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| Dear Challenge Day Friend, |
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Happy Holidays from Challenge Day! This is our last newsletter of the year and we hope you are brimming with warmth, love, gratitude and joy.
Wow, what a year! We are so grateful for your support, love and encouragement. Below are just a few of the beautiful miracles we have achieved, with your help and please read our Love Notes below about miracles from our programs.
- This year alone Challenge Day will be touching the lives of more than 85,000 teens and 20,000 adults in all 50 states, nearly quadrupling our outreach since 2000-2001.
- MTV aired 12 successful episodes of "If You Really Knew Me," chronicling the life-changing work of Challenge Day, in schools throughout the United States, averaging 1.3 million viewers per episode.
- We have trained five new Challenge Day Leaders.
- We have reached operational and financial sustainability and have a budget of over $3 million.
We hope you have a joy-filled holiday season and that your heart is full of gratitude and abundance in the coming year.
With Gratitude,
Jaime Polson-Flanagin, CEO
Rich and Yvonne Dutra-St. John, Co-Founders |
| TOM BROKAW PRESENTS BRIDGING THE DIVIDE | | |
 Featuring Rich and Yvonne and premiering this Friday, 12/10 at 7/6c.
Nearly fifty years since the beginning of the civil rights movement in America, what is the status of racism, religious freedom, women's equality, gay rights, access for people with disabilities, bullying among kids and more? In Bridging The Divide, Tom Brokaw dives into these complex issues facing the nation's increasingly diverse population, looks at the impact of the current economy, technology, social media and the 24-hour news cycle. Featuring Rich and Yvonne, Tom is introducing the nation to champions of change, ordinary citizens doing extraordinary work to end social injustice in communities across the country. Premieres as part of Characters Unite Month on USA Network - this Friday, 12/10 at 7/6c. Set your DVRs.
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| 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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| GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK | |  Gifts For Do-Gooders!
Scratching your head about what to get your friend or family member who either has it all, is picky, or just a big do-gooder?!? We have the perfect answer -- gifts that give back to Challenge Day.
Donations to Challenge Day
Be The Hero Book $23.95
BE THE HERO is our attempt to pass on the lessons we most needed to learn but never received in school. It is our gift to young people everywhere, and to the young person who still lives within each and every one of us.
Buy it now!
iPhone App - $1.99 
Be The Change with Challenge Day's iPhone App with daily challenges and acts of change calendar. Each day includes a thought for the day, a quote and then a challenge to act. Notice. Choose. Act! Proceeds benefit Challenge Day. Huge thanks to Steve Echtman, our Board Member, for making this possible! Buy it now!
Jewelry from Herff Jones 
Be The Change and Challenge Day jewelry and watches exclusively from Herff Jones are the perfect way to remind someone it's time to be the change.
Bracelets, watches, pendants, key chains and more!
Buy it now!
Apparel 
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| THE NEXT STEP WORKSHOP - LIVING LIFE 100% | | 
Live The Life Of Your Dreams
"Next Step was the best gift I've ever given myself or my school." Andy P, Principal
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%.
"An amazing experience for my entire family. We came to learn and left in love." - Marianne B
Next Step Workshop
December 10-12, 2010 in Everett, WA
January 14-16, 2011 in Houma, LA
January 21-23, 2011 in Concord, CA - filling up fast!
February 4-6, 2011 in Concord, CA
Cost: $350 adults, $100 teens
Register now - $50 deposit holds your place
"I was nervous, challenged, supported, loved and in the end, grew more in three days than I thought was possible." - Michelle D, Personal Life Coach |
| YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD - LEARN HOW | |  Join Rich for this Free Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Series
A "social entrepreneur" is someone who uses entrepreneurial principles to create positive social change. Rich Dutra-St. John, Challenge Day's Co-Founder, is one of 40 world-renowned social entrepreneurs invited to share his expertise via this FREE global teletraining Jan 11-20 and Feb 8-18. Discover how these fascinating people came up with brilliant ideas, and against all odds, succeeded at creating humanitarian products, services, and organizations that dramatically improve people's lives. Learn what it took to launch and build Challenge Day, and how Rich and Yvonne overcame the obstacles in their way. Empower yourself with inspiring success stories, mindset shifts and tangible business skills.
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LOVE NOTES | | |
This month, we highlight ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Through your courage, authenticity and bravery during our programs, we honor and celebrate YOU for stepping outside your comfort zone to be the change.
Cerebral Palsy's Ray Of Sunshine
A young girl with cerebral palsy arrived at Challenge Day in her wheelchair and took the mic. She encouraged the room to have a bright and optimistic attitude. She inspired us all to let go of the real things that cripple us: fear and negativity. She is a ray of sunshine in that room and very loved at her school. Police Officer Turned Peace Officer A Police Officer volunteered at a Challenge Day. He shared that throughout the year he had to "come down hard on the kids." Then he stood and spoke out - apologizing to the teens and sharing that his life was really hard until he turned it around to become a Peace Officer. He didn't want any of them to have to go through what he went through. Everyone was really moved by his share and it seemed to create peace with the teens.
Healing For A School
Students at this school were in pain after losing one of their classmates to a shooting. During Challenge Day, many of them expressed their sadness over the loss. When the time for validations came, there was tremendous healing as the teens shared their validations letters written to the deceased student: "I miss you," "I wish you were here," and "I love you," were all shared and it created much needed healing for all.
Saving Lives After watching MTV's If You Really Knew Me, a student shared that he had been contemplating suicide. He shared that the show gave him hope and that he decided to reach out for help instead of ending his life. We are so glad you are wish us. |
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