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| Dear Challenge Day Friend, |
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Our hearts are breaking over the shocking suicides that have been in the media over the past few months. And of course, we know that there are many more suicides that have not been in the forefront of the media. Our thoughts and blessings go out to the families and communities affected by the loss of these young people.
While these kind of tragedies seem to be increasing, we know there is hope and that it doesn't have to be this way. These stories only deepen our commitment to continue creating a world where every child (including our inner children) feel safe, loved and celebrated.
Every year, Challenge Day leads over 85,000 youth and 20,000 adults through the Challenge Day program. We are more committed than ever to celebrate our unique diversity and end the separation, isolation and loneliness that often leads to bullying and other ways that teens often hurt themselves and others.
Please stand with us to show that love and connection are possible anywhere. Here's how you can help:
- Vote - Be the change and vote!
- Donate - Your donation helps fund Challenge Day at schools in the U.S. and Canada.
- Be The Change - Be the change in your own life by taking a stand against bullying. Share your "If You Really Knew Me," stand up for someone, or share your commitment to ending the cycle.
- Blog your acts of change.
- Facebook - LIKE our facebook page.
- Donate Your Status - Donate your status on facebook or twitter with something like this, "Change begins with me. I take a stand against bullying and only spread positive rumors. Will you join me?"
- Download Rich and Yvonne's Peace Week recording, "Peacebuilding in Schools" and share with others.
Thank you for your love and support. We look forward to continuing to work in team with you in creating a world where all of us feel safe, loved and celebrated.
With Gratitude,
Jaime Polson-Flanagin, CEO
Rich and Yvonne Dutra-St. John, Co-Founders
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| CHALLENGE DAY ROCKS MTV! | |  Over 1 million hearts rocked!With your help, we touched the hearts of over a million viewers with each episode of "If You Really Knew Me." It's our hope to continue touching lives through a second season - we will let you know once we have the word from MTV. In the meantime, if you missed any part of the show, you can still be part of it! Watch "If You Really Knew Me" and download Discussion Guides to use with family, friends and classrooms. |
| CELEBRATE NEW STAFF MEMBER, LINDA FRANK | | |
 Meet Linda P. Frank, Ph.D.,
Director of Development & Marketing
Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Development and Marketing, Linda Frank! Linda comes to us with 20 years of experience in fundraising and has been very successful at educational institutions and nonprofits. She was recently with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley where she directed a $12 million dollar campaign. Welcome Linda!
Linda's If You Really Knew Me
If you really knew me, you would know that:
- I love music, dance and art and enjoy attending live performances
- I enjoy being outdoors - hiking, gardening or kayaking
- I am a native New Yorker and feel at home in a big city with bright lights and crowded streets
- I have spent most of my life finding ways to do what I can to help others
- I really enjoy my job as Director of Development and Marketing, discovering new financial resources and connections for Challenge Day!!
- You can reach me at linda@challengeday.org
Linda invites you to Be The Change by donating today! |
| NEW LEADERS ROCKIN' THE SCHOOLS | | |
Please welcome Challenge Day's new leaders, who are already rockin' the schools.
 Evert Villaseņor Evert was born and raised in Menlo Park, CA by his mother and grandmother. After high school he developed a passion for social awareness and youth development.
Gina Pernini
The oldest of four girls, Gina learned early what it meant to lead and guide. She earned a Masters in Education and was a teacher for many years in places from Chicago to Mississippi, the Ukraine and Dominican Republic.
 NeEddra JamesNeEddra is a writer, a graphic designer and an activist from Oakland, CA. While working on her doctorate and struggling with low self-esteem, she began to understand that personal transformation is the heart of social change. Read NeEddra's If You Really Knew Me.
 Schan BakerBorn and raised in Philly, Schan is one of three children. At a young age, he had many stuggles and learned to appreciate his life's blessings. He settled in Kauai, Hawaii where he pursued his passions in youth and agriculture, until becoming a Challenge Day Leader. Read Schan's If You Really Knew Me. |
| YOU CAN INSPIRE THE WORLD | |  Join Rich and Yvonne on Nov. 6-7, at LEADERShift 2010
Anyone can inspire the world, including YOU. Join Rich and Yvonne on Nov. 6-7 in Long Beach for a transformational weekend. Alongside Rich and Yvonne are Stephen Covey, Byron Katie, Jason Mraz, Chip Conley, Ishmael Beah and many others with events and activities that explore how we can 'be the change' and lead society through the many challenges facing the world today. |
| LIVING LIFE 100% - THE NEXT STEP WORKSHOP | |  Live The Life Of Your Dreams
An exciting exploration of personal growth, the Next Step to Being The Change workshop is perfect for adults and teens who are interested in creating the life of your dreams. You will be engaged in a fun, highly experiential and educational workshop over three days that provides you with the inspiration, hope and compassion to live life 100%. Next Step Workshop November 19-21, 2010 in Concord, CA - only a fews spots left
December 10-12, 2010 in Everett, WA
January 14-16, 2011 in Houma, LA
January 21-23, 2011 in Concord, CA
February 4-6, 2011 in Concord, CA
Cost: $350 adults, $100 teens Register now - $50 deposit holds your place |
| YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE | |  Miracles Occur Because Of YouWe have seen miracles occur with teens of every economic and social background. Our work would not be possible without YOU. You provide the financial support, encouragement and love that we need to accomplish our miracles.
This year alone, Challenge Day will touch the lives of more than 85,000 teens and 20,000 adults in all 50 states, Canada and beyond. Help us reach out to more young people and create a world where they feel safe, loved and celebrated. Click here to make your tax-deductible gift today. Thank YOU!!
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| EVERYDAY HEROES | | |
Please help us celebrate these amazing people who are modeling what it is to share love and connection on the planet. These people are "being the change" every day.
 JoDee and Molly Robertson JoDee and Molly Robertson, long-time Challenge Day "family," volunteered in Ghana, Africa for several months. As teachers and volunteers, they won the hearts of the Ghanaian people and made a few friends along the way.
Ontario High School Ontario High School's "Be The Change" team is helping the Aiken Alligators at their local Middle School catch the Challenge Day fever. These young leaders show fifth graders how cool it is to create a culture of kindness and connection. Katie and Dan Congratulations to Katie and Dan who met in 2004 at a Challenge Day and are getting engaged!
"I particularly would like to thank you for something special that you gave to me. His name is Dan McGerty. We were from completely separate 'cliques', so we had had never seen or met each other. During
one of the breaks, we became buddies. We talked about what kind of super powers we wished we had (He wished he could fly, and I wanted to be invisible). At the end of the day he wrote on my paper that "invisibility is cool." We became good friends, and about a year later began dating. That was five years ago, and we are looking forward to getting engaged, and married, shortly after I complete my education. You truly gave me a gift that changed
my world. You gave me the love of my life, who I'm convinced that I would have never met if it were not for Challenge Day.
Thank you for a life changing experience! Katherine" |
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