“I had never heard these words prior to November 2007,” said Brett Horn, father of Charlie Horn. “Had I heard them, they likely wouldn’t have made an impact on me at the time. But the past 12 years of repeating these words and other child safety tips is the only way I can still connect with my son, Charlie.”

The past 12 years of Brett’s life have been an answer to the question: what do you do when the unimaginable happens? For Brett and Jenny Horn, the answer has been to dedicate their lives to help protect as many children as possible.

Charlie’s story

Charlie was a happy two and half year old - a triplet and one of four young children in the home of Brett and Jenny Horn. Brett and Jenny were educated, hard-working parents who appeared to have it all figured out.

As with most young families, their suburban Kansas City home was a busy place, full of dirty diapers, daily messes and toys everywhere you turned. They child-proofed their home in all the usual ways: they installed outlet covers and baby gates, raised blind cords up out of reach, secured cabinet doors and drawers, and covered sharp corners of coffee tables.

But an unexpected danger remained.

“We got the call no parent ever wants to get,” said Brett.

After waking from a nap one day, Charlie was tragically killed when a short child’s dresser, only 30” high, tipped over on top of him. There was an audio monitor in his room, but there was little or no crashing sound for their nanny to hear. Any sound Charlie made was buffered - trapped between the dresser and the floor - while his brother was still asleep in the same room.

The pain of losing a child is immeasurable. For the Horns, it was magnified by guilt, believing they could have prevented their son’s death.

“Had I taken the time out of my busy schedule to educate myself further about all home dangers to children, would Charlie still be alive?” asks Brett.

A House of Hope

In the midst of tragedy, Brett and Jenny found strength in caring for their three other children and use their experience to help others.

“The first thing we wanted to do was hide away from the world, but we had three other children we needed to raise and be parents to,” said Jenny. “We knew immediately we wanted to help families in some way, which is why we shared our story.”

The support and response they received to their story prompted the founding of a nonprofit, Charlie’s House. This facility is dedicated to educating families on home safety, including the risks and the accompanying safety measures that can prevent injury.

“At the time of the accident our family and friends began looking up tip-over accidents on the internet, and we were shocked by the number of children hurt and killed by this type of accident.”

The work of Charlie’s House, which has been supported by Charlie’s Grandfather Mark Plush, a retired State Farm agent, and with philanthropic support from the insurance company, has grown quickly. In the first year alone, the organization shared 10,000 furniture safety straps with families. They also assisted in passing a resolution in the Missouri state legislature to urge the enacting of federal safety standards for tip-prone furniture.

Since then, Charlie’s House has worked with many local, regional, and national safety and medical organizations on safety awareness initiatives. Annually, the organization has distributed more than 100,000 safety items and resources via online orders and local events. The Physician’s Alliance program, started by Charlie’s House in 2012, provides safety information to pediatric physicians’ and specialists’ offices to share with families.

There are many potential hazards in and around a household, and Charlie’s House shares information on all of them. This includes a checklist of simple home safety measures. Many risks from tipping furniture can be addressed by tethering furniture to the wall with special straps or brackets (available at many home stores) which are attached to wall studs. Drilling just a few small holes in the wall can make a big difference in the safety of one’s home.

Building for the future

The next big project ahead for the Horns and Charlie’s House is an actual house – a Safety Demonstration House. This simulation facility, open to the public, is expected to host over 80 events in the first year and provide tours to more than 1,500 individuals. Scheduled to open in early 2020, this one-of-a-kind facility will allow thousands of parents, caregivers and children to tour and learn about the many household threats and alternative safety ideas to help reduce risk. For example, visitors will walk through a kitchen, family room, bathroom, nursery and other living areas where potential problems may occur. Interactive areas will allow children to participate with hands-on activities to make the learning experience impactful.

“Once complete, Charlie's House will be the first safety demonstration home in the nation. A place where parents and caregivers can come to learn how to properly childproof their home,” said Brett.​

The work of safety awareness is never-ending. But Brett, Jenny, and the team that has grown to support Charlie’s House sees signs of progress. In 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released a statement indicating a reduction in ER visits for furniture tip overs from one every 24 minutes to one every 30 minutes.

A busy life of meaning

With three active kids - Jack (16), Brigit and Will (14 - Charlie's triplet siblings) - the Horn household is still a very busy place. The work of Charlie’s House has opened Brett and Jenny’s lives to a larger world of safety advocacy.

“In many ways, we have moved beyond the tragic accident into so many other arenas, where we are accomplishing our goal of preventing accidents to children in and around the home,” said Brett. “Twelve years later, there isn't a week that goes by that we don't hear from another family or media outlet about how our story may have helped prevent other accidents. It very much still keeps us connected to Charlie.”

“To Brett & Jenny, it’s about Charlie, but to you, it’s about Sam, or Emmie, the children in your lives,” said Jenny. ”What Charlie’s House represents is safety in the home.” Brett adds, “While it will always be named after our son, Charlie’s House isn’t about Charlie Horn… it’s about your Charlie.”

Important Tips To Protect Your Children In Your Home

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• Kid Safety
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The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood education, safety and community development projects.

Here’s how the easy process works:

Submission Phase: Starts June 5 and ends when 2,000 submissions are reached

Individuals can submit a cause at www.neighborhoodassist.com starting June 5. You can prepare now by going to the website and downloading the submission guide. We will accept the first 2,000 submissions. The State Farm Review Committee will then narrow the field to the top 200 finalists using a scoring rubric.

Voting Phase: Aug. 14-23

Ultimately, voters will decide which community improvement projects win big. The public will have a chance to vote 10 times a day, every day for 10 days, from Aug. 14-23, for their favorite causes from the list of finalists. Voting will take place at www.neighborhoodassist.com.

Winners Announced: Sept. 25

The 40 causes that receive the most votes will each win a $25,000 grant. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at www.neighborhoodassist.com.

“Neighborhood Assist is another example of how small acts can equal big impacts in communities all across the U.S.,” said Allison Bertsche, State Farm Public Affairs Director. “From identifying an important cause to rallying your community to vote for it, this program is all about neighbors helping neighbors.”

Last year, 167,000 people cast 4.5 million votes in support of their favorite causes, selecting winners from small towns and big cities.

Since the program began, State Farm has awarded $7 million to more than 250 organizations.

You might also be interested in:

• Breaking Barriers with Backpacks
• From Garbage to Gardens

The program awards $25,000 grants to 40 nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood education, safety and community development projects.

Here’s how the easy process works:

Submission Phase: June 6-June 15 or when 2,000 submissions are reached, whichever comes first

Individuals can submit a cause at www.neighborhoodassist.com from June 6-June15 or when 2,000 submissions are reached, whichever comes first. The State Farm Review Committee will then narrow the field to the top 200 submissions using a scoring rubric.

Voting Phase: Aug. 15-Aug.24

Ultimately, voters will decide which community improvement projects win big. The public will have a chance to vote 10 times a day, every day for 10 days from August 15-August 24 for their favorite causes from the list of finalists. Voting will take place at www.neighborhoodassist.com.

Winners Announced: Sept. 25

The 40 causes that receive the most votes will each win a $25,000 grant. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 25 at www.neighborhoodassist.com.

“Neighborhood Assist is another example of how State Farm is successfully turning caring into doing in communities all across the U.S.,” said Ed Woods, State Farm Director-Human Resources. “From identifying an important cause to rallying your community to vote for it, this program is all about neighbors helping neighbors.”

Last year, 119,000 people cast 3.1 million votes in support of their favorite causes, selecting winners from small towns and big cities.

Since the program began, State Farm has awarded $6 million to more than 200 organizations.

You might also be interested in:

• The Sound of Hope
• Childhood Poverty Just A Stone’s Throw Away
• Bridging Divides Through Art And Theater
• A Young Life Lost: A Legacy of Safety

Her parents noticed the talkative six-year-old was unusually quiet and deep in thought. When they asked her what was wrong, she told them about a troubling experience at school that day.

During the scheduled reading period, one of her friends had struggled, slowly sounding out simple words and stumbling over simple phrases. Evelyn told her parents how embarrassed her friend was to not be able to read like the other students. Evelyn wondered out loud what she could do to help her friend become a better reader.

According to a study in early 2017 by the U.S. Department of Education, about 14 percent (32 million adults) of the population struggles with reading.

Evelyn is lucky. Both of her parents are educated and have worked in the teaching profession. As the small family began to discuss Evelyn’s friend, an idea began to form. Both parents had noticed Evelyn and her younger sister reading together.

Snuggled on the couch, Evelyn would often read a book and then instruct her sister to read it back to her. There was an undeniable bond and comfort level between the two sisters that made the experience special.

Evelyn’s parents approached Alan Neitzel, a family member and executive director of the ARC Foundation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with an idea. The Read It Again program was born.

Here’s how it works: Read It Again libraries were established in several Oklahoma City high schools. The high school students are encouraged to take a book home and read it to their younger brother or sister. Once they finished reading the book, it’s the younger sibling’s turn to read the book to the older sibling. Hence, Read It Again!

The program provides a simple solution that establishes an early literacy-based foundation for the development of basic reading skills. This is accomplished through reading repetition and a level of comfort that only siblings can share.

An American Educational Research Association study showed a student who can't read at their grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently. Add poverty to the mix, and a student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time than his or her proficient, wealthier peer.

“We know that parents with low literacy skills are less likely to share books with their children,” said Neitzel. “When we can get siblings to read together, a foundation of reading and understanding is built and a comfort level with literacy can open many doors!”

Students without a sibling who wish to participate in Read It Again are also given the opportunity to be part of the program. They are partnered with a child from a local elementary school who is struggling and then, supervised by a teacher, begin the Read It Again process.

Neitzel says the results of the program have been outstanding. “Parents report the younger children who take part in the program are gaining more comprehensive reading skills, and becoming more confident. In addition, there is a better bond between their children.”

