.S (Hope. Understanding. Guidance. Support) program at Kate's Club.  It is one of my favorite days of the year; a day where the families of Kate's Club come together to give thanks, enjoy a big pot luck lunch, and connect with each other for support.  It is a true celebration, while also a time for an extra boost during the holidays.

Support during the holidays you ask? Absolutely.  Let's admit it, we could all use a little extra support during the holidays.  For the families at Kate's Club, these weeks can bring on a more intense time for coping with loss.  This is a time when the absence of their loved one is most obvious and thus bringing out more emotions surrounding their grief. But Kate's Club helps them.  And for others, support exists too.

The one thing I did more than anything yesterday was give hugs. A simple gesture but one that can be so impactful and so rewarding. It may be the easiest gift you give these holidays, and I strongly recommend giving LOTS of them away.  Afterall you can not give a hug away without getting one back!

HUGS and more HUGS to all of you!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Helping Teachers Teach

As published in Atlanta INtown Paper  10/1/2010

It’s September, and school is back in session.  Often this is the season where we talk about ways to help youth who need resources to improve their educational experiences. While I think that is a vital need, I am taking a slightly different angle in this month’s column.  I am going to focus on ways to support our teachers and educators who work tirelessly to deliver our kids the best education available.

Due to budget cuts and a struggling economy, teachers are often left scrambling for adequate classroom supplies. In fact, did you know that teachers in the United States spend on average $500 out of their own pocket for classroom supplies? I’m sure those in lesser-funded schools are likely to spend even more.

For those of you who are parents and already active in PTA or who lend an extra hand in your child’s classroom, I applaud you.  Being an active parent in your child’s school is a great way to give back.  But too often there are classrooms and teachers that don’t have this support.

Luckily, there are organizations that provide an easy way for all of us to help teachers in our community. Here are two organizations that have creative and easy ways to help.

The Kids in Need Foundation is a dynamic organization with a mission to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed.  The organization does this by providing free school supplies to under-funded teachers and classrooms most in need.  What’s exciting about the Kids in Need Foundation is its recent campaign with EXPO markers.  For every package of EXPO markers sold in the U.S. this September, EXPO will donate one marker to the foundation. In addition, the company will donate up to an additional 20,000 markers for every person who “likes” EXPO on its Facebook page. It doesn’t get any easier to make a difference.   If you can’t get to the store to buy the markers, you can donate $10 by texting “SCHOOL” to 85944. To find out about more ways to help, visit www.kinf.org.

DonorChoose.org was brought to my attention a couple of weeks ago by a friend.  I went to the site and absolutely loved what I saw.  This site actually allows teachers to upload classroom needs and projects that can then be browsed by potential donors. The donors then choose the classroom project they want to help support.  It’s a great way to get involved in helping teachers, knowing exactly what your money is helping to provide.  Plus, the kids post their “thanks yous” on the site for even more reward. To learn more, visit www.donorchoose.org.

There are many ways we can come together to support all of the classrooms in our community. If nothing else, the next time you cross paths with a teacher, say thank you.  They truly give so much to our youth and deserve all the support and gratitude we are able to give them.

One Gal One Love

So excited to be sharing this interview with Jennifer Lester, Founder, One Love Generation.  A young Living by Giving Rockstar who has taken her love for art and design and connected it with her desire to change the lives of our community’s most vulnerable youth.

Kate:  Hi Jennifer. Thanks for your time to share more about One Love Generation.  Just with a name like that, I know readers will be intrigued.  Congratulations on your success. Let’s share more. 

Jennifer:  Thanks Kate. One Love Generation is a non-profit organization empowering youth to inspire positive social change through art, service and awareness.  I started OLG after having spent most of my years in professional art-related fields including interior design, graphics, painting and photography. My love for art paired with my passion for youth and social change birthed a unique organization.

