This vision was at the heart of our first corporate Challenge Day program, held at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia.

Over 140 Coca-Cola employees "dropped the waterline," opened their hearts, and took part in powerful validation exercises especially tailored to their on-the-job experiences.

Inspired by Challenge Day's work in schools across the nation, Steve Bucherati, Coca-Cola's Group Director for Diversity and Fairness in North America, invited Challenge Day founders Rich and Yvonne to conduct a pilot Challenge Day at Coke.

"Having been exposed to Challenge Day through the airing on Oprah Winfrey's show made me, as a human being, feel so good about the work that Rich, Yvonne, and their team are doing every day to enrich the lives of our young people. It also spoke to me that perhaps we could adapt and adopt this program into a large corporate setting, and the pilot program we recently ran at The Coca-Cola Company was an overwhelming success," Steve said.

As part of Coca-Cola's Diversity as Business Speaker Series, Rich and Yvonne also gave a keynote address entitled "Breaking down Barriers" to 350 Coca-Cola staff.

Coca-Cola staff enthusiastically described their Challenge Day as "an amazing training experience," and "the best diversity training ever."

"I have so much more respect for my co-workers and I feel so much more connected to them," one employee wrote. "I wish that I had an opportunity to attend a session like this in high school," another shared.

"By the end of the Challenge Day, when we asked the employees if they'd commit to performing a daily act of change, every person in the audience stood up," Rich recalled.

"Participant after participant told us what a life-changing and positive experience [the Coca-Cola Challenge Day] was," Steve said. "For me, personally, it also brought me back to all that's right, decent and possible in this world."

We are so grateful for the opportunity to bring Challenge Day to The Coca-Cola Company. Thank you, Coca-Cola, for "Being the Change" in your workplace and in your lives!

This spring, over 7 million teens nationwide tuned in to the love, hope, and connection of Challenge Day -- right in their own classrooms!

[Challenge Day] opened so many doors for me. This was the most amazing experience of my life, and it deeply touched my heart.

My wish for myself, and for every other person in this school, in this city, in this state, in this country, and even in the whole world, is that life becomes all that you want it to. I wish that you will never have to carry more than you can hold. I wish that each road leads you where you want to go, and if you're faced with a choice, I wish that you choose the road that means the most in your heart. Through it all, I just wish that everyone would know that there's someone who loves them, and wishes the same things too. That's my wish, my goal, my dream.

When I was lying in my bed last night trying to go to sleep, I had no regrets inside of me. I had a chance to say sorry to anyone that I might have hurt, people said sorry to me for ever hurting me, and everyone thanked everyone for everything they have ever done for them. It was unbelievable.

When we first walked into the gym, everyone had a label, but when we walked out, nobody did, not one person. Everyone was friends with everyone. That's how it should always be. Now, since Challenge Day is over, I have made a challenge for myself. I challenge myself to notice how quickly this special day is forgotten. I challenge myself to notice how fast things go back to normal, and to try my hardest to prevent it. And to not let anyone forget.

Hats off to the Hawthorne, Nevada Circle of Change! This creative Circle has partnered with their local chapter of the Red Hat Society, a social organization of women over 50 who support one another in living 100%. Over school lunches, a dedicated team of Red Hat members provide mentoring and support to local students. Imagine a school cafeteria spotted with grandmothers in big red hats spreading love and giving hugs! I look forward to seeing some of those hats at Challenge Day programs.

Our new Circle in Orlando, Florida is literally making headlines. Led by Holly Torroija, the "It's All Good" news club teams local teens with media professionals to produce a fast-paced, hard-nosed news show focused on positive community news. In just a few short months, 8 schools have signed-up for "It's All Good," and Women in Film has agreed to make the club the focus of their mentoring program. We'll keep you posted on how you can bring this project to your community.

From Maui, Hawaii to Bangor, Maine, Circles are spreading across the nation. We're proud to announce that we've far surpassed our goal of adding five new Circles of Change this year. To date, we've added fourteen!

To spread the word about all the exciting Circles news, we've also published our first edition of Full Circle, the newsletter devoted entirely to Circles of Change.

Linda has worked with schools since her children were at the elementary level. After reading an e-mail asking for adult volunteers for a high school Challenge Day, Linda decided to get involved. "I have to admit I was scared to volunteer, but I was able to step out of my comfort zone. I have been working with the high school and helping to put Challenge Days together ever since," Linda recalls.

Sharon worked to bring Challenge Day to Huron High School even before she had experienced it herself. Since their first program in February 2006, Huron High School has hosted eight Challenge Days. Sharon is especially inspired by the reaction from teachers and parents to Challenge Day. "I really focus on getting as many teachers and parents to participate because it is a way for them to become committed to being a part of the school," Sharon says.

In addition to helping create a positive climate of communication and connection at Huron High School, Sharon and Linda exemplify "Being the Change" in their daily lives. Sharon volunteers at the Humane Society, fostering kittens and puppies with her daughter, Lindsay. Linda recently completed her first triathlon with her daughter, who Linda describes as her "inspiration and motivation."

Sharon and Linda, for the positive impact that you create in our world, and for the way you inspire others, we are honored to recognize you as our Challenge Day Coordinators of the Month!

Originally designed for educators and students interested in keeping the spirit of Challenge Day alive in their schools, our Next Step to Being the Change workshop has become a powerful communication and connection tool for relationships of all kinds.