The Foundation won a State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant in 2016 to help support the Read It Again program.

By age 20, Moriah was married with a newborn.

“I was young and had no idea how to be a parent, so I went to Our Place,” says Moriah. “Our Place is run by Catholic Charities and taught me about birthing a baby and being a good mom.”

Moriah became a stay-at-home mom and wanted to eventually become a personal assistant. “I took care of my great aunt while my daughter was little,” explained Moriah. “I’m good at keeping people organized and on task.”

Moriah became inspired when nurses put her great aunt on a special diet. She began researching nutrition, which got her thinking further. “My great aunt is not the only person who needs help with nutrition,” thought Moriah. “Others need support.”

After hearing of Moriah’s new-found interest, an Our Place social worker told Moriah about the New Hampshire Food Bank’s culinary training program. The Catholic Charities program, supported by State Farm, is a free initiative offered to low-to-moderate income individuals. Moriah quickly enrolled.

“We learned everything from how to properly chop vegetables to how to efficiently manage time,” says Moriah. “The chef tells us what to do, but it’s up to us to get it done in a timely manner. He has confidence in his students and that makes us feel good. I never did anything in the culinary field before, but I left class feeling totally confident in my abilities.”

Since 2008, 425 students have graduated from the culinary training program, which is a full-time, eight week program. Ninety-two percent of participants complete the program.

Moriah graduated in 2013. “The program solidified what I wanted to do,” she explains. “I was young and wasn’t sure, but they helped send me in the right direction and changed everything for me.”

Moriah worked several years in school kitchens. “I helped feed students and loved it,” she says. “It was a great learning experience.”

Then, Moriah got a call from Chef Jayson at the Food Bank. He was looking for a new production assistant. Moriah jumped at the opportunity.

She now helps instruct culinary students in the course from which she graduated. “I get to interact with people all day,” she says. “I help the students feel good about the skills they’re learning.” Moriah also assists in catering for community-based functions, such as a local cancer walk or an event welcoming new residents to New Hampshire.

Moriah has also brought her teaching skills to her own kitchen. She taught her 10 year old daughter how to use the stove and grill. She now plans and makes dinners most nights for the family.

“I couldn’t imagine being in any other field,” says Moriah. “One good meal can change someone’s entire outlook for the day. I love being that smiling face and handing a person a good, healthy meal. This is what I was meant to do.”

Hunter was full of energy, friendly to all and well-liked in return. He excelled at soccer and other outdoor pursuits, but offered the world more than his gift in sports. Kids gravitated toward Hunter for his well-rounded personality, compassion and zest for life. In 2009, with his whole life ahead of him, the future was bright as he prepared to enter high school.

Two days after freshman orientation, Hunter joined a group of teens and one parent for a camping trip. The next day, on the way home, tragedy struck. This crash was the consequence of a series of poor choices and could have very easily been prevented.

First, the supervising parent asked his 17 year old son to drive a group of teens. The teen's license was still subject to California's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws.

Second, the teen driver did not resist his father's request and none of the other teens objected. Finally, with a toxic mix of distractions and reckless driving, the inexperienced driver lost control of his vehicle. The cost of these bad decisions was the life of one young teen.

After Hunter's death, it took his family about two years before they could even consider sharing their pain and suffering with others. "Given the depths of despair and level of pain that we felt, you would do anything to prevent it from happening to any other family" his mom, Leeana explained.

She has since dedicated her life to teen driver safety education. "Saving lives is why I am doing it," she says.

Leeana decided to join forces with non-profit, Impact Teen Drivers (ITD). ITD, with support from State Farm, hopes to create a driving culture free of distractions. Based in Sacramento, California, they provide materials and presentations to schools for the benefit of parents and teens.

During the ITD workshops in Northern California, Leeana, one of their presenters, reminds her audience, “being a good kid has nothing to do with being an experienced driver.” Hunter was in a car with a good kid behind the wheel.

Two-thirds through the presentation, after the audience has watched a video about Hunter's story (video: parent version/ teen version), Leeana steps back on stage and reintroduces herself as Hunter's mom. This late reveal makes an emotional impact on the audience.

People assume presenting Hunter's story is part of the healing process for Leeana and her family. "It is hard, relieving the worst part of my life repeatedly," she explains. "It was anything but therapeutic. Only now, years later, has it become a little easier."

Leeana emphasizes that saving lives is everyone's responsibility. Parents, in particular, are at the heart of the solution to keeping kids safe.

In Leeana's experience, parents are not always informed about GDL laws in their state. It is imperative parents know the laws and "enforce the laws in their own home, every time with no exceptions," she insists. With engaged parents leading by example it is possible to reduce teen driver crashes.

Find your state’s GDL law @ http://st8.fm/findGDL

The culture and laws have changed when it comes to wearing seat belts, using child passenger safety seats, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. As a result, lives have been saved. Leeana knows GDL laws are critical to saving more lives. GDL is a critical tool, and if properly implemented and supported, will help combat distracted and reckless driving.

Joe McGhee of Jacksonville, Fla., knows because his 17-year-old son, Jared, who has autism, longed to fit in.

“He became more socially well-adjusted in school after he was paired with his Buddies,” says Joe. “His Buddy, Todd, spends time with him. And he has a better time at school having a friend to do stuff with and pal around with at lunch and other events.”

Jared has benefited from his association with Best Buddies, an organization that assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization helped him cultivate friendships, learn how to conduct job searches and perfect communication skills.

Best Buddies International, founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, serves people with Down Syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Erika Hatch, area director for Best Buddies in Jacksonville, Fla., says the organization pairs students with and without disabilities at the beginning of the school year so the friendship has time to develop.

“We also do an assessment of the students’ likes and needs to pair them up. Friendships start to form and many wind up being friends for life,” she says. “The students sometimes have lunch together and text or call each other during the week.”

“Best Buddies has given my son the confidence to learn to speak up during group situations and attend dance socials with Todd, and other Best Buddies,” McGhee says. “Best Buddies also encourages Jared to have more one-on-one relationships with his peers. They host various events throughout the year that allow Jared and his Buddies to have fun at gatherings and on friendship walks.”

Todd, a junior in high school, comes to the McGhee’s home to hang out and play video games with Jared, who is a senior. The two attend the same high school and have been buddies for three years.

“I think the staff at Best Buddies really cares for all the participants and volunteers,” McGhee adds. “They’re always looking for folks to be Best Buddies.”

He, too, is active in the organization, both as a parent and as a State Farm^® agent.

Best Buddies hosts a major fund-raiser called Best Buddies Night of Champions. Supporters sponsor a table and encourage others to attend the celebration.

McGhee says Best Buddies has changed his son.

“Jared has become more socially well-adjusted and verbal since connecting with Best Buddies,” he says. “I’m proud of him and the progress he has made.”

So the young boy from Palmdale, CA ran a successful coat drive campaign last year. The now 10 year old Harrison is once again collecting coats for a local homeless shelter in time for the holidays.

How it all started

Harrison, now a fifth grader at Gregg Anderson Academy, asked his mom Melissa to help get the word out by posting a request for coat donations on Facebook.

When Melissa told her boss, State Farm Agent Todd Main, about Harrison’s quest, Todd offered his office as a drop-off point for the donations. He also posted information about the coat drive on his Facebook business page. That first year, Harrison collected 254 coats.

This past summer, Harrison found out the Grace Resources Center, the organization he collects the coats for, was having to cut back on services for the homeless due to limited funding. So Harrison asked his mom “What is a gala?”

“I explained to him it was sort of a fancy party you host to fundraise for a charity,” said Melissa.

Harrison and Melissa planned a fundraising Gala to raise funds and collect coats. Family, friends and the community helped support the duo as they organized the dinner which included live entertainment, an auction and dancing.

He called the gala “Tap into Your Heart and Do Good.” The event was held in October at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds and raised more than $8,000 for the center. The funds are being used to help serve hot meals to those in need.

And Harrison is at it again. He is collecting coats for the homeless and Agent Main’s offices in Lancaster and Palmdale are once again drop-off points. As of Dec. 1, 76 coats have been collected!

“Harrison is a great example of what being a good neighbor is all about,” said Todd. “This young man turns caring into doing.”

Follow Harrison’s example. Give back to your community. Check out NeighborhoodofGood.com to find volunteer opportunities near you.

“At the time my daughter was diagnosed, I had no idea what autism was,” Westra says. “I learned the future for people with autism was challenging, with 90 percent being unemployed.”

She started the nonprofit, Autism Shifts, to provide employment and community integration opportunities for people on the spectrum.

“While many people with autism are talented individuals with amazing skills, they have some challenges with social and communication skills and multi-tasking. They can learn or improve some of these skills at the Artistas Café,” shared Westra, the founder of the Café.

Artistas Café provides real-world training and employment in a safe environment for people diagnosed with autism. The café, formerly located in an auto dealership in Tampa, Fla., is now a mobile café, thanks in part to a grant from State Farm^®.

^“The mobile Café will allow Artistas to take its program into the community to schools, businesses, and events,” Westra said. “Not only will it provide gourmet beverages and foods, but it also will allow us to deliver our Autism Ready Educational Program. We believe this will accelerate our mission to create an Autism Ready Community.”

Arlo Henderson discovered the unique café during a routine car service appointment. After visiting the café, the Tampa, Fla., State Farm® agent was so impressed with the customer service he became a board member for Autism Shifts, the nonprofit that runs it.

“I loved that Artistas Café looks at what people with autism can do instead of what they cannot do. They call it finding their ‘uniqabilities,’” he says. “I always like to find people’s strengths and help them understand how they can best use them.”

Henderson is one of the many business people helping make Westra’s vision a reality. He previously had an autistic team member in his office who helped him see everyone struggles with communication at one time or another.

