February 2010
D-Quip
With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance,
all things are attainable.
Thomas Foxwell Buxton
BTW...
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HEAR US:
Diane regularly shares her thoughts and observations online, and invites you to read, comment, and share.
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HEAR US ♥s M-V Liaisons!
I've had the honor of getting to see many McKinney-Vento liaisons in action across the country. Your tireless efforts on behalf of homeless kids are heart-warming!
With the surge of homeless kids being identified, it's apparent liaisons are doing their often thankless job--part of which is to train school personnel to recognize, enroll, and be sensitive to students and families.
It's a challenge, but HEAR US designed materials and conducts presentations to assist you--the front-line liaisons--with awareness and sensitivity-raising for adults and children, school personnel and members of the community. Let us help. And thanks for what you do!
♥ Diane
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| Short radio news story HEAR US in Austin, TX!
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Spread the Word--George Winston Solo Guitar Concert to Benefit HEAR US!
His music is evocative, his support of HEAR US inspiring. George Winston will again do a benefit solo guitar concert for HEAR US on Sunday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Naperville. Suggested donation $20, online or mail. LIMITED SEATING, so sign up early!
George is amazing! He doesn't charge for the concert and encourages donations of food for the local pantry. His guitar concert (100+ minutes of music) will warm your ♥. Donations will support the work of HEAR US, particularly the "Children" documentary and the planned MOFW addition--a short video on homeless toddlers (0-5). Diane plans to be back for the concert. Hope to see you there!
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 M-V Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Act saves lives--one good reason to spread the word about this great law! In one story... Julianna, needing to leave an abusive spouse, learned about M-V, which gave her courage to leave because she could keep her promise to her kids of being able to stay in the same schools after they moved out and doubled up with others.
How many people who need this law remain unaware? Having heard story after story about the positive impact of M-V on children, youth and adults, one hopes that more people learn about it and more districts strengthen their outreach and compliance.
That's one big reason HEAR US created My Own Four Walls and REACH (included on MOFW '09). Find out why people rave about this user-friendly video. For info on quantity discounts and shipping, contact Diane.
(And see below about the new and improved M-V bill!)
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LEARN about the new Homeless Education bill and
companion bill for foster kids' education.
SIGN & share a petition asking your Senators to co-sponsor.
SIGN & share the petition to increase funding for M-V EHCY.
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Follow Diane as she travels. Invite her to your area.
ROADIE UPDATE: Diane is "highly mobile" and her route is shaping up. That's a good thing! If the weather would cooperate that would be even better!
Louisiana and Florida are on the itinery to screen the new HEAR US documentary, now called "It's All About the Children." Then Georgia, NC, VA-DC area, and NYC, and back to IL by mid-April (sneaking in for the concert). A few openings in her schedule....
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4 U!
My Own Four Walls '09, (DVD) 6 informative, short documentaries (including REACH) featuring homeless children & youth. Focuses on McKinney-Vento. Audiences include educators, administrators, human service staff, child welfare workers, religious education classes, and students.
Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness, Diane’s insightful, reader-friendly book on homelessness, including stories of how today’s M-V EHCY came to be.
It’s About the Children, Pat Van Doren’s endeavor, offers a touching set (3) of children’s books sure to inform and inspire both children and adults. They make great library additions that truly make a difference!
Purchase orders and credit cards accepted. ORDER FORM
Discounts for bulk orders. All proceeds support HEAR US. |
DOWNLOAD FREE: MOFW STUDY and ACTION GUIDES (pdf)
HEAR US college curriculum. Jonathon's Heart |
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 REACH Helps Parents Help Kids!
Parental involvement from behind bars, or professional development via computer...REACH makes it happen! This is a great training tool- VIEW the entire 11-min. video FREE! Help families, school staff, human service personnel, family court and legal services workers, and more understand McKinney-Vento EHCY!
HEAR US offers REACH FREE online (or buy DVD for $20). Get the companion brochure (English - Spanish) with vital M-V info, including a toll-free number (NCHE/Serve helpline) Order now!
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Simply Amazing! The new HEAR US documentary, now called It's All About the Children, "really nails it" according to a M-V liaison. Diane's been screening this intense look at the lives of 7 women who experienced homelessness, a 65-minute rough-cut, to select audiences as she's been traveling. Reactions have been off the charts, and hopes are high that this powerful video tool will enlighten audiences far and wide. ~more later~
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House Fires and Poverty--Tragic Connection
Diane recently shared observations on house fires, and comments poured in leading HEAR US to set up a new advocacy project to call attention to the link between house fires and poverty. It's easy to participate and, by focusing (mostly) on mayors, this project aims to go Up the Food Chain, |
HEAR US is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
Diane Nilan, President/founder
www.hearus.us
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