January 2012 Featured Charity: Operation Respect

LIVING PHILANTHROPIC’S JANUARY 2012 FEATURED CHARITY is OPERATION RESPECT!

FIRST $1,000 in contributions matched by State Farm’s Go To Bat Program and Anonymous Donor CYPHER!

Operation Respect is a non-profit organization working to assure each child and youth a respectful, safe and compassionate climate of learning where their academic, social and emotional development can take place free of bullying, ridicule and violence. Founded by Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary, the organization disseminates educational resources that are designed to establish a climate that reduces the emotional and physical cruelty some children inflict upon each other by behaviors such as ridicule, bullying and-in extreme cases-violence. It is a unique organization that provides a gateway to broad scale adoption of school-based character education as well as social and emotional learning (SEL) programs.

Toward this end, Operation Respect developed the Don’t Laugh at Me (DLAM) programs, one for grades 2-5, another for grades 6-8 and a third for summer camps and after-school programs. All of the programs utilize inspiring music and video along with curriculum guides based on the well-tested, highly regarded conflict resolution curricula developed by the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) of Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR). Thanks to the generosity of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Operation Respect disseminates the DLAM programs free of charge. More than 150,000 copies of the program have been distributed to educators since Operation Respect’s inception.

Operation Respect also offers assembly programs and professional development workshops designed to provide educators with the tools for effective implementation. To date, over 40,000 educators have participated in workshops throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit: http://operationrespect.org or To donate to team Living Philanthropic, please visit: http://www.crowdrise.com/lp-jan12

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Living Philanthropic was founded in April 2010 as one man’s mission to give to charity everyday for a year. This mission is built on a belief that you don’t have to be rich in dollars to make a difference; you only need to be rich in spirit. After completing his 365 day mission, the spirit of giving everyday carries on through his friends and in his mission to continue his micro-philanthropy for a second year.

Day 334: The Bully Project

While I was in Austin for SXSW, I did get to meet some cool people, one of them was Erica. She is marketing director for IndieGoGo, a crowdfunding site much like Kickstarter, a crowdfunding site where people can raise money for various projects. She was also kind enough to clue me into today’s give, The Bully Project. If we can replace bullying with respect and tolerance, we can begin moving towards a brighter future for our children. 

The Bully Project is a powerful grassroots movement to create safe communities for kids across America. Launching in spring 2011 with a new feature length documentary, directed by Sundance and Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, they will work with students, parents, teachers, and people like you to create resources and tools that will help turn the tide on the bullying crisis. The Bully Project will help educate and empower kids, teachers and parents to build stronger communities where empathy and respect rule…not the bullies.

Amount Donated: $10

To support the Bully Project, please visit: http://www.thebullyproject.com

Donations accepted here: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Bully-Project

Day 202: The Trevor Project

Suicide is not an acceptable answer to stop the bullying and discrimination. We need to support and protect our children in their most vulnerable time, there is enough pressure for a teen to fit in and be liked as it is. It is increasing more difficult for those youth who are LGBTQ,which is why the work The Trevor Project is doing is so important. I believe love and acceptance can go a long way. We are only here for a short time, why should we make each others’ lives more difficult. It will get better, if we make it better.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project was founded by writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life.

Acceptance
Inclusiveness is one of their mantras. They are rooted in the belief that everyone should be treated like a human being regardless of their sexual identity, gender, or race. They as an organization will not turn any one away who asks for help.

Commitment
They promise to deliver the best 24 hour 7 day a week telephone counseling for youth in crisis and to create a safe space, through our helpline and online, for LGBTQ youth. They promise to deliver our message of suicide prevention in schools throughout the country.

Innovation
They have been and will continue to be pioneers in reaching out to youth in crisis; whether it’s in schools, on the helpline or online. They will be stewards in nonprofit fundraising (events, Circle of Hope, direct mail campaigns).

Amount Donated: $10

To support The Trevor Project, please visit: http://www.thetrevorproject.org

Day 168: Climb Theatre

Bullying is not a new thing, it’s been around as long as humans have existed, but I am glad there is more light being shone on the problem in recent months. Hopefully, with more awareness and programs directed towards teaching kids how to respect their classmates, we can evolve towards a more promising educational environment. There are many programs out there dedicated to this idea, CLIMB Theatre happens to be one my friend Julie works for. They produce plays and classes tackling issues like bullying, respect, drug use, and more. For this reason, I am showing them my support. 

CLIMB Theatre, located in Inver Grove Heights (a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN), is a nationally recognized non-profit company that has provided programming to K-12 schools for 35 years.  CLIMB’s theatre artists write, produce and present plays and drama classes on topics like bullying, self-control, respect, friendship, acceptance of differences, methamphetamine-use prevention, and the environment.

CLIMB’s work is not only entertaining, it is educational.  Independent research done on their programs show that young people learn, and may change their thinking and even their behavior, because of CLIMB.

In the last school year, CLIMB reached nearly 300,000 students and their teachers in 1,250 schools, primarily in MN, but also in WI, IA, IL, MI, MT, ND, NE, SD, and CA.

CLIMB’s mission is: to create and perform plays, classes, and other creative works that inspire and propel young people toward actions that benefit themselves, each other, and the community.

Amount donated: $5

To support CLIMB Theater, please visit: www.climb.org