“My team member helped me better understand how much value every individual can bring to the workplace,” Henderson says. “He also helped me personally grow as a manager and leader.”

Because of the success of the Café, the vision has expanded to establish an Artistas Development Center. It is designed to serve individuals on various levels of the autism spectrum.

“I’m working with business partners, including doctors, engineers and nutritionists to help create the Center,” Henderson adds. “When people understand the unique skills and abilities people with autism bring to the table, they will be eager to hire them.”

Amber, a State Farm Scholar, attends Georgia State University - Perimeter College in Decatur, GA, a commuter campus. Something she once never thought possible.

“Before my guidance counselor suggested this opportunity to me, I was wondering how I would pay for school and if I would even attend college because of my financial situation,” said Whitehead.

Thanks to the scholarship program, Amber is able go after her dreams…and her passions. “I have a passion for helping others in as many ways as I possibly can. I love giving back and making a change within my community,” remarked Amber.

Part of the expectation of the scholarship is the scholars volunteer within the community. In fact, all 50 scholars volunteered during the annual Hands On Atlanta Day.

On a warm October Saturday with 3,000 other volunteers, they completed 64 projects across metro Atlanta. Projects focused on food insecurity, homelessness, youth development, senior citizen support, and community beautification.

Elaine Hudson, Associate Director with Hands On Atlanta, coordinated the volunteer projects and was particularly impressed with the State Farm Scholars.

“They were energetic, enthusiastic and ready to volunteer. I could tell they wanted to be there; they were eager to help,” said Elaine.

The scholars volunteered at schools in Decatur where the majority of students are on free or reduced lunches. Fifteen scholars worked at Southwest DeKalb High School where they built a community garden and picnic tables. The other 35 scholars were at Columbia Elementary School where they painted and landscaped. Many of the scholars are alumni of the two schools.

“Even though I graduated from another high school, I was always helping out at Southwest DeKalb throughout my years in high school. I consider it my second school,” shared Amber.

The scholars don’t just volunteer one day a year. They adopted a Boys & Girls Club in South DeKalb County where they help with homework and tutoring being in Spring 2018.

As for Amber, she wants to make it her life’s work to continue giving back – as a teacher. Her first goal is to get a Bachelor’s degree and teach high school mathematics. Then, onward and upward, ultimately obtaining a Master’s degree and becoming a college professor.

“My mother, a single parent, has always stressed to me the importance of education,” Amber said. “If it were not for State Farm, I would not be in college at this very moment heading to success.”

But unlike most youth, Jacob has a hidden hurdle to overcome on the path to achieving his dreams. He spent the last five years in the foster system, and is now leaving the system to start out on his own.

Memories of Family and Making New Connections

Before entering the foster system at age 16, Jacob remembers a family life that influenced his current path.

“My best memories are of cooking with my family. There was peace in the house when the family cooked,” Jacob reminisced. “I can remember being nine years old, helping my mom cook dessert for Thanksgiving, helping Dad with the turkey, and making a honey glaze with brown sugar for the ham.”

But Jacob’s life took a sudden turn when he went into foster care as a teenager due to abuse and neglect. “Before I entered foster care, all I was used to was my family. I didn’t understand how the state could take me and my brothers and sisters away from our home. It was a really traumatic time in my life.”

The trauma of being separated from your family can carry a high risk for foster youth. Compared to their non-foster peers, foster youth are at a much greater risk for a variety of financial and personal issues. For Jacob, a key step was connecting with Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which serve the greater Kansas City, Mo., area.

“I met my CASA Volunteer, Katie, when I first came into care at age 16,” Jacob said. “Then, in 2015, I started working with CASA’s program to help older foster youth become financially independent.”

The Risks for Foster Youth

Many foster youth out on their own for the first time lack adequate education and role models for good financial practices. This puts them at a high risk for missteps that can cause long-term problems.

“Foster youth can become victims of many financial schemes including payday loans, rental scams, rent-to-own furniture stores, telephone scams, pyramid schemes, identity theft, and high-interest credit cards and loans,” says Kathryn Hartzler, Jackson County CASA’s Older Youth Specialist.

Even if a foster youth avoids such threats, they may lack basic information about the costs of utilities and other expenses beyond the cost of rent. Foster teens who fall into these traps are at risk for eviction, homelessness, and vehicle repossession. One poor decision can ruin their credit for years to come, devastating their financial future and self-esteem.

“Many youth ‘age out’ of the system feeling like they have to prove to the world that they can make it on their own,” says Kathryn. “If they fail to achieve the successes their peers experience, it can cause emotional turmoil. That can lead to relapses in previous harmful behaviors (such as substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, and self-harming behaviors) which can spiral into further issues.

CASA Fills the Gap

“Not a single teen leaves foster care wanting to fail,” says Kathryn. “But many youth fail when leaving custody because no one took the time to explain to them the basic financial skills parents usually teach their kids.”

To help fill this missing piece of the puzzle, Jackson County CASA introduced its Employment and Financial Literacy Program in 2015. The program, which is supported by State Farm, teaches teens about the financial realities of adulthood while coaching them as they navigate life decisions.

For every teen who enters this program, CASA conducts a life skills assessment every six months. Then the teen’s CASA volunteer, case supervisor, attorney, and Older Youth Specialist develop an action plan and goals to meet the needs of that specific teen.

“Many people have the same expectations of foster youth as they do for their peers who grew up in safe and permanent homes,” says Kathryn. “CASA volunteers and staff recognize success may look different for our older foster youth compared to their peers who did not experience the trauma of the foster care system.”

CASA volunteers are already familiar with each youth’s past, having worked with them for long periods. That knowledge, combined with an array of services and workshops, gives every teen in the CASA Older Foster Youth program the tools they need to succeed and overcome their specific obstacles.

Since the program began in 2015, Jackson County CASA’s Older Youth Specialist has provided direct financial and employment education to more than 75 youths in the Kansas City area.

The Ingredients for a Better Tomorrow

For Jacob, the understanding, sense of connection, and tools provided by Jackson County CASA has helped open doors to a better future.

“Kathryn and my CASA Volunteer, Katie, taught me how to budget and go grocery shopping for myself. They also connected me to food pantries and thrift stores to stretch my budget and taught me a lot of independent living skills. I feel a lot more positive energy now thanks to them.”

The basic ingredients of financial stability are helping Jacob connect to his future goals.

“Now that I have aged out at age 21, things are better,” says Jacob. “I can go places by choice, instead of the state making me. I can be myself and I am more in control of my situation. I’m working part-time right now, and am overjoyed that Kathryn is making it possible for me to go to Job Corps for training as a culinary professional.”

“My goal is to finish my culinary arts certification and get my GED and then my Associates degree in business. That’s a ‘big man step’ that will make it possible for me to work anywhere.”

With his own dreams now coming into focus, Jacob is also feeling inspired to give back. “CASA has been a great learning experience. I love Katie and Kathryn! I would someday like to mentor teenagers the way they have helped me.”

Five years ago, Kelly Brooks was in the same boat. She looked around at the vast number of non-profit organizations and volunteer opportunities in her large southern city and was overwhelmed. She knew there had to be a way to make it easier to connect.

So, drawing on her years as NASCAR marketing director, she did what she does best….she started creating relationships and partnerships with Charlotte nonprofits. Her idea was to create a platform where the Charlotte community could easily engage with local nonprofits.

“I decided that if I was having a hard time figuring out how to navigate the local nonprofit scene, then other people probably were too,” Brooks said. “My idea for SHARE Charlotte is for it to be a local one-stop shop for the community to find ways to plug in and make an impact.”

SHARE Charlotte’s website launched in December 2012 with 87 nonprofit partners. Today, SHARE Charlotte includes more than 440 nonprofits, all of them serving Mecklenburg County.

In addition to providing an easy-to-use platform for community engagement, SHARE offers nonprofits skills workshops, networking, and collaboration opportunities.

One of the most prominent collaborations is the annual giving campaign: #GivingTuesdayCLT.

In 2014, Brooks and SHARE Charlotte saw the Giving Tuesday movement as a way to unify local nonprofits and rally the community around a common goal … Doing Good.

This year’s #GivingTuesdayCLT, runs Nov. 14-28 with more than 230 nonprofit partners. SHARE Charlotte hopes to inspire the community to raise $10 million dollars for these local organizations

“We were all blown away after last year’s campaign,” Brooks said. “To see our city rally together around something so positive was truly inspirational.”

“When SHARE Charlotte began in 2012, I don’t think we could have predicted a movement like #GivingTuesdayCLT,” Brooks continued “It is certainly an indication the people of our community care and want to Do Good to make Charlotte better for everyone.”

Inspired by SHARE Charlotte? Want to find volunteer opportunities near you? Check out Neighborhood Of Good, search by your zip code and volunteer away!

That’s what parade-goers saw and felt when more than 100 motorcyclists escorted a white, cargo van down an Albany, street. The parade kicked off the van’s arrival at The Vet House, but also signified a new beginning for homeless veterans.

The Vet House, operated by the Albany Housing Coalition, is a transitional residence, providing safe, temporary housing for veterans in need.

“We can provide housing for up to 28 individuals at a time, which helps reduce homelessness among veterans,” says Albany Housing Coalition Executive Director Joe Sluszka.

The Coalition owns 15 properties, including 57 apartment units. “Veterans typically stay at The Vet House for around nine months, but some need to stay up to a year and half,” explains Joe. “Afterwards, they move to permanent housing, either at our facility or somewhere else. The coalition helps subsidize their rent, if needed.”

This is where the van comes in.

Brand name stores often donate household goods, such as televisions and furniture, to the veterans moving into their new homes. Transporting these items was a challenge.

State Farm and H&V Collision Center teamed up to help. The result is a donated, refurbished van helping move homeless veterans into stable, permanent housing.