As a teenager, I loved to redesign my bedroom over and over again. I took a strong interest in interior architecture and dreamed of being a National Geographic photographer. I spent the next eight years or so (college & after) bouncing around major U.S. cities working in the field of interior design: Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Miami…and finally, Atlanta. During that time, I always had a pull within to make an impact in the world.  I tried to find a balance between the work world and my heart by being involved in small projects like Architecture for Humanity in Los Angeles or writing for “Design like You Give a Damn”.  It was always a heart moving experience, but not entirely fulfilling.  I always felt that I was capable of so much more and was selling out on my full potential. It was this burning passion that led me to start One Love Generation.  Now as the Executive Director, I get to do this for my job.

Generally art-mentoring programs focus only on the skill and technique. In addition to these elements, OLG influences young artists to be in service to others and make a positive impact in the world. The program matches gifted teen artists with professional artist mentors. Our mentors provide support, encouragement and exposure to new experiences.

Kate:  Why did you start One Love Generation? What was your inspiration?

Jennifer: I remember the day when I became aware that the love of one's heart does not have a capacity.  Love is limitless.  Wouldn’t it be amazing to see our culture centered on the idea of love and compassion for others?  Well, I believe we can have an impact on our society by starting with the kiddos.

This is what led me to the idea of OLG. The new generation is truly amazing. I feel like change for love and peace is embedded in their genes.  They just need someone (or something) to help pull it out of them. There are so many tools available for them to become positive leaders.  I want to help them develop that culture of positive leaders.  Art and mentoring are a few tools I know how to work with and so the idea started to form.

I wanted to have a physical space that was eco-friendly and taught kids about how they can make a difference in the world by using their gifts. I wanted to make it a fun and artistic environment, but a learning space as well. I developed a program that eventually lead to an art service trip...say to the Amazon or Aruba...where they could experience that there is a bigger world out there.  It is limitless…and so is the amount of love one is capable of sharing. I want to inspire them to get out there and take advantage of the world that we have been given. Hopefully, OLG does exactly that.

Kate:  I think you are definitely on to something.  And such wisdom for being so young yourself. You and I both know how important it is to get involved in the community and help others.  But let me ask, how has giving back through One Love Generation changed your own life?

Jennifer: Gandhi is the man. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Great quote. So many things contribute to one’s happiness; One Love Generation is one of mine. I’m lucky to have a life that I feel so passionately about and it’s always changing. I am always pleasantly surprised when a friend or acquaintance offers to volunteer or tells me how they were inspired to move their life in a positive direction. I love to see change and inspire others…it’s contagious.

Kate: I hear One Love Generation is hosting a unique event on September 10th at Eddie's Attic to raise money to take the kids on a service trip to Ecuador! What are the details of the event?

Jennifer:  The Eddie’s Attic event is a fundraiser where comedian, Mark Irish, will host a hypnosis show full of your favorite Atlantans.  Local TV and radio personalities, writers, popular restaurant/bar owners (among others) will be persuaded into Martian dances, thinking One Love Generation just won the Superbowl and more. I can’t wait to see the people on this panel fall under Mark’s spell!  All proceeds will benefit OLG mentees’ art service trip to Ecuador this November.

Kate:  You have seemed to find a cause to be passionate about…What advice would you give to someone who is looking for that connection to a cause to begin giving back?

Jennifer:  I would encourage them to explore their heart and find what they truly connect with. Some folks prefer to help starving children in Africa or support crises like Katrina. All great causes, just not my passion. I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t be successful if I worked on a project supporting a cause that did not live in my heart. The kids, art, travel and service (I like to call them my four food groups) is where my passion lies. OLG is an organization that serves a person deeply and we believe will make a long-term impact on a life. It is not a meal card or hand out. We believe it will have an exponential effect. As the kids grow, they will choose to touch other lives in some positive way, and so on, and so on…It’s finding what truly moves you that is the hard part; giving is easy when it’s genuine.

Kate:  One last question…and I save my favorite for last...What is your Giving Dream?  If money, time, and resources are no obstacle, what’s your dream for making the world a better place?

Jennifer: Is this the part where Oprah strokes the multi-million dollar check?  Great!  Please make payable to “One Love Generation”.

