Dear Difference Maker,
For a while now, I have been writing to you about the importance of what's going on in our schools regarding violence in all of it's forms.
We are quickly moving into the holiday season, which is not a happy time for entirely too many people, and last Winter we saw a significant increase in violence.
The Making A Difference with the Power of Acknowledgment UTrain® Program (MDPA) literally and figuratively SAVES LIVES.
But here's the thing ...
I have an email list of 100,000 subscribers, out of which a few have donated $1 or $5 and only three have dontated $50 in the past year.
And these donations most likely came from generous souls who didn't have a lot of money to really give, while there are people reading my newsletters and articles every day who work in multi-million dollar businesses and corporations that have plenty of money to get MDPA Programs funded with the snap of a finger.
A great story about Mother Theresa: she was invited to speak to an elite group of Billionaires. After her talk they handed her a check for $100,000.
She gave the check back to them saying, "Are you trying to just make yourselves feel good, because you can do much better than this!"
She walked out that day with a million dollars in donations for her work.
The first school we awarded the MDPA program to was Pueblo City School District 60, Heroes K-8 Academy, thanks to Nadine Garcia'Montoya, Literacy Coach/Specialist for stepping up and submitting her 1000 word essay so that she could make this happen for her school.
However, we funded this first project from our own tithing, because donations have not been coming in. I am sharing this information with you in case there is any misconception you may have that others are stepping up and this program is doing fine without your help. I simply cannot keep doing this for all of the schools that are applying.
Of myself, I cannot do this, but with your help we can reach millions of kids.
Help me help schools.
What I think is most relevant to the kind of school culture this program creates is that it helps kids get out of their heads and into their hearts to think about their impact on others and how they can be making a difference at school, home and in the community.
MDPA kicks off an "I Make A Difference" WEEK-long program that has safety nets and skill development built in, because acknowledging others can sometimes make us feel vulnerable - if only for a moment. However, it is in our vulnerable moments that we are actually the most powerful and authentic, and this is exactly what we MUST be teaching today's youth in order for them to grow up to BE the CHANGE society needs all students to learn to manage and experience.
The Acknowledgment Ceremony - first created by Helice Bridges over thirty years ago - has a "pay it forward" component, so students will reach out to each other, and to the significant people in their community to touch lives.
The MDPA program makes use of three inspirational stories, which my company turned into online movies under exclusive contracts with each of the respective authors. Together they've received over 10 million views so far. Perhaps you've seen them:
AcknowledgmentMovie.com -Who I Am Makes A Difference, Helice Bridges
MakeADifferenceMovie.com - Teddy Stallard Story, Elizabeth Ballard
Simple Gesture Movie - The Simple Gesture Story, Jack Schlatter
It is the kind of program that will complement any existing bullying or drug abuse prevention and intervention programs that schools may already have in place.
I am asking for your help today as big and as boldly as I know how to ask.
I have three schools waiting in the wings ready to go the second I can get their materials and training to them - to get this program into their schools:
Parkview Elementary, Wyoming, MI
Warren E. Bow Elementary / Middle School, Detroit, MI
St. Stephen Elementary School, St, Stephen, SC
We have more schools inquiring every day. The need is immense.
Many of my subscribers have been with me for fifteen years or longer, so I know that you know me and that I am a woman with a mission to make a difference, and am good to my word. I will personally see to it that you will also receive confirmation of the results achieved from the school(s) that received your Make A Difference donation.
We are not a non-profit, so you would be giving for the sake of giving.
However, if your company participates, we have an advertising plan in place for large donations which makes the investment tax-deductable as an advertising expense.
Schools will receive a 6' X 8' banner to put up for a minimum of 30 days to acknowledge corporate sponsorships/partnerships in which case you would want to call us to determine how much advertising you want. 800-639-8191
So... If you are at a place in your life where you are, or know someone who is, in a position to give back and help the schools in your community with the social emotional issues facing today's children, then NOW is the time to get on board with bringing my field tested program for Making A Difference with the Power of Acknowledgment UTrain® Program to your local schools.
I am asking for your help to bring the transforming impact of the "Who I am Makes a Difference" Acknowledgment Story into Your Community's classrooms NOW, along with other momentum building stories / movies: The Teddy Stallard Story, The Simple Gesture and more.
The Make a Difference with the Power of Acknowledgment UTrain® Program is designed to inspire and equip educators with a revitalized educational philosophy and practical techniques that will give life to academic performance and requirements.
Each Lesson in the program comes with discussions and activities to bridge the gap between social emotional issues and their often dramatic, life-altering effects.
MDPA UTrain® Program is specifically designed to:
==> create social connectedness
==> provide concrete support in times of need
==> teach social and emotional competence
How YOU Can Help Schools, Make A Sustainable Difference
1. DIY Do-It-Yourself - walk MDPA program into your school district as your gift to them OR ...
2. If you'd really rather not get directly involved with schools but would very much like to give a donation then please know that we have a growing list of Persistently Low Performing Schools on our WAITING LIST to receive our Make A Difference with the Power of Acknowledgement UTrain® Program.
For a school of 500 students/faculty and staff would be $1,500 for the UTrain® Program which include 4 "I Make A Difference" Wristbands and 10 Stickers per individual at our current 85% fall savings.
For a school of 1000 students with faculty and staff the investment would be $2,680 for UTrain® Program plus 4 "I Make A Difference" Wristbands and 10 Stickers per individual at our current 85% fall savings.
You make the donation and I'll work directly with the school's leaders to get this program successfully under way.
I will personally see to it that you will also receive confirmation of the results achieved from the school(s) that received your Make A Difference Gift.
JOIN ME IN MY '13 -'14 MOVEMENT and let's Make A Positive Difference NOW!
Please click here to participate:
Our very First school to receive the full program from our personal donation is:
Pueblo City School District 60, Somerlid Elementary/Freed Middle
Their Kick-Off date was this Fall. Congratulations to Nadine Garcia'Montoya, Literacy Coach/Specialist for stepping up to make this happen for her school.
"Wow what a fast paced year this has already been! I have been meaning to inform you of our awesome "Make a Difference" kickoff which was held on Friday, September 13. We rolled it out with Kinder-1st, 2nd-3rd, 4th-5th and 6th, 7th and 8th assemblies. The students and staff loved the messages! It is so amazing to see blue wristbands throughout the building! Please call anytime so that I may share more with you! Sincerest thanks to you and your program!" -Nadine Garcia' Montoya
CLICK HERE to listen to what Nadine had to say about how straightforward and flexible Make a Difference with the Power of Acknowledgment UTrain® Program was to deliver, to get teachers K-8 on board with and the community it has created with the students.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Reaching out ...
Mary Robinson Reynolds
Author & Founder, Heart Productions & Publishing
MakeADifference.com/Acknowledge UTrain® Program
Click here for Business, Churches, Organizations and Schools
PS ... Persistently Low Performing Schools Apply HERE.
Heart Productions & Publishing, Greater Boston Area, 800-639-8191