“This has been a lifesaver for us and our veterans,” says Joe. “Additionally, our maintenance team uses the van to carry tools and supplies to ensure our properties are in top shape.”

The Coalition, which has been in existence more than 20 years, provides other assistance for veterans aside from the Vet House. Legal services, employment programs, and peer support groups are offered. Case management teams also help veterans regain their independence by connecting them with healthcare resources to obtain physical, mental, and drug and alcohol addiction treatment.

“We were alerted to an older veteran who was living in the woods,” says Joe. “After approaching him, we learned his story. He had owned a roofing business and raised a family. After he and his wife divorced, he turned to alcohol. Everything spun out of control. He lost his business and home and no longer saw his kids. We were able to bring him to The Vet House and secured him a job installing the roof on the state capitol building. During that time, he got healthier and reconnected with his adult son. He and his son bought a house together and now own a successful roofing business.”

The Coalition supports approximately 500 veterans a year and some of their programs have been used as national models. They also won the coveted VA Secretary’s Award in 2013 for outstanding service to homeless veterans.

“I love the impact we’re having on the community, specifically for our veterans in need,” adds Joe.

Kyle Kiihnl spent Saturday night doing things typical 17-year-olds do. He and a friend went to a fast-food restaurant for a late-night snack.

“Kyle was walking home with his friend around 12:30 a.m.” says Kyle’s mother Joni Fox. “Kyle’s friend was going to spend the night at our house. He and Kyle were childhood buddies. They were only a few blocks from home.”

Without warning, a pick-up truck jumped the curb and plowed into them. The teenage driver had fallen asleep.

Joni got a phone call telling her there had been an accident. She immediately went to the crash site and found out Kyle had been transported to the hospital. Later at the E.R., she was told they were unable to save him.

“He was a great kid to be around,” says Joni. “He was an award-winning wrestler before this tragedy. He was an exceptional student. Kyle enjoyed restoring his 1974 Firebird and playing the guitar. He loved anything to do with computers.”

His family and friends do not want his early death to be his legacy. They created the Kyle W. Kiihnl Memorial Foundation in his memory. The mission is to raise awareness of the dangers of drowsy driving.

Kyle's aunt, Kathi Wright, does most of the public speaking on behalf of the Foundation. Her audience is students at local high schools and driving schools.

There are 368,000 drowsy driving crashes per year,” says Kathi. “That number is unacceptable. These crashes are preventable.”

The Foundation focuses on young drivers, age 16 – 25, as they are five times more likely to drive drowsy.

In the early years of the Foundation, many people told Kathi, “I don’t care about your cause. We all drive drowsy at times.”

But things are starting to turn around. The Tennessee Department of Transportation agreed to share their message. “Finally someone listened,” she says. "Please Don't Drive Drowsy" displays on interstate message boards across the state.

Also, traffic safety experts now consider it one of the four D’s of dangerous driving. "Drunk, Drugged, Distracted and Drowsy." In each case, “D” also stands for dangerous.

Kyle’s mom, grandmother, and a board of volunteers are involved in the work of the Foundation as well. “A drowsy driver took the only boy in our family and he was awesome,” says Grandmother Kate Brown.

The Foundation, which is supported financially by State Farm and local agents like David J. Ross, hosts a 5K race as a fundraiser each year. The theme is "get a good night's sleep." Participants wear pajamas. A local store gives away a mattress. The funds go towards scholarships in Kyle’s honor.

Flashback a few years, the Atlanta native had an ambitious dream but needed help to get there. “I’ve been scribbling women’s fashion designs on paper since I was a toddler. My mother who raised me all by herself had a unique sense of style. That’s how I really developed my passion for fashion,” shared Cedric. “By fifth grade, I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer.”

In high school, he took art classes and won several awards. Later, he graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a BA in Fashion Design, and completed internships in New York and Hong Kong.

His hard work and talent paid off. He got freelance work with a popular children’s clothing line getting amazing professional design experience. “That’s when I decided to follow my passion and start my business, Cedric Brown Collections,” Cedric said.

He enrolled in Operation HOPE’s Entrepreneur Training Program, which is supported by State Farm, after his cousin went through the program.

“My cousin saw I wanted to start my own business, but I wasn’t completely secure with the concept of running a business,” Cedric explained. “I immediately loved the program. I learned everything from how to structure and run my business to how to market and obtain capital.”

“I was surrounded by entrepreneurs along the same path. We all learned from each other, just as much as we learned from the program.”

Cedric Brown Designs is doing very well but the young artist is not done yet. “I would like to leave a mark on the fashion industry as one of the most fashion forward brands of the South,” said Cedric. “My designs are in some Atlanta and Savannah-based boutiques but I want my designs in every major department store in the South eventually.”

Cedric’s current situation is a far cry from where things started for the first-generation college graduate. He is thankful for the opportunities he was given and is determined to inspire and encourage other dreamers to work hard and live their dreams too.

“Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, I started to realize I’ve become somewhat of a role model to others. So, I’ve returned to HOPE to share my experience with aspiring entrepreneurs,” Cedric shared. “My goal is to help young entrepreneurs by volunteering with Operation HOPE just as others did for me.”

“There are many bright, talented young people in communities around the nation—essentially our next generation of business builders who need the tools to make their big ideas come to life,” said John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. “We are pleased to empower young entrepreneurs, like Cedric, with the support of our small business development programming offered through our HOPE Inside model.”

Unfortunately, carrots are not everywhere. You’re more likely to find fast food and bags of chips than carrots in a food desert.

Food deserts, found all around the country, are areas where there’s no or limited access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food, like carrots. These areas are often low-income neighborhoods where people can’t afford cars.

For many Americans, a trip to the grocery story is a breeze. You just hop in your car and you’re on your way. Imagine being a senior citizen or a single mom with two toddlers without a car on a fixed income. And the closest grocery store is two miles away.

What is a simple chore for some is instead a grueling walk carrying multiple, heavy bags.

“A lot of low-income families and seniors in the neighborhood can’t afford cars, so they walk to the corner convenience store or fast food place to get high fat, sodium and sugar filled processed food. This is often their only choice,” says Darren Chapman, president of TigerMountain.

TigerMountain, a foundation in South Phoenix, not only grows fruits and vegetables in local gardens, but educates the community about healthy food. The foundation provides options for families to get involved in feeding themselves and taking care of their health.

“We are here to help people grow their own healthy food, leave the unhealthy choices behind and live their best life,” says Chapman.

Not only is fresh food hard to come by in food deserts, it’s often more costly than in food-rich neighborhoods. The price almost doubles for the same food items.

But the problems don’t stop at the pocketbook. Diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure are some of the many health problems low-income families in food deserts face.

TigerMountain is not only trying to make local residents healthier but also bring the community together. Neighbors work together to grow and distribute the fresh food. Young and old are getting involved in the process and the rewards are beneficial for everyone.

“My children introduced me to TigerMountain. They worked in the gardens before I did,” says Jerome Taylor. “Our community is a diverse mix of people and the garden is a meeting place where we all come together and get along. There is peace in our gardens. It’s stress free.”

“I like working at the gardens because I like meeting people,” says DaRon Stafford. “A lot of people come for a visit to one of our gardens and end up participating in the program.”

With funding help from State Farm, the TigerMountain team and local communities are changing the quality of life for low-income families in the Phoenix area. Together, they are building more than a sense of community, they are introducing children to carrots and other vegetables and fruits. And those foods taste especially good when they grow them themselves!

With the help of a grant given by State Farm, the non-profit group Generation tXt was formed in 2008 by a group of Booker T. Washington High School students and parents in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The group was concerned about the negative consequences texting and driving was having on their friends and families.

The original teens involved in the program understood car crashes are the number-one cause of death among their peers, and their friends were 23 times at greater risk of crash due to texting while driving.

Carol Bush, the executive director of Generation tXt, was one of the parents who had a teen preparing to drive. “We thought it would be helpful to get a group of like-minded teens together who could really have an impact on their peers,” Bush said.

Generation tXt was born.

The diverse group of students developed their own identity. They prepared logos, banners, social media content, and talking points they used to share their message to other students: not to text while driving.

The program spread to additional schools in the Tulsa area and the teens began to share their message with community groups and driving schools. They were having a positive impact in Oklahoma and, as a result, many of their peers were putting down the phone.

Then something unusual happened. Generation tXt Coordinator Christy Blystone explains. “The teens in the group kept pushing to have a bigger impact. One day we were talking about the fact Oklahoma was one of only five states without a texting and driving ban.”

The teens took that fact a little hard and began planning their next mountain to climb – a trip to the Oklahoma Capitol to advocate for a new law.

The Generation tXt students, parents, and sponsors all piled into cars for the trip to Oklahoma City, a trip they would make many times over the years.

“We literally knocked on the doors of our senators and representatives, talking with anyone who would listen about the dangers of texting and driving,” said then-student Juliann Thomison. “We knew we had to be brief and convince them they could play a part in saving the lives of Oklahomans.”

For four years the students made the trip to the Capitol, pushing, pleading, prodding and hoping for success. And for four years, texting and driving legislation stalled out and died. Several of the Generation tXt students graduated, but there were always new students to take up the quest.

Finally in 2015, their consistent work and visits began to pay off.

State Representative Terry O’Donnell noticed the students in the Capitol and was impressed by the way they lobbied his fellow legislators. “The Governor challenged our legislature to send her a bill that would protect people by banning texting and driving,” O’Donnell said. “Bills have a way of dying off from lack of momentum but they (Generation tXt) would not let that die.”

Sensing victory in the air, a coalition of supporters, including Generation tXt, pushed hard and made sure Oklahoma House Bill 1965 gained enough traction to finally garner the votes needed.

The students were present in the gallery when the final vote was taken. A cheer went up as the gavel cracked and the bill was passed. Thanks to hard work and the commitment of Generation tXt, Oklahoma became the 46^th state to ban driver texting.

