Day 27 of 31 - At Risk Youth

Day 27 of 31 - Support At Risk Youth
This time of year, we spend a lot of time thinking of children. Take a minute and support at risk youth.

Day 10 of 31 - Click to help Kids

Images of suffering children can sometimes make us feel helpless, unable to make even the slightest difference in their lives. But The Child Health Site reminds us that in just a minute’s time, there’s something we can do to help a child receive much need medical care.

Help At-Risk Youth

While we were working on What You Can Do last year, my father suggested we team up with The Home for Little Wanderers. My father grew up in Boston and though he moved away years ago, he has stayed very involved in the community. The Home for Little Wanderers has been part of the Boston landscape for over 200 years, making it the oldest agency of its kind in the nation, and one of the largest in New England. Their mission is to: ensure the healthy behavioral, emotional, social and educational development of children and families living in at-risk circumstances.

We produced the video below that suggested ways to get your children involved with organizations like this. Today, however, I decided to do another one-minute action featured on their website. The Home for Little Wanderers is involved with the OneCause program. OneCause is an online community that helps you raise money for the participating organization of your choice while shopping at over 750 well-known merchants (from Amazon to Lands’ End).

Even though Father's Day is a few months away, I figured I'd double my gifts by buying a few books for my dad through this program. It's win win. Just click your favorite online store and automatically contribute a percentage of every eligible purchase to The Home.

And OneCause features a variety of organizations, so check them out, look for your favorite organization and give the gift that keeps giving. Visit Onecause.org to find out more information.

Thanks!
Alicia

Help Make a Kid Smile!

Last year, we teamed up with Pal-o-Mine Equestrian, a therapeutic horseback riding stable on Long Island. We heard about them through a friend of ours who has a son, Jonathan, with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome. Since her son started working with Pal-o-Mine, he's made great strides in some of his movement and sensory issues.

I grew up riding horses and I found that being so close to these animals helped me focus. This concentration in turn helped me with my learning disabilities and my hyperactivity. There is something about being in the presence of an animal that is so big and powerful that requires your full attention. Riding horses allows you to connect on a very instinctual level; the horse picks up on your subtle movements and emotions. You can't be worried around a horse, or the horse responds. You can't be distracted on a horse, or the horse knows. You develop a strong sense of responsibility in caring for these animals and the equipment needed to ride them.

This past October, my boyfriend, Jack was on a horse for the first time. Growing up as a city boy, he never had any experience around horses, and he was quite afraid. He was nervous that the horse would bite him or make a break for it. Jack went trail riding in Moab, Utah where John Ford and John Wayne filmed their Westerns. I didn't want to tell Jack that the horses are so trained that they would walk the path even if Jack was sleeping, but I did tell him not to worry. After the brief ride on his horse, Jack came back more centered and at ease. Perhaps it was living the life-long dream of becoming a cowboy, or maybe it was the horse himself.

Being on a horse helps with coordination and muscle control. In addition to the physical benefits, riding can help encourage confidence, cooperation and self-esteem. Therapeutic horseback riding has been proven to help with autism, downs syndrome, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and the effects of traumatic brain injuries.

Between my love for these amazing animals and my desire to help people like Jonathan, I dedicated my one-minute activity today to help support Pal-o-Mine Equestrian by becoming a Carrot Club Member.

If you are interested in this type of therapy - consider helping Pal-o-Mine Equestrian.
Please feel free to share your horse stories with me. I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
Alicia

Support a Child's Education with Project Amigo

Think there's nothing you can do to support a child's education in Mexico in 1 Minute?

Starring - Rosie Moss
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information provided by: Project Amigo, www.projectamigo.org

Special Thanks: Ted Rose and everyone at Project Amigo, and Dennis Arinella


For more information, please visit - What You Can Do .

Students Help Fight Hunger in NYC

Think you can't help fight Hunger in NYC in 1 Minute? Watch this.

Starring - Keanna McGarrell
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited, and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: City Harvest, www.cityharvest.org

Special Thanks: Heather Wallace, and everyone at City Harvest, Griselda Garcia and everyone at The New York Daily News, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

What You Can Do presents: What You Can Do Kids' Favorite Outtakes

Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids! - Our Favorite Outtakes

Starring -The What You Can Do Kids
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

What You Can Do Kids' - Reduce & Reuse

Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids!

