October 2009
D-Quip
We will find abundance through hard times when
we find each other.
Rebecca Adamson
BTW...
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Greetings!
Rain, wind, cold, snow...realities of winter. For most of us, we bundle up and carry on. For families and teens without homes, it's not that easy. And often weather is the least of their problems.
I'm traveling backroads now from coast-to-coast, and interviewing families and teens. Their compelling stories will air on the HEAR US Learning Curve Express site. I'll contact their federal legislators to urge them to watch the short video so they can learn more about how doubled up and motel-bound families struggle.
But we need you too! Grassroots movements require, well, grass and roots. You're the roots. Check our COMPASSION EPIDEMIC page on the HEAR US website. Spread the word. We need legislators to be aware--and care!
Thanks for all you do to help kids without homes.
Diane
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NEW!! HEAR US is joining forces with the National Center on Family Homelessness on their Campaign to End Child Homelessness! What a great match!
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LEARNING CURVE EXPRESS UPDATE!
This trip is no vacation for HEAR  US president/founder Diane Nilan. After a grueling, but worthwhile, week of presentations in OH, PA and NY (see events), she headed to Boston for a rally to urge continued funding for programs vital to homeless children.
A couple interesting observations:
- At the beginning of Diane's presentation she asked audiences what image comes to mind when she says "homeless person." At least 75% indicate the stereotypical (but minority) homeless man under a bridge.
- When asked who knew someone close to them who has experienced homelessness, at least 50% in the audiences raised their hands.
These responses further validate the need to change how this country perceives and addresses homelessness.That's why HEAR US created...
...the LEARNING CURVE EXPRESS (2-min. intro video), a unique instrument to give policymakers and the public greater understanding about how difficult it is for families and teens to stay with others (doubled-up) and/or in motels because they have no home.
You can help! Catch and spread the COMPASSION EPIDEMIC!
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 Don't do presentations without MOFW!!
Inform and inspire people about
kids experiencing homelessness!
See a short trailer of My
Own Four Walls,
an incredibly powerful video tool
to increase awareness
of homeless children and youth….
MOFW also makes a great video to share with youth groups, religious education students,
homeless kids and audiences of any kind.
Download free MOFW STUDY and ACTION GUIDES (pdf)
MOFW will be screened at California's Paso Robles Film Fest in November.
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GUESS 'WHO' will be in Denver at the NAEHCY conference?! CHARLIE (posters). Visit the HEAR US table.
♥ ♥ ♥ HEAR US customers--new and old--
get a FREE Charlie poster in Denver--just stop by! ♥ ♥ ♥
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From NYC/KC, an Exciting Story!
Jen,a grad student at Columbia University's School of Social Work, was telling Markus Redding, her professor, about using the copy of My Own Four Walls he lent her.
In her summer work at a Kansas City camp for homeless kids, she was frustrated trying to encourage them to talk about their experiences. She showed MOFW and the kids opened up! She shared this story at CUSSW as Diane was standing off to the side checking emails. Markus turned to Diane, introducing Jen to the person who made MOFW. Her excitement equaled Diane's.
My Own
Four Walls '09, (DVD) 6 informative, short documentaries (including REACH)
featuring homeless children and youth. It covers key elements of 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 McK-V
homeless ed law 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, and are thoughtful holiday gifts that truly make a difference!
Purchase orders and credit cards accepted. Discounts for bulk orders.
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View it FREE: REACH: 11-Minute M-V Video Review We used the online version with a classroom projector and it worked just fine! Buy one if you can but, whatever you do, WATCH IT and SHARE IT! Available on MOFW 09 and as a stand-alone ($20)!
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 REACH FAMILIES IN/OUT OF JAIL!
McKinney-Vento helps kids who lose housing when their parent goes to jail. HEAR US helps spread the word about how M-V works through the REACH video and brochure.
REACH brochures (English and Spanish) contain vital info on M-V, including a toll-free number (NCHE/Serve helpline) and a tear-off postcard. You can purchase the brochures or get the license to print them locally.
OutREACH to incarcerated parents and their children's caretakers can be vital in removing barriers to education for homeless students. Order now!
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KEEP UP! Follow Diane as she travels. Invite her to your area.
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Chicago area friends/supporters: HEAR US would love to invite you to our Bon Voyage benefit/reception on Nov. 4th in Naperville! All attendees will receive a free copy of My Own Four Walls (original edition) as a thank-you for the tremendous support from friends in the Fox Valley.
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HEAR US is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
www.hearus.us
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