“Without their help and support, I don’t think we would have gotten it passed at all,” Representative O’Donnell confirmed.

Many would think this is the end of the story, but Generation tXt continues to teach and advocate for stronger laws, prepared to accept the next challenge to keep Oklahomans safe.

“When those kinds of things get exposed to the light of day, it recognizes that we are all the same,” shared Randy David, Superintendent of Schools.

As the education program grew more popular, they needed additional funds to reach all the interested students.

The director of the program heard about a crowdsourced grant program that connects individuals and communities with local non-profits to build safer, stronger, and smarter communities, State Farm Neighborhood Assist ® (SFNA).

And, in 2016, they won one of those 40 grants. The grant dollars went primarily to providing food and transportation for the summer programs. The results - reaching more students more often.

Together, the Franke Center education program and State Farm are providing Albion and Marshall youth with more opportunities to learn with and from each other.

Check out the SFNA website to find out if any causes won grants in your community – the 40 winners will be announced Sept. 28, 2017.

You might also be interested in:

• The Sound Of Hope
• Childhood Poverty Just A Stone’s Throw Away
• A Young Life Lost: A Legacy of Safety

“I remember being excited the night before,” Michele recalls.

That feeling of excitement was the last thing Michele remembered when she woke up days later in the hospital.

Michele and Brooke never made it to the lake house. They were in a car crash. Severely injured, Michele had several fractures, a bleeding spleen, respiratory failure and a head injury. She spent several days in ICU in a drug-induced coma.

Brooke was in the center position of the back seat strapped into a rear-facing, convertible car seat. She suffered no injuries.

How did Brooke come away from the crash unscathed when Michele almost lost her life?

Just weeks prior to the crash, Michelle attended a Safe Kids luncheon. A career firefighter and EMT, she was also a part-time educator with the Cobb County Fire Department. She wanted to learn how to protect her daughter and others in the community.

The luncheon presenters used her car seat for demonstration. It took them less than an hour to show how to properly install the car seat.

“I had it placed behind the driver seat, not tight enough and the harness straps were too high. We finally placed it in the middle. This literally saved Brooke’s life, since I was hit on my driver side with a 29" intrusion,” Michele said. “It was embarrassing to find out that I had it installed all wrong. But those 45 minutes saved my daughter’s life.”

The experience left Michele eternally grateful and set her on a new path. She became a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and a CPST instructor. Now she’s the one teaching parents and new technicians to properly install car seats.

“It can save a life! It's up to us as parents and caregivers to research, educate and protect our precious cargo in our motor vehicles,” shared Michelle.

Brooke, now 19 years old, is following in her Mom’s footsteps. She recently graduated from Fire Recruit School and is starting her career as a firefighter and EMT. Knowing what happened to her as an infant, she plans to become a CPST, just like her mom and the people who saved her life.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 73% of child safety seats are misused. It’s critical for families to take the time to read the manual for the car seat, as well as their vehicle owner’s manual. It’s equally important to have the right seat for the height and weight of the child, and to keep them rear-facing until at least age two.

It’s always a good idea to have a CPST check your installation as well. You can never be too safe when it comes to the well-being of your children. Check out The Ultimate Car Seat Guide and visit Safe Kids Worldwide to find a technician or car seat check event near you.

You might also like:

• Saving Leilani
• A Superhero Retires
• The Auto Safety Timeline

One of the fastest growing areas for U.S. job growth is in high tech sectors where a STEM foundation is essential. Programs across the nation are looking for ways to engage students in STEM learning. And to show students STEM isn’t just for the “smart kids.”

Inspiring students to embrace STEAM can take some creativity. In Phoenix, AZ, music, specifically rap, is exciting students about STEAM.

Rap + STEAM = Brighter futures

Not everyone at the Turn Up for STEAM event wanted to be here. You could see it in their faces. Maybe mom or dad insisted they attend.

Several students moodily stood around waiting to sign in and pick up their event gear. The event would take up their entire weekend.

But that attitude doesn’t last long. The music-based format grabs their attention, like when they listen to their favorite songs. The music makes learning not just relevant but fun.

“It’s exciting to see students change their views of themselves and STEAM when you use what they know as a tool to help them unlock what they don’t know,” Loretta Cheeks, Strong Ties.

Watching LaMar Queen and David Landix from Music Notes, the music/math team, is exciting.

They get the students hyped up using Hip Hop, art performance and digital design. This helps change the way students understand math, science, technology and problem solving.

Students start out rapping about why STEAM is important to them and learn how it works in life. The next phase of the program takes them through critical thinking exercises. Students then present their project ideas to help transform communities, industries and lives.

Rapping can look easy, but there is a science to it. Rhyming about math, coding, or even science on the fly; it's a lot trickier than it seems.

A math problem must be solved in a few sentences that ends with the same sounding word. And don't forget to add the musical measurement of bars to the mix.

Turn Up for STEAM aims to motivate and excite students about education. The unique program is run by nonprofit Strong Ties with the help of volunteers, parents, teachers, a local community college and State Farm.

Two hundred students, even homeschooled high school students attended the event. “Turn Up for STEAM gives me an introduction to math, science, and engineering. Now, I want to attend college and study science and technology,” says Amir.

To learn how to get students involved in STEAM programs in your community speak with your school; look for summer day camps, parks and recreations programs, library or community centers events; or search for STEM/ STEAM programs online.

Tomorrow night might get below freezing. You look around your tent and hope you have enough layers to stay not just warm but alive.

Your stomach rumbles. You hear the steady flow of traffic above, the other people, going to and from work. The people with roofs over their heads; they know when their next meal and shower will be.

Then you hear it. A silly horn that doesn’t just mean a hot cup of soup. It means hope.

Homeless but not hopeless

In America, there are approximately 650,000 homeless individuals. (Metro Relief, 2017) Many of them children. And the Dallas-Fort Worth area is no different.

Just ask Jana Kelley, who was homeless at age 13. Jana has experienced more horrors in her short life – from drug dealing to her father being shot - than most people will in 80 years

But she heard that silly horn one day. Around the corner the Metro Relief bus came. The volunteers poured out of the doors of the retrofitted bus, many of them got in line for soup with the homeless and struck up conversations. Jana decided to sit down and talk with a volunteer, a chat that changed the course of her life.

“We really believe that in order to help someone actually make an impact in their lives, you’ve got to start with the core problems,” shared Metro Relief Executive Director, Jason Kelley. “A lot of people do not have encouragement and good people around them. So we try to be that for them. We try to show them love right off the bat even if they’ve only known us for five minutes. We are family and we care about you.”

Metro Relief provides more than just much needed meals. They provide sanitary items like tooth brushes and soap; encouragement and friendship; and help people get life-changing medical services.

Jana used to think her life at 13 was normal. But through conversations and love and support from Metro relief volunteers, she realized she deserved better. The young woman has turned her life around. She’s attending college and plans to be a social worker so she can help other children in her situation.

Spreading the relief even farther

Metro Relief wanted to reach even more people in the metro area. But like many non-profits, they needed more money.

“It’s not every day that a group of people say we’ve got $25,000 and want to give it to you so you can make a difference in people’s lives. And that’s what happened through State Farm®,” Jason said.

In 2016, they heard about a crowdsourced grant program that connects individuals and communities with local non-profits to build safer, stronger, and smarter communities, State Farm Neighborhood Assist ® (SFNA).

And they won one of those 40 grants. “The grant money will help us retrofit a second bus, essentially making it a food truck. We will be able to reach so many more people now,” shared Jason.

Together, Metro Relief volunteers and State Farm are giving Dallas-Fort Worth homeless a better chance at a brighter tomorrow. They are turning the power of caring into the act of doing with the help of SFNA.

Check out the SFNA website to find community causes you’re passionate about. From August 16 through the 25, you get ten votes a day to rally behind those causes. Go vote!

You might also be interested in:

• Childhood Poverty Just A Stone’s Throw Away
• A Young Life Lost: A Legacy of Safety
• Things Are Looking Up

That’s when a massive EF5 tornado, nearly a mile wide at its peak, struck the city. Killing 161, injuring more than 1,100, and causing $2.8 billion in damages – making it the costliest tornado in U.S. history. Nearly 20% of the city was destroyed. 7,000 homes lost, more than 9,000 residents displaced, and 40% of the city receiving some kind of damage (including the local hospital, St. John’s Regional Medical Center, which was damaged beyond repair).

There is much involved in a community recovering from such a devastating blow. Restoring homes, infrastructure, and basic services are tasks that continue to this day.

But the question of healing is a deeper issue. To help the residents of Joplin heal, connect, and process their stories of trauma, the city turned to a different resource: art.

Expression Beyond Words

During the recovery process, the Joplin community realized the need to help community members process their experiences. “Someone may be too traumatized to talk about an event, but are able to express their story through art,” said Patrick Tuttle, Director of the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau.

With the involvement of the community, many public art projects were created to help Joplin tell its story. Painted murals downtown depict images of Joplin faces and history. A series of sculptures throughout the city were sold to help provide funding for a disaster recovery summit. A Joplin-born composer created and performed a piece of music about the tragedy.

A local nonprofit, Art Feeds Joplin, provided art therapy programs for many Joplin children traumatized by the tornado. Joplin Proud, a group of volunteers working together to commemorate the tornado, coordinated shared creative activities for residents, including children’s art projects and a community-wide journaling experience.

The culmination of this series of projects was a plan by Joplin Proud to construct a free-standing mural in Mercy Park, a new park located on the former site of St. John’s Regional Medical Center. This mural would serve as a lasting tribute to the spirit of survival and recovery established in Joplin, and an interactive piece of art that could be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for decades to come.

On the Wings of Butterflies

The art throughout Joplin took on many forms, but the main theme running through all of it was butterflies.