I would love to have the funds, support and capacity to expand One Love Generation’s program to multiple cities throughout the world, hosting an exchange program to work in various cultures and raise awareness to local issues through art. By teaching young people to utilize their talents to make a positive impact in the world, OLG would create a generation of leaders inspiring a culture of love, compassion and service to others. I would love to live in those times.

For more information about OLG, visit www.onelovegeneration.org

To buy tickets to the The Hypnotist Fundraiser at Eddie's Attic on September 10th Click Here.

Meet Living by Giving Royalty: Jenna Edwards

I first met Jenna Edwards in New York City, while there to participate as a speaker in New York Entrepreneur Week.  As two young founders, we were set-up by a mutual friend to meet and chat about our respective experiences.  Little did I know, I was about to meet giving royalty.  After all, Jenna is a former beauty queen, a beautiful model, and has appeared on Oprah and in People.  But her royalty in my eyes comes from the thousands of children's lives she has changed through her For a Day Foundation. 

Upon first meeting, it didn't take long before we were comfortably sharing our fun and entertaining stories about our social entrepreneurial adventures.  Advice was exchanged and visions were shared.  Most significantly, a wonderful friendship was formed. 

I am so excited Jenna agreed to share a little about her story here...she is truly living by giving!

Kate: Hi Jenna, thanks for your time to share with us a little more about the For a Day Foundation.  I was so inspired by your story and your work, I really wanted to help spread the word.  Now, people should know that you started this organization 10 years ago, at the young age of 18.  It was then the Queen for a Day Foundation.  Tell us what you all do.

Jenna:  Yes, you are right we are now officially the For a Day Foundation and we are excited about this next chapter of growth in our organization.  The For a Day Foundation strives to offer respite for pediatric patients to remind them that they are still kids and all kids deserve the joy of play. 

Kate: So true. That sounds awesome. And you started this amazing organization 10 years ago at such a young age.  What was your inspiration to start the Foundation?Jenna and Rhanda

Jenna: As an 18-year-old Miss Teen All American, I just wanted to give back to my community. I knew as a beauty queen the joys of wearing a crown but there were many causes to support. I found my purpose in life while interning at the local Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.  It was there that I met 7-year-old brain tumor patient Rhanda. Her excitement and overall glow from receiving one of my tiaras was an inspiration and I decided to launch, Queen for a Day.

Kate:  I love it.  If I got to wear a tiara I would feel like a Queen too!  What a great way to use your recognition from the pageant to channel your desire to give back to help others. 

Jenna:  The launch of Queen for a Day enabled me to help so many young girls deal with self-esteem and self-image issues that I also dealt with in late high school/early college.  Ultimately, a little bit of positive attention goes a long way in uplifting the soul and when I started helping others, I noticed my own issues faded away.

Kate: It’s amazing how many people have gotten involved and wanted to help. How many chapters do you have now around the US?

Jenna: It’s been wonderful to see the response from people wanting to be involved! I never expected it would grow to this level!  We have 25 local chapters throughout the US and a partnership with a wish-granting foundation in South Africa, Reach for a Dream. Each chapter has anywhere from 5-50 volunteers consistently participating in hospital visits and fund-raisers. Over 10 years, we have reached over 4,500 kids!

Kate: That’s amazing. Let me ask, why is GIVING so important to you in your life?

Jenna: I almost died as a toddler. The airways in my lungs were being squeezed shut by swelling in the glands around them. I whistled when I inhaled and exhaled. My mother made a deal with God that she would make sure I was in church every Sunday if He would save me. After 8 doctors, we finally found one who took a different approach. Long story short, the medicine he gave me decreased the swelling and I eventually stopped whistling all together. To this day, we don’t know what caused it, but my mother instilled in me from that day forward that I was put on this earth to make a difference.

Giving is just my PURPOSE.

Kate:  I'm not sure you had told me that story.  Wow! You continue to amaze me.  And what a great purpose to have.  You are a dream-maker for these kids, so what is your dream for the Foundation?

