The Anti-Defamation League's 2013 Summer Interns Discuss Bullying and How it Motivates Them to Make a Difference

Every summer, The Anti-Defamation League picks 15 interns to help the organization. What You Can Do interviewed a few of the interns about their personal experiences with bullying and how the experiences motivated them to make a difference. 

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Produced by - On the Leesh Productions
Starring - Barbara, Clay, Fabrice, Maryam, Mary and Mir
Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Shot by - Amanda Blohm
Sound by - James McGann
Production Manager - Sarah Schwartz
Music by - Buick Audra
What You Can Do Logo by - SCG Creative
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc. 

Special Thanks: Barbara, Clay, Fabrice, Maryam, Mary and Mir, Todd Gutnick, Samantha Shokin and everyone at The Anti-Defamation League, and Dennis Arinella

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/whatyoucando
Other YouTube Channel -http://www.youtube.com/whatyoucando365
Blog - http://www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspo...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/1minette
Website - http://www.whatyoucando.com

For more information on On the Leesh, please visit:
Website - http://www.ontheleesh.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/On-the...
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/ontheleesh
Blog - http://www.ontheleesh.blogspot.com

For more information about the Anti-Defamation Society - 
Website - www.adl.org
Facebook - www.facebook.com/anti.defamation.league
Twitter - www.twitter.com/adl_national

For more information Buick Audra, please visit:
Website - www.buickaudra.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/buickaudramusic
Twitter - www.twitter.com/buickaudra
Instagram - www.instagram/buickaudra

Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti Defamation League talks about their work in the 21st Century

For 100 years, The Anti-Defamation League has been at the forefront of fighting bigotry, prejudice and hate. Abraham Foxman explains their genesis and how they've evolved into the 21st century with their commitment to combat online hate. 

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Produced by - On the Leesh Productions

Starring, Directed and Edited by - Alicia Arinella

Shot by - Amanda Blohm

Sound by - James McGann

Production Manager - Sarah Schwartz

Music by - Buick Audra

What You Can Do Logo created by - SCG Creative Group

Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Special Thanks - Abraham Foxman, Todd Gutnick, Samantha Shokin and everyone at the Anti-Defamation League and Dennis Arinella

For more information on What You Can Do:

Facebook - www.Facebook.com/whatyoucando

Twitter - www.Twitter.com/whatyoucando

Website - www.whatyoucando.com

Blog - www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspot.com

Vlog - www.youtube.com/unstoppableminute.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/1minette

For more information on On the Leesh Productions:

Website  - www.ontheleesh.com

Facebook -www.facebook.com/pages/On-the-Leesh-Productions/62939494253

Twitter - www.twitter.com/ontheleesh

For more information about the Anti-Defamation Society - 

Website - www.adl.org

Facebook - www.facebook.com/anti.defamation.league

Twitter - www.twitter.com/adl_national

For more information on Buick Audra - 

Website - www.buickaudra.com

Facebook - www.Facebook.com/buickaudramusic

Twitter - www.Twitter.com/buickaudra

Instagram - www.instagram.com/buickaudra

What You Can Do's September Campaigns to Combat Cyber Hate and Promote Kindness

What You Can Do Series Takes Action Against Hate Speech and Promotes Kindness to Help Change the World, One Minute at a Time, in September

September 1, 2013 – New York, NY – As students return to their classrooms, families hope for a year without the pain of bullying in schools and on the web. In September, the What You Can Do series teams up with two leading organizations to take action against online hate speech and promote kindness. In new episodes featuring experts at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), What You Can Do will spotlight easy ways to help stop online bullying, bigotry and hate speech during the first two weeks in September. With the Cyber-Safety Action Guide created by the ADL, internet users can find cyber-bullying and harassment policies for popular online platforms such as Amazon, Facebook and GoDaddy.com and contact methods to flag offensive content.

After inspiring 10,000 acts of kindness last year, What You Can Do and Rachel's Challenge will collaborate for the second annual Kindness Week starting on Monday, September 23rd. New videos will feature unique stories and perspectives and encourage viewers to start a chain reaction of kindness in their own communities.

“We are so inspired by our experience working with these two organizations dedicated to creating a culture of acceptance and compassion,” shared Alicia Arinella, What You Can Do executive producer. “In September, we invite viewers to join us to take action against hate and embrace kindness online and in our everyday lives."

The nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency, the Anti-Defamation League fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all. For more information, visit: www.adl.org.

Founded in honor of Rachel Joy Scott, victim of the Columbine school shooting, Rachel's Challenge exists to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. To learn more, visit: http://www.rachelschallenge.org

Produced by On the Leesh Productions in New York City, the What You Can Do web and television series spotlights easy and powerful ways to help solve important issues such as rainforest preservation, climate change, hunger and animal cruelty. The Webby Awards named What You Can Do as an official honoree in the Public Service and Activism category for 2013. The series has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Green web site, Mrs. Green’s World radio show and Videography Magazine. To view What You Can Do episodes and for more information, visit:http://www.whatyoucando.com.

On the Leesh Productions is a New York City based company that creates film, web series and corporate video. For more information about On the Leesh, visit: http://www.ontheleesh.com/.

Media Contact:                                                                

Ashley Kaufman                                                              

ashley@eluxpr.com                                                         

336.255.7565

Sponsorship Contact:

Kristin Thomas

KristinReniseThomas@gmail.com

704.369.1492

Combat Cyber Hate in One Minute

Cyberbullying has become all too common.  Watch this video to learn a simple one minute idea on how you can help combat it.

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Produced by - On the Leesh Productions

Starring, Directed and Edited by - Alicia Arinella

Shot by - Amanda Blohm

Sound by - James McGann

What You Can Do Logo created by - SCG Creative Group

Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Special Thanks - Todd Gutnick, Samantha Shokin and everyone at the Anti-Defamation League and Dennis Arinella

For more information on What You Can Do:

Facebook - www.Facebook.com/whatyoucando

Twitter - www.Twitter.com/whatyoucando

Website - www.whatyoucando.com

Blog - www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspot.com

Vlog - www.youtube.com/unstoppableminute.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/1minette

For more information on On the Leesh Productions:

Website  - www.ontheleesh.com

Facebook -www.facebook.com/pages/On-the-Leesh-Productions/62939494253

Twitter - www.twitter.com/ontheleesh

For more information about the Anti-Defamation Society - 

Website - www.adl.org

Facebook - www.facebook.com/anti.defamation.league

Twitter - www.twitter.com/adl_national

Support After School Projects

Last year, we produced a video with The After School Corporation. TASC used to have a form on their website that could be sent directly to your state representative, urging them to keep after-school funding for students. Unfortunately, the link is no longer active, but the fact that our kids need after-school programs remains. Since this was my one-minute activity for the day, I figured I could put all of the pieces together and send my own letter.



Here's how I did it:

Step 1 - locate your representatives -
To Find your Congressman
To Find your State Senators
State Assemblymen are harder, as their doesn't seem to be one site for everyone. I searched google for NY State and got this link.

Step 2 - Once you have found your representatives, find out how to contact them. Usually, there is a simple contact page.

Step 3 -Fill out the form, and include this sample letter or one of your own.

Dear Senator/Representative/Assemblyman XXXX,

I know that now is a difficult time for our state financially, but I am writing to ask you to keep funding to after school programs as they are very important to me.

I think that providing students with an outlet after school is essential for our youth.

Thank you for your time.

XXXXX


Hope this helps - Let me know!
Alicia

Spread the Word about Teen Dating Abuse

Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Teen Dating Abuse in 1 Minute?

Starring - Melissa Jernigan
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: The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, www.loveisrespect.org

Special Thanks: Susan Risdon and everyone at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and Dennis Arinella

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

Help Fight Teen Dating Abuse

Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Teen Dating Abuse in 1 Minute?

Starring - Illiana Inocencio
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: The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, www.loveisrespect.org

Special Thanks: Susan Risdon and everyone at The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, 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 College

Starring: Melissa Jernigan
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 Candice Hopkins, Director at Loveisrespect.org, The National Dating Abuse Helpline

In our opening interview with a representative from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, we learned (if we hadn’t realized it before) that domestic abuse crosses all socio-economic lines. However, with the need for services like The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (loveisrespect.org), it is clear that domestic/dating abuse happens in various age demographics as well. Because many people experience their first relationships as teenagers, we thought it was important to get more information from an expert at the Helpline. Candice Hopkins, Director at loveisrespect.org (the National Dating Abuse Helpline) answers our questions below.