The image of a butterfly has meaning in terms of recovery – “The metamorphic growth of a butterfly is symbolic of our recovery as a community and regional hub,” said Tuttle – but the primary motivation for using butterfly imagery came from a phenomenon reported throughout Joplin in the wake of the tornado.

After the tornado, many local children reported seeing and being protected by butterflies or “butterfly people” when the tornado hit. Some believed they were angels; others felt them to be a more indescribable presence.

But the butterfly stories spread quickly and became a powerful image for the community as they came together to recover from the storm. From painted murals to public sculptures to community children’s art projects, the butterfly theme was present everywhere.

Tuttle, inspired by murals he had seen in New York City that allowed visitors to stand between large sets of wings to have their photos taken, proposed a similar idea for the mural in Mercy Park, using the image of butterfly wings. With funding support from a State Farm grant, Joplin Proud was now ready to make the vision a reality.

The Artists

To design and build the mural, Joplin turned to local artists with long-standing connections to the city. A.J. and Jordan Wood, a father-and-son team of artists who work under the name Mythiq Art & Mural, were chosen to create the imagery for the mural. A.J., who grew up nearby in southeast Kansas, spent time in Joplin as a child and moved his family there in 2002.

A.J. was displaced from his studio when the tornado hit, and continued his work in his home. “We had no electricity, so my wife set up some oil lamps and candles by my easel so I could work. That week I created three paintings that were auctioned to help a family who had suffered terrible loss in the storm.”

To make this mural a durable and lasting effort, the community turned to Paul Whitehill of Whitehill Enterprises, an experienced, professional mural artist specializing in tile murals.

Paul has lived in Joplin for 22 years, and moved his production facility there in 2002. The facility was outside the tornado’s path, but three of his employees lost their homes in the disaster. “Nothing in all my travels and life's experience could have prepared me for the devastation of the May 22nd tornado,” said Paul. “I was in shock as I surveyed the path of the tornado. Terms like war zone or bomb blast could not even come close to what I saw over the first few days.”

Putting the Pieces Together

Shortly after the tornado, A.J. wrote a butterfly-themed poem about the experience, and had been photographing butterflies with a powerful zoom lens to examine the fine details of their wings.

Said A.J., “When butterfly wings are magnified, you see all kinds of interesting patterns of construction. It reminded me of the patterns of life and how the patterns that hold a community together can be broken apart and put back together again. So I decided to illustrate a butterfly composed of thousands of interlocking patterns as a symbol of how thousands of individuals living in our area are bound together into a beautiful whole.”

The finished mural was unveiled on August 11, 2016, in a ceremony that included representatives from the City of Joplin, Mercy, Walmart (who provided funding for the wall) and State Farm (who funded the creation of the mural).

A Community Rises Again

Now six years removed from the tornado, Joplin’s recovery work continues, but the city has made incredible progress. Nearly 2,000 homes have been built and 300 new businesses established, numerous road improvement, trail, and park projects are underway, and the hospital – now called Mercy Hospital Joplin – has been rebuilt. The city’s population is at its highest point ever, having grown in the years since the tornado struck.

The devastation has not been forgotten, however – with the lives lost and memories long, the storm still echoes. “We are healing, but we still have a ways to go,” said Tuttle. “Every time a thunderstorm rolls in, the tension can be felt. Some people may never move past this. But our economy is booming with new business and growth, and improvements throughout Joplin are noticeable.”

For the artists, the mural has been a rewarding project. Said A.J., “We love the new park and finished mural, and to see people using it every day. One lady said of her mural selfie, ‘I just feel like I’m wrapped up in a great big quilt’! I thought that was the best compliment ever.”

Paul has appreciated the result as well. “I am so pleased with the finished mural. It faces to the west and its colors are enhanced by the light of the setting sun. The mural has become one of the most popular destinations in the city. People from all over the world have their pictures taken there which get posted on social media. I hope that people who visit will learn of the strength within my community in the face of disaster.”

Said A.J., “The whole installation is forward focused and that is what we need as a community. I hope to see more flowers planted near the mural to help set it off – especially flowers that attract real butterflies.”

One out of five of those children are living in poverty and will go to bed hungry tonight. (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), March 2017) Another way to look at the numbers – your child has a sleepover party. For one or two of those children, that was the first time in a long time they went to bed with a full belly.

No region, ethnicity or age group in America is immune to childhood poverty. Once you are touched by poverty, it’s hard to outrun its effects. Unfortunately, childhood poverty often means future poverty and long-lasting health and development issues. (USDA, March 2017)

So what can we do?

Chandler, AZ, is a fast-growing Phoenix suburb with more than a quarter million people.

“Most people driving through downtown Chandler - they see the beautiful downtown and the parks, but within a stone’s throw we’ve got people who are struggling to make ends meet,” shared Det. Kelley, a Chandler police officer.

Fortunately for these kids there is an organization with an army of volunteers who are committed to changing the trajectory of their lives. ICAN was founded 25 years ago by local resident, Henry Salinas, who wanted to provide safe after-school care for children in his low-income neighborhood.

Today the program is more than just an afterschool program for at-risk youth. “We use a nationally-recognized curriculum to build the skills necessary to encourage social behavior; prevent substance abuse and delinquency; develop life skills and leadership capacity; and enhance self-image and self-confidence,” shares CEO of ICAN, Shelby Pederson.

But ICAN needed help to provide their life-altering services to more members of the community - free of charge. In 2016, they heard about a crowdsourced grant program that connects individuals and communities with local non-profits to build safer, stronger, and smarter communities, State Farm Neighborhood Assist (SFNA).

And they won one of those 40 grants. “The grant money is going towards our Youth Development Program that tackles three major barriers: Free programming, meals, and transportation,” shared Shelby. “Without help from organizations like State Farm and their Neighborhood Assist program, we could not provide these services to our community.”

Together, Chandler residents and ICAN volunteers are giving their children the best chance they can at a brighter future. They are turning the power of caring into the act of doing with the help of SFNA. Is there a cause in your community you care about?

You might also be interested in:

• A Young Life Lost: A Legacy of Safety
• Things Are Looking Up
• Finding A New Path

Habitat for Humanity builds houses....it’s what they do. But, in North Carolina, they build communities. Literally.

Students at NC State University are challenged to think beyond boundaries and do the extraordinary. So, it was no surprise Habitat for Humanity of Wake County and the NC State Campus Chapter became the one of largest partnerships between a Habitat Campus Chapter and a Habitat affiliate, raising the most funds ever.

“The vision of the project, called “Build A Block,” was to build 11 homes on land near the University,” explained Melanie Rankin of Habitat Wake. “We wanted to give the opportunity of homeownership to more families. We knew we needed a partner that could bring in new sponsorship and volunteer commitments.”

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson and his wife Susan agreed to be honorary chairs of the Build A Block campaign, and the project was off. The financial goal was huge - $715,000.

Students led the charge

In September 2015, the students went to work. Past Habitat Campus Chapter President and NC grad student Sarah Paluskiewicz, along with Mike Giancola, Assistant Vice Provost Student Ombudsperson for NC State, led the university effort. Through special events and grants, the students raised more than $120,000 toward construction costs.

At the heart of the students’ work, however, was volunteering on the site.

Current Chapter President Parker Colbath, a junior majoring in chemical engineering, spent a whopping 226 hours helping build the 11 homes. From his first experience as a freshman, Parker fell in love with a sense of community he had not experienced until Habitat.

“It was incredible to see NC State students from diverse backgrounds and cultures working together. We have students from all over the globe, which was really cool as many of the (Build A Block) families are from around the world too,” Parker shared.

5,000 volunteers contributed more than 20,000 hours to help build the homes.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” said NC State Athletics Department Debbie Yow. When she heard about plans for NC State’s commitment to Build A Block, she knew it would be a great experience for the student athletes. All 23 athletic teams contributed in some form.

Business and alumni step up

NC State alumni also got involved. Smedes York (Class of 1963), a long-time supporter of Habitat Wake, helped secure financial support from individuals and local businesses.

“Quality of life starts with a good home, and to have these folks rooted in the community, have a nice home to live in, to be a contributing part of the community is very, very important,” York commented.

State Farm joined the Athletics Department and others to provide financial support and to volunteer on site, alongside students and the future homeowners.

“It’s rewarding to be with a company that provides grants for such great projects and then to have the opportunity to build with your colleagues – to see the results of our support,” said State Farm Agent Vincent Boone. “But, the best part is meeting the homeowners and hearing their stories.”

Building secure futures

Purchasing a safe, affordable home through Habitat is life-changing. The 11 Build A Block families are from five different countries, but they all share the sentiment of gratitude for the chance to own a home.

“Thank you for giving us a place we can call our forever home after moving from apartment to apartment for the past 15 years,” new homeowner Sanna Z. Ghulam said at the home dedication ceremony in May 2017.

Ghulam, a working, single mom, has three sons. “I can’t thank Habitat for Humanity enough for making this dream come true for us! It will be a great journey for me and my boys.”

Another homeowner, Raleigh native, Rasheeda Ray, commented the low-interest payments will allow her to save for her and her five year old daughter’s future.

“It definitely will help our quality of life and I am grateful to Habitat Wake for this opportunity,” Ray added. For this busy mom who holds down two jobs, it’s a great reward.

Want to find volunteer opportunities near you? Visit Neighborhood of Good and make a positive difference in your neighborhood.

That is where the similarities end. Each year thousands of hatchling turtles emerge from their nests along the southeast U.S. Atlantic coast. But only a small percentage survive to adulthood. Most sea turtles found in U.S. waters are listed as endangered.

Casey Sokolovic learned this unfortunate fact during a visit to a sea turtle hospital when she was just eight years old. Casey, now a 20 year old college junior, has made it her life’s work to protect sea turtles from coast to coast. 