Starring -The What You Can Do Kits
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

What You Can Do Kids' - Protect Wild Animals

Think there's nothing you can do to Protect Wild Animals in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids!

Starring -The What You Can Do Kits
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

What You Can Do Kids' - Turn off the Lights

Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids!

Starring -The What You Can Do Kits
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

What You Can Do Kids' - Plant and Use a Lunchbox

Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids!

Starring -The What You Can Do Kits
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

The What You Can Do Kids - Commute to School

Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids!

Starring -The What You Can Do Kids
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

The What You Can Do Kids' -"Plant, Reuse & Conserve"

Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green in 1 Minute? Listen to the What You Can Do Kids!

Starring -The What You Can Do Kids
Written by -  Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Ilana Levine, Diana Marsh, Jack, Halaby, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

What You Can Do presents: Fight Childhood Obesity

Starring: Josh Zitomer
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission


Special Thanks:
Dennis Arinella

What You Can Do Presents: Go Green Lunch

“Green School Lunch”

Starring: Karen Funaro
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission


Special Thanks:
Dennis Arinella

Green School Commuting

Think there's nothing you can do to help your child Go Green in 1 Minute when they go back to school?

Starring - Stephen Jadge
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Go Green School Supplies

Think there's nothing you can do to help your child Go Green in 1 Minute when they go back to school?

Starring - Grace Tortorici
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Go Green Back to School - an Opening Blog

This week, our focus at “What You Can Do” is about being more environmentally conscious during the school year. In producing this week, one particular video sparked some debate. In a video about school supplies, we suggested that if parents have more time, they organize a clothing swap with their community. While we all agreed that the idea is a good one – buying new clothes every year for school can get expansive and also be wasteful – we wondered whether this was an idea few families would follow through on. When I was a kid, back-to-school shopping was one of the few upsides to returning to school in the Fall. It was always fun to have a few new outfits for the school year. I wonder how it would have felt if my mom, in lieu of the shopping trip, organized a clothing swap with my friends. Would I have felt slighted or would it have been more fun to sort through my friends’ clothes?

Now, I love the idea of a clothing swap. In fact, twice a year, Alicia goes through her closet and pulls out the things she no longer wants or just never wears and everyone in the office picks through her giveaway pile and takes whatever they want. For me now, the idea of saving money on clothing by taking what my friend no longer wants, is quite a bargain. Can children understand that concept; or is new always better to them?

What do you think?

An interview with the Rakshys Family, friends of What You Can Do Part 2

Below is Part 2 of our interview with Jessica and Christian regarding their experiences raising their son with special needs, Jonathan.

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1. What, if any, advice would you offer to other parents out there who have a child with special needs?

J/C: Call your pediatrician and/or your county and find out about the early intervention program right away. I had no idea that this whole program existed and now I don't know what we would have done without them. They have become part of our family.

Also, search online for parent support groups. My husband and I belong to several. Being able to talk with other parents that are going through similar things is so helpful. Sharing ideas, experiences and equipment has helped us so much.

2. In areas that offer fewer low-cost or free programs for special needs children, what, as parents, do you think you can advise other parents to do?

J/C: There are a lot of books in the library that you can take out and read about raising a child with special needs. Depending on where you live, sometimes your local library will also have programs set up for children with special needs.

Play music to your child - expose them to different types like classical, jazz, rock. It's a workout for the brain just listening!

3. How have the programs and therapies Jonathan has received helped him?

J/C: I'm happy to say that Jonathan is walking and picking up objects with his hands! He is starting to make choices and is starting to develop communication when he wants/needs something. We still have a long way to go, but I know Jonathan would be a different child without the help of these programs.

4. What can someone out there who wants to support programs/therapies that kids like Jonathan receive, do? Any suggestions?

J/C: I would contact your local county for advise on how to help. There are also lots of schools for children with special needs that may have volunteer programs set up. Therapy centers and facilities also accept monetary donations like Pal-o-mine Equestrian where Jonathan gets hippo therapy.

Therapeutic Riding for Kids

Think there's nothing you can do to help a child with special needs in 1 Minute?

Starring - Alicia Arinella
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Statistical Information Provided by: Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, www.pal-o-mine.org

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Caroline Thompson, Lisa Gatti and everyone at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com