Jenna: I get excited about the future, because the sky is the limit.  The For a Day Foundation has an opportunity to become a resource for hospitals and treatment facilities to outsource their alternative therapies. We would have professionals directing and developing therapies and offering them on a weekly basis to facilities. I can see opportunity for very special programs and events featuring patients outside of hospital visits too.

Kate: So as someone who has found her PURPOSE in her giving life, what advice would you give to someone who is looking to start giving back? 

Jenna:  Just do! I remember planning the first event with no thought of anyone saying no, with no thought of what happens next, with no fear of success. Let’s face it: we really aren’t afraid of failure; we’re afraid of success! So just “do” the moment, the impulse, the vision.

To learn more visit  www.QFAD.org and find out how to help a child with cancer.

Meet Micaela: 2010 Do Something Award finalist

Micaela Connery is only 23 and already winning top awards and walking red carpets - all for her amazing work in founding Unified Theatre.  I got to chat with Micaela as she was gearing up for the Do Something Awards out in LA.  These awards are the Oscars for young people committed to social change.  The winner is announced on July 19th during a star-studded event that airs live on VH1.  One of the five finalists, Micaela is both excited and anxious for the big night!

Oh and the winner is chosen by YOU. So...Click here to vote:  Do Something VOTE

Kate:  First off, congratulations on your Do Something nomination!!  This is one of the highest honors for young people making a difference in our world. Can you tell us a little about yourself and Unified Theater?  

Micaela and her cousin Kelsey

Micaela: Thanks Kate. I am 23 (and a fellow Wahoo!) born in Providence, Rhode Island.  I started Unified Theater when I was 15 at my high school in West Hartford, CT.  We work with middle and high school students to help them develop theater groups in their school that are entirely student-produced and feature kids with and without disabilities from across their school’s population. 

We also help other young people to begin "living by giving" by starting Unified Theater programs in their community.  We’ve worked with 1500 young people so far – but we’re hoping to work with 40,000 in 325 schools by 2015.

Kate: Love it! And I love how you are helping others play a role in the impact by starting a program in their own community!  So, what was your inspiration to start Unified Theatre?

Micaela: I started Unified Theater because of my cousin Kelsey.  Kelsey is only a couple months younger than I am and we spent a ton of time together as we grew up.  Even though Kelsey has developmental and physical disabilities, they haven’t defined her – Kelsey taught me to appreciate people for what they can do and meet them where they are if they need extra support. 

Kate: You and I both know how important it is to get involved in the community and help others.  Let me ask, why is Giving so important to you in your life?

Micaela: It might sound strange but – although I realize that I am giving back to the community – I think I’m really spoiled to be able to do Unified Theater.  I love being able to work with new people, help students take action in their communities, and do something I’m so truly passionate about – it never gets boring. 

Kate:  And now you are a finalist for one of the highest GIVING awards for young adults, the Do Something award.  Congratulations! How does it feel to be up for such an award?

Micaela: Yep, we're in the running for the Do Something Award right now - one of 5 under-25 led organizations that has won $10K and in the running to win $100K live on VH1 on July 19th (hosted by Glee's Jane Lynch – I LOVE Glee!).  We're the only organization nominated that serves people with disabilities and the only arts focused.  We’re hoping it will help people realize the value of student facilitated inclusion and arts accessibility.

YOU CAN VOTE HERE

Kate: Lastly, one of my favorite questions to ask is, ‘What is your Giving Dream?’ If money, time, and resources are no obstacle, what’s your dream for making the world a better place?

Micaela: My dream is to have Unified Theater be a program that is par for the course in middle and high schools – just like almost every school has a basketball team, a chorus, or a student council why shouldn’t they all have extracurricular programs that include kids with disabilities and is student-led. 

Kate: And people can start helping you and Unified Theatre RIGHT NOW.  It’s really easy to vote! 

Micaela, thank you so much for your time and your GIVING…I can't wait to watch on the 19th.

Don't forget, you can watch the 2010 Do Something Awards on VH1 July 19!