“That visit to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital ignited a passion in me. I knew I had the power to make a difference,” Casey shared. The young woman is the founder of Love A Sea Turtle (L.A.S.T.), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the world’s sea turtle population

She started off small. Baking and selling turtle-shaped cookies to raise money for the hospital. As she got older, her ideas and outreach blossomed to awareness-raising t-shirts and social media campaigns, and on to an annual 5/10k run.

Her efforts even inspired a coffee drink. Visit Joe Van Gogh Coffee and try the Organic Sea Turtle Blend Coffee. Buy a bag of beans and 50 cents go to the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Casey always looks for new ways to raise awareness of the sea turtle’s plight. As a Boys & Girls Club volunteer, she discovered many of the members had never been to the beach or been kayaking or snorkeling. She also realized many of these kids did not enjoy core school subjects such as Science and Math.

Casey knew L.A.S.T. could help. Working with her local community, she brought the Upstream Downstream Connection summer camp program to life. The camp gives students from local Boys & Girls Clubs the opportunity to trace freshwater sources to the coast, discovering the connections and conducting service-learning projects along the way.

With State Farm financial support, she executed a school-based program in North Carolina. The program equips teachers and classrooms in multiple school systems to create a statewide stream monitoring and environmental awareness program, engaging students on four river basins.

Throughout the year, L.A.S.T. keeps students engaged through service learning opportunities such as MLK Day of Service and Earth Day. Casey also speaks across the US about the plight of sea turtles and inspires others to get involved.

Casey began L.A.S.T. with the intent to protect sea turtles, but her dedication and enthusiasm has grown the organization to reach thousands of students. Casey describes the progress of L.A.S.T., to the “slow and steady” growth of a sea turtle.

Casey’s advice for students (and anyone of any age, really) is to “find your passion, pursue it, and be the difference.”

Want to find volunteer opportunities near you? Visit Neighborhood of Good and make a positive difference in your neighborhood.

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That was the last scene Tristan White saw before his life ended. He was running with his high school wrestling team on a country road when he was struck by a speeding motorist. A horrifying end to a promising young life.

Tristan’s shocking death left his family, friends and community with a deep sense of loss and helplessness. But they found an outlet for their grief. They decided to make Tristan’s legacy one of safety.

The White family connected with the nearby nonprofit, Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 (KKAD25). They participated in a 5K to remember lost loved ones, like Tristan.

“I want people to remember why he’s not here,” shared Lisa White, Tristan’s mother. “Even if it makes a difference for one or two families to not have to go through what we’ve gone through. It doesn’t make it worth it but at least it made a difference.”

Then they decided to bring these messages and activities to their hometown, Treynor, IA. But they needed help. In 2016, they heard about a crowdsourced, grant program that connects individuals and communities with local non-profits to build safer, stronger, and smarter communities, State Farm Neighborhood Assist (SFNA).

And they won one of those 40 grants. The grant dollars will help kick off the initiative, License to Live, in partnership with KKAD25. License to Live encourages the entire community to practice safe driving; keeping pedestrians, drivers and passengers alike safe on our roadways.

Their plan is to add three radar speed signs to remind people to slow down as they enter the town, and place banners around the community to raise awareness. They hosted mock crash simulations at Tristan’s former high school to inform students about risky situations.

They also hope to create a two-mile trail along the road where Tristan died. It will not only serve as a memorial but will provide a safe trail for residents to enjoy.

“We can’t bring him back but we can make his life remembered,” shared Tristan’s aunt, Christy Nielsen. “The more we can tell people, a little bit of action can go a long way.”

Together, Tristan’s family and Treynor residents turned the power of caring into the act of doing with the help of SFNA. Is there a cause in your community you care about?

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Like millions of Americans, Jaimi dreamed of being a homeowner. Fortunately for this Atlanta- area single mom, she found the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) which is supported by State Farm.

Jaimi, the ever-protective mother, surveyed the new neighborhood before she purchased the home from ANDP. She spoke with several neighbors to make sure her family would feel safe and happy in their new suburban community. She purchased the home with down payment assistance from ANDP making the payments more affordable.

“I pay less with my mortgage payment than most pay for rent,” Jaimi says. “But I’m most happy about the healthier environment for my children.”

The proud first-time homeowner can finally breathe a mold-free sigh of relief.

Vet gets the assist he needs

Chad O’Brien, a U.S Army vet, was deployed twice to Iraq in his five years of service. Now stateside, he wanted to provide a stable home for his two young daughters. But to afford the payments, he had to take side jobs in addition to his new career in local government. This took him away from his children.

“It was a win-lose situation, and after his service to his country, he deserved a win-win!” shared John O’Callaghan, President & CEO of ANDP.

Chad was able to purchase a home with the help of ANDP’s Veterans Affordable Home Purchase Program. He now has a mortgage payment $300 a month less than his previous rent payment. The savings means no more side jobs and a shorter commute. But even more important, this means more time with his little girls. Chad got his win-win!

Neighborhoods changing dramatically

Tracey Smith looked around her neighborhood and was scared. “My neighbors and I were worried about vandalism and squatting and how that could impact our home values,” says Tracey, a homeowner in a development that was foreclosed on before the community was complete. “Our home values were already falling because of the foreclosure crisis.”

“But then ANDP bought the available homes and helped homebuyers with down payment assistance,” shared Tracey. “It really changed our neighborhood outlook. We’re creating a sense of community, a sense of family and we look out for one another.”

Since 2007, ANDP has shifted all organizational programs to focus on neighborhood and homeowner recovery. 525 single-family homes and apartment units have been saved because of the ANDP foreclosure redevelopment program.

In the case of Douglas County, a suburban area of Atlanta, the impact was significant. ANDP conducted a study on the impact of its acquisition, rehab and repopulation of 53 homes in the county. The study showed an investment of $2.3 million in rehab of 53 homes. This investment resulted in a $14.6 million increase in values for surrounding properties.

Tracey’s neighborhood, in Douglas County, is now completely full. Empty lots have been developed and empty homes have been purchased. She looks around at her neighborhood and is full of pride.

*Homeowner’s last names have been changed to protect their privacy. 

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“If you know how to smile and shake a hand, you can be a volunteer. It feels good to help others,” Bob said. “Even if you only have an hour a month to volunteer, I believe it can have a profound impact on the community.”

Want to be like Bob? Visit Neighborhood of Good to find volunteer opportunities in your neck of the woods.

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Fast forward to present day. This personal tragedy as a young man drove Otto to encourage safe driving. He also become a Texas State University Police Officer.

Driven to discourage distracted driving

In his day job, Otto, a New Braunfels resident, works as a Crime Prevention Specialist, eight hours a day. Nights and weekends in a college town can be lively, but Otto spends them quietly, often alone, in his two-car garage focusing on his non-profit work.

He’s building tools that prevent lively weekends from turning into potentially deadly ones. He invented an electronic driving simulator he calls the DwiPod.

Otto’s passion to teach teens about distracted driving dangers stems from not only personal tragedy but professional experience. His tools present a realistic experience. Users are seated with pedals, at a steering wheel, with a large TV screen and loud speaker, presenting driving simulations that introduce distractions and obstacles.

In the most recent data from 2015, The Texas Department of Transportation reports more than 106,000 crashes in the state were caused by driver inattention; nearly 400 of those crashes involved fatalities.

Gaming assists in development

Otto is an avid video-gamer which has helped him create a highly technical product. He and his son first started experimenting using impairment goggles and a popular auto racing game. It was the enjoyment in the lesson and his son’s reaction that made him realize something important. Teenagers could relate to an interactive learning tool to teach best driving practices.

“It’s a fun, engaging program for them to get to drive and experience real life situations. It’s something many young adults would like to try, anything like this that is fun for them, but in the end sends a message: not to engage in distracted or impaired driving,” shared Otto.

Otto’s customers include universities, hospitals and police departments. Recently, the Plano, Texas Police Department purchased a DWIPod with a $15,000 grant from State Farm.

“Hopefully it’s going to teach them to make the right decision,” says David Tilley, Plano Police Department’s Public Information Officer. “The more we can educate people on the dangers associated with (distracted driving) that is going to make it less likely for someone to take that risk and that is what this product allows us to do.”

The Plano Police Department is currently using its simulator for community safety events and high school visits. Otto has delivered a total of 33 handmade simulators reaching tens of thousands of Texas students.

 New technology presents new opportunities

Otto continues his research and development to improve his simulators. He recently introduced state-of-the-art virtual reality goggles that simulate impairment, rollover crashes and distracted driving dangers using realistic 360 HD Virtual Reality videos. Otto also partners with Allan JP Beaton, owner of IASystems Computer Controls. Together they are putting final touches on a motorcycle simulator that will promote motorcycle safety.

Otto’s work is geared to help reduce the number of distracted driving crashes, not only where he lives in the Texas Hill Country, but for students across America where his simulators are being used.

In a 2016 survey conducted by State Farm, 80% of teenagers asked admitted to using their smartphones while driving. Teenagers admitted to using their devices to navigate, communicate, browse the web and take pictures and video. The teenagers said they understand using their cellphone behind the wheel is dangers, but admitted to it being a habit to stay in touch with friends and family.

“If we can keep one person from drinking and driving or driving impaired and that saves one other person, just one, everything I’ve ever done with this program is worth it,” says Glenewinkel.

For more information you can reach Otto via e-mail at otto@dwipod.com.

“At their best, parks are places for communities to come together,” said Amanda Timm, Houston Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Executive Director. “Unfortunately, many neighborhood parks do not live up to this ideal and are not safe places.”

One such place is Clark Park, a 12.74-acre park in a neighborhood north of downtown Houston. “Clark Park has seen robberies, illegal drug sales, and other criminal activity. It’s also the only park serving the neighborhood’s 17,800 residents,” Amanda explained.