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What are some warning signs to look for in teen abusers?
These are some behaviors that a teen who is abusive might exhibit in their relationship.

Peer Pressure
Isolation/Exclusion
Anger/Emotional Abuse
Using Social Status
Sexual Coercion
Threats
Minimize/Deny/Blame
Intimidation

A teen who is abusive will often display the following behaviors specifically:
• Call your girlfriend/boyfriend names?
• Text or call them excessively and get upset when they don’t respond?
• Monitor their email or profile on a social networking site?
• Feel you have a right or need to know where they are most of the time?
• Get jealous or angry when they spend time with friends or family?
• Ask them to change their clothes or style of dress?
• Get in their face during a disagreement?
• Push, slap, or punch them for any reason?
• Restrain them to keep them from leaving during an argument?
• Guilt or force them into having sex?
• Threaten to hurt them or yourself if your relationship ever ends?

If a teen exhibits the behavior in their youth what are the steps to take to keep them from being an abuser in adulthood.
If a young person has displayed abusive or controlling behaviors in their relationships and adults whether parents or other concerned adults have witnessed something or are concerned the first step is to acknowledge the behavior and initiate discussions of healthy relationships. There are limited counseling options available that a teen can be referred to but the best option is parental or other adult influencer involvement on establishing what appropriate and healthy behavior is. We believe that these conversations, interventions, and guidance can help impact the rates of adult domestic violence.

When you’re a teen, you are experiencing relationships for the first time – so how can someone know if/when they are being abused. How can they tell the difference between normal behavior and abuse if they’ve never been in a relationship before?

These are the most common warning signs we share with young people:

• Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
• Act jealous or possessive?
• Put you down or criticize you?
• Try to control where you go, what you wear or what you do?
• Text or IM you excessively?
• Blame you for the hurtful things they say and do?
• Threaten to kill or hurt you or themselves if you leave them?
• Try to stop you from seeing or talking to friends and family?
• Try to force you to have sex before you’re ready?
• Do they hit, slap, push or kick you?

Most young people contact loveisrespect because they recognize “something doesn’t feel right” in their relationship. They often do not recognize the warning signs until we are discussing their relationship. Even those who have not been in relationships describe that something said or done to make them uncomfortable, or that a friend or family member expressed concern. Most of the conversations had with young people is around discussion of the warning signs of an unhealthy relationships.

What is the first thing you would tell a parent who suspects that their child is being abused?

If a parent contacts loveisrespect we discuss with them the dynamics of teen dating abuse and validate their concerns. Most parents are seeking information and support about how to talk to their teen about their concerns. We offer suggestions on how to start a conversation with their teen and how to use our web site, events in the media, or curriculums covered in schools as jump off points. In addition we go through safety planning options including discussions on whether or not a parent should make their teen break up with the abusive person, should a parent limit technology, and what the parents’ legal rights and options.

What, in your experience, have been some of the most prevalent myths teens have about abuse?

Many of myths of teen dating abuse are similar to those of adult domestic violence. It is believed teen dating abuse is not a problem in middle and upper middle class schools and environments. That violence is seen only in lower SES schools. Many people believe that teen dating abuse is only the physical and do not acknowledge or recognize the emotionally abusive and controlling behaviors are such a large part of an abusive relationship. Another myth is that the abused in the relationship is either to blame or some aspect of the abuse or has done something wrong by not leaving the relationship. For teens, peer pressure and the social strata of high school deeply impact this myth. In addition, a myth of teen dating abuse is that it is a recent phenomenon. The recent media attention due to celebrities involved in teen dating abuse and the use of technology have created a myth that this is a new issue, but there have always been teens involved in abusive relationship but there is more attention and focus applied at this time. This creates great opportunities for education and awareness.

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To learn more, please visit - Love is Respect.

Teen Dating Abuse

Think there's nothing you can do to combat Teen Dating Abuse in 1 Minute? Watch this.

Starring: Maria Perry
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

Statistical information provided by: The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, www.loveisrespect.com

Special Thanks: Margaret Potyrala and everyone at The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, www.loveisrespect,org, Retha Fielding and everyone at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, www.ndvh.org, and Dennis Arinella

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