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!

Giving away your birthday: Taylor Swift style

    Last week I wrote about the new trend of giving back on your brithday, and shared how Alyssa Milano was giving away her 37th birthday to raise money and awareness for a clean water initiative. 

Today is Taylor Swift's turn.  I've become a big fan of Taylor Swift's this year...and not because of the Kanye episode.  I appreciate her singing her own songs, and using lyrics that honestly represents her age.  Also, one of my best friend's brother is actually the basist in her band - and he has spoken so highly of her for several years.  Like her music or not, you have to agree she is just a really impressive young gal. 

And this is even more impressive!! Taylor just celebrated her 20th birthday.  No longer a teen, she hosted a big party in her hometown with a Christmas theme.  Even cooler than the party was that she gave $250,000 away to schools in honor of her birthday and in appreciation for the great year she has had.  The money is being used to help pay for books, supplies, even teacher's salaries.  Simply awesome!  She did have a connection to each school she gave $$ to - stating, "something I wanted to do at the end of this amazing year and especially on my birthday was give back to something I really believe in, which is education."  She goes on to share,  "the schools that I went to and the amazing people I got to learn from really turned me into who I am, and I wanted to give back."

Happy Birthday Taylor.  What an amazing year you have had and thanks for remaining humble and helping others! 

Giving Away Your Birthday

   While people start to talk around the water cooler about the trends of 2009, I have one that tops the "Living by Giving" list -  The "Pay if Forward" birthday wish.  I've seen adults, teens, even little kids jump on this trend, turning their birthday celebrations into an opportunity to help others.  For my 31st birthday this year, I asked for people to donate $31 to Kates Club in lieu of gifts and cards.  Call me trendy if you want, but in the end we raised more than $5,000 for our cause. 

More recently I heard about a group of six teenage girls that are using their 16th birthdays to raise money for their favorite cause.  There will be a dj, fun foods, a dance floor...all the elements of a sweet sixteen, but instead of a gift table there will be a gift basket to collect cash donations. 

You can imagine my excitement when I read that Alyssa Milano was giving away her 37th birthday to help raise awareness and funds for her philanthropic passion: clean water.  Alyssa is someone who I grew up with on tv, and now I feel reconnected to her once again after having read about her birthday wish.  As someone proclaiming she has everything she wants and needs, her wish is simple:  "All I want is to provide life-giving water for 10 communities, 500 families and 2,500 people. In lieu of spending money on a party or presents, I'm asking people to donate to my Charity: Water campaign and help make my wish come true." Three words: Simple. Brilliant. Inspiring.

She shares more in a blog posted on Huffington Post. Read it here.

 

I'll share my top 10 "Best Giving Trends of 2009" list later this month.

Mary J. Blige Shares Her Struggles to Help Others

Mary J. Blige is a great artist, a pioneer in the hip hop music industry whom many have grown to love and respect.  But she has experienced great adversity along the way and has channeled a lot of her struggle through her music.  Mostly through her music in fact, until now. 

Just this week, Mary J. cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the Mary J. Blige Center for Women in Yonkers, New York.  I was so inspired by this piece I say on CNN.com.  She represents someone who has turned her own struggles into an opportunity for another woman to receive the help and support that didn't exist for her.  Yes, part of her gift was a nice big check...but as you will see in the video, she also gives us her story which is equally as inspirational and beneficial to the women who will walk through the doors of the new center.

For the full story on CNN.com click here.

Major TV Networks to Air PSAs on Volunteering

Even the big dogs are getting on our train.  Throughout the week of October 19-25 don't be surprised to see ramped up PSA's on all four major broadcast networks that will highlight volunteerism. Its all a part of the Entertainment Industry Foundation's volunteer initiative, iParticipate. 

Stars like Faith Hill have signed on to deliver the message to serve.  

Hill's PSA airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on NBC giving us a peek of what is to come.

Take a look, click here.

*Source People.com