Coming together to take action

In 2015, Clark Park residents decided to take back their park, but they weren’t sure where to start. They found a program that had transformed other neighborhood parks: “Great Opportunities (GO) Neighborhoods,” a Houston LISC program funded in part by State Farm. The program produces diverse, vibrant, and safe communities by engaging members of neighborhood.

In May 2016, community leaders hosted a safety audit and visioning session for Clark Park. More than 50 residents, city and University of Houston staff attended the daylong event. Together they observed and recorded any hazard to safety (blocked visibility, lighting problems, maintenance issues, etc.).

Alejandro Perez, a 23 year resident with a goal of becoming a homeowner, got involved in the safety audit. “I wanted to be a part of shaping the neighborhood I will live in with my kids, when I finally buy a house here.”

That day during the visioning session, residents discussed their thoughts and dreams about the future of Clark Park.

“This was fun because other people come up with ideas you don’t think about,” Alejandro remembered. “One neighbor thought of a pavilion. It surprised me how many different age groups were using the walking trails. It’s a small park, but neighbors connect to it in many ways.”

Residents said they would like an updated jogging trail, more family-friendly areas, and more police patrols.

The Clark Park day was one of the largest attended events of its kind in Houston. It was clear, the community was ready to create positive change in their neighborhood.

Two months later, local residents reviewed a rendering of potential Clark Park improvements. They shared feedback with the city entities and nonprofits. Avenue Community Development Corporation (Avenue CDC) leads the on-going improvement work in Clark Park.

“Clark Park has so much potential,” Avenue CDC’s Community Coordinator Maria Aguirre-Borrero said. “With the help of elected officials and community member engagement, the park will be a shining light in the community.”

In March 2017, leaders added Clark Park to the city’s Capital Improvement Project plans. Now the park will receive improvement funds.

“Clark Park is a fine example of how positive actions can result in neighborhood improvements,” Amanda said. “With determination and hard work, the neighborhood will soon have a park to be proud of.”

What can you do to improve your neighborhood? Visit Neighborhood of Good to find volunteer opportunities in your neck of the woods.

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Several years ago, Katherine Poerner, who teaches AP US History, set out to prove to her students they were, indeed, AP ready. She did this in a pretty unique way…

Halfway through the school year, Katherine revealed to her honors class they had actually been doing AP level work the whole year! The students were amazed at their accomplishments. With a renewed sense of confidence, they agreed to let Katherine make the class fully AP.

For her spirit, dedication, and good-hearted trickery, Katherine was given a special honor. For more than 10 years, State Farm and the National Liberty Museum have recognized exceptional educators with the annual Teacher as Hero Award.

The grand prize, the 2016 Teacher as Hero Award, the Exceptional Teacher Award, was given to Katherine, a Pinelands Regional High School teacher in Tuckerton, NJ,

“What makes Katherine special is the way she opens students’ eyes to the opportunities available to them through self-confidence and hard work,” shared Assistant Principal Darren Hickman. “She does not back down and is not deterred by her students’ initial resistance.”

Katherine recognizes her classroom is a valuable platform to prepare her students for life after high school. She encourages them to immerse themselves in our nation’s government and politics. She exposes her students to different points of view. This is so they will understand the benefits of diversity in politics and the importance of civic engagement.

Pinelands Regional High School and the surrounding community were greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy. A wing of the school has been closed due to water damage and disrepair and is a constant reminder of what the community endured.

Recently, a referendum was proposed to begin the long-awaited repairs to the school. To teach her student’s about the voting process and the importance of civic engagement, Katherine challenged her students to get people to sign “pledge sheets” saying they would vote.

“The challenge generated excitement and interest within the community,” shared Katherine. “The students returned sheets full of committed, engaged voters.”

Some of her students themselves were eligible to vote. Katherine met with them personally to answer any questions they had on where to vote or what to do in the voting booth.

Heroes don’t always wear capes or flashy costumes. In fact, true heroism comes from the acts of ordinary, everyday, caring people who inspire others with their own determination. Inside the classroom and out in the community, Katherine Poerner is a hero to her students.

One of her students says it best, "Mrs. Poerner treats her class as more than just a bunch of students. She treats her class like it is a family, welcoming anyone into it that is willing to learn. She is more than just a teacher. She is an inspiration to the whole class constantly striving for each and every student to do their best.”

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“Good Morning, this is HVTV News host Jamie Landers …”

This happens every morning in cities across America, but this situation is just a bit different. Jamie and Tyler are both seniors and third year Video Journalism students at Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio.

The Video Journalism program at Hoover consists of 32 Broadcast Journalism students and 75 Video Production students. The first two periods of each school day are spent researching story ideas, writing, editing, and producing the news. Students cover internal school stories, sports events, and even create community documentaries.

One such documentary, Pieces of Paradise: Rebuilding Bay St. Louis, was about a school in Mississippi the Hoover students “adopted.”

“After Hurricane Katrina, the Video Production students wanted to produce a documentary, so the school rented an executive motor coach to head down south resulting in a story which aired on PBS, and garnered an Emmy Nomination” said Tom Wilson, Coordinator of District Media at Hoover.

A Dream Becomes Reality

This experience led Wilson to dream of a Mobile Storyteller. Rather than limiting storytelling to the classroom, he envisioned students creating and experiencing stories first hand. A mobile unit would allow students to conduct onsite interviews, write, edit and produce stories on the road.

Sounds like a great idea, but reality soon set in. This mobile storyteller would cost money. Thanks to Wilson’s tenacity and generous donations from The Hoover Foundation, The Henry and Louise Timken Foundation, Blackmagic Design and State Farm, the Mobile Storyteller is up and running.

The Mobile Storyteller can travel anywhere. Students recently visited the Ohio Education Technology Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Senior Kyle Shreve was one of 17 students in attendance and was the daily tour guide.

“The Storyteller provides a great collaborative space. The equipment we have is similar to what major movie producers’ use,” Kyle excitedly shares.

Because of these talented students and the capacity of the Storyteller, Hoover’s Video Production class has been the only video crew allowed to record the state-wide conference for the last four years.

The Future Looks Bright

As Jamie’s senior year winds down, she is focused on life after high school. Jamie is attending the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Her goal is to be a major cable network news anchor.

“Jamie is one of the most talented on-air broadcasters and producers to come through our program at Hoover,” shared Wilson. “When the on-air light turns red, she looks into the camera and makes it appear so easy. Whether she has spent hours preparing, or a producer says we have a last minute interview with a CEO, state official, or celebrity guest. She is consistent with her broadcasting skills every time; the true mark of a professional.”

Tyler, who will likely attend Ohio University, hopes to eventually be a news producer. The young man loves being behind the camera.

“Tyler is amazing to watch as a producer. His passion for excellence drives him to make every show better than the one before,” Mr. Wilson shares. “He is a persistent motivator for the crew. He instantly connects with our guest through his charm, warmth, and attention to every detail”.

Perhaps in the future, Tyler will hear those familiar words in his headset…”In three, two, one, cue anchor…Good morning, my name is Jamie Landers…”

Sadly, teen driver fatalities are an epidemic. In 2015, 1,886 young drivers, 15 – 20 years old, died in motor vehicle crashes. This is a 9% increase from 2014. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens.

“It was extremely upsetting and shocking,” says Libby Hoefler, Jaime’s best friend. “When you’re a teenager, there’s so much excitement around getting your driver’s license that we don’t take time to remember we’re not invincible.”

Libby quickly turned her grief into action. She started raising awareness about teen driver safety at her high school, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) in Manahawkin, NJ, where Jaime was also a student.

Libby helped lead MATES’ student-led Focus on the Drive Club, emphasizing the importance of passenger safety. The program encourages teens to be responsible passengers by not distracting the driver, offering to send text messages on the driver’s behalf, and voicing their opinions.

"A lot of teenagers have difficulty speaking up when they see their friends acting recklessly behind the wheel,” explains Libby. “They don’t want to seem lame, so we help them communicate their feelings. Talking to a friend about how his or her careless driving makes you feel unsafe is less accusatory than making judgmental statements. Our programs help generate those important conversations.”

Additionally, Libby founded the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey’s Youth Advisory Board for their U Got Brains? Champion Schools program. The program, supported by State Farm, enables high school students throughout the state to create safe driving campaigns.

Now a pre-med student at Temple University in Philadelphia, Libby is still a safe driving advocate. In 2016, she was designated as one of 10 Road Safety Ambassadors in the country through a program coordinated by State Farm and Youth Service America.

As an Ambassador, Libby recently went back to MATES with State Farm agent Lisa Patchell. They hosted safe driving presentations during the Drivers Education classes and then played a trivia game with all of the students during lunch.

“It’s inspiring to see Libby turn a tragedy into positive energy by educating and championing teen driver safety,” says Lisa. “The students were engaged and some were surprised to learn of certain statistics. I’m grateful to have been part of the program and am a strong believer in educating new drivers.

“Limiting teen driving fatalities is absolutely crucial,” adds Libby. “I want to do all I can in order to educate and help others.”

Meet some of the other amazing YSA Ambassadors who are making a difference across the country.

For almost a century, State Farm has earned the reputation of being a “good neighbor” by applying this understanding to our business. We’ve always been about people, about relationships, about being Here to help life go right.™ It’s become more than our line of work – it’s our life’s work. But it’s sometimes easy to overlook how we help beyond our core business — the impact we have in communities we live in and serve.

We’re not just a company that donates money – we’re here to help people and communities create positive, sustainable and measureable societal impact. Through initiatives to help make safer, stronger, smarter communities, as well as the hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours our people give in their own communities, helping is at the heart of who we are.

When you step back, you can see we’ve created something big, a neighborhood that reaches far beyond a specific location: we call it our Neighborhood of Good.

It’s another way we’ll help more people, in more ways.

Download Joy Williams' – "Don’t Let Me Down"  on Amazon.com

Joy is donating all proceeds to the American Red Cross.