NJ 101.5 Radio Interview on 5K race for kidkind and a HUGE Thank You to Event Sponsors

April 28, 2014May 2, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Leigh Ann Errico, founder of Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation, was recently interviewed by New Jersey 101.5 for the radio station’s weekly segment, “What’s So Great about the Garden State.” The story aired today at 7am, 9am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and—if you missed it—you can catch it again at 9pm! An audio clip and the web version, titled “Wear the Cape Hosts Fundraising Event in Warren,” can be found here. From the article:

“We need to focus on the positives in our society and talk about the good,” Errico said.

The movement attempts to show kids how their choices can pave the way for their own success and confidence.

“We want them to see that it’s cool to be a hero and to be kind,” she said.

The group already features close to 1,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook, despite launching in the fall.

Errico said the goal is to not only raise awareness about important issues facing our youth, but equip the adults they look up to with the proper tools to teach.

“Spread the word and recognize kids who are heroes and who do the right thing,” Errico explained.

The 5K race for kidkind and Family Festival is just FIVE DAYS away! We couldn’t be more excited to share a special day with all of you to show the kids in our communities that it’s cool to be kind and to embody good character. And a HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors (see below). We couldn’t make the event a success without your generosity and support.

Can’t wait to see you on Saturday!

Choose kind,
Leigh Ann

RACE FOR KIDKIND SPONSORS

“One Small Step, Countless Big Rewards” by Cape Kid Olivia Perlmutter

April 23, 2014April 23, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Today’s guest blog comes from “Cape Kid of the Month” Olivia Perlmutter, a true everyday hero who has our respect and admiration. Olivia founded Teens Connecting with Teens to bring students together to help youth with special needs (read on for more details!). We look forward to honoring Olivia at our upcoming 5K race for kidkind and Family Festival and sharing a portion of proceeds to support her in expanding the reach of her organization.

And now…take it away, Olivia!

“One Small Step, Countless Big Rewards”

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”― Mahatma Gandhi

I have heard many times that one small action can lead to a thousand new opportunities, but I never really believed that until my freshman year of high school when I decided to take one small step. That small step was really just a simple idea that I had to help my twin sister reconnect with the friends that she had made in the Chatham public school system. My sister has down syndrome and had been in public school until 5th grade―“mainstreamed”, they called it―but eventually she transferred to a special needs school in Chatham called ECLC.

My sister loves ECLC, but she also loves hanging out with her “old friends” from elementary school. As an incoming freshman, I recognized that there was no contact between students at my high school and the ECLC school, even though they were in the same town. I decided that I would start a club at the high school to create opportunities for social interactions with the students at ECLC.

Entering high school as a timid freshman was terrifying and having to organize my first club meeting and speak in front of a large group of people was the last thing I wanted to do. However, I found the strength to overcome my fear, because I recognized that, like my sister, all of the students at ECLC could benefit from this program.

My sister and about 30 other ECLC students now live for our activity nights! Not only have experiences with the club changed so many others, but they have changed me, as well. I remember as a freshman thinking to myself that I would never run for class office; it seemed TERRIFYING. But after I saw how one small action of starting a club impacted so many people in a positive way, I figured why not! I was voted sophomore class vice president!

Another big thing that came as a result of my small step was that I was selected to attend a leadership conference. Only one or two sophomores are chosen each year from our high school, and I received the honor in part because of all the work I had done to build the club. The leadership conference was a truly life-changing experience and, just recently, I was accepted as a junior counselor to work at the leadership conference this summer.

My attitude towards trying new things has been completely transformed over the past three years. I am currently a junior in high school and looking for new ways to expand my club and challenge myself with new and exciting opportunities! I’m thankful that Wear the Cape is helping me to further my efforts and touch more lives.

photo for Olivia blog — Teens Connecting with Teens (Cape Kid Olivia on far right)

Dr. Brown Says…It’s Time for Cape Code Project Activity #2!

April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Last week we announced that Dr. Philip Brown, a senior consultant at the National School Climate Center, has teamed up with Wear the Cape to serve as our resident expert on character education!

As detailed here, Dr. Brown has created the Cape Code Project to help guide parents across the country in fostering the development of character in their kids. With the below activity—the second in a series of three—Dr. Brown guides you and your family in “Defining your core ethical values in behavioral terms.”

Activity #2: Defining your core ethical values in behavioral terms

Background: The second and critical task in making family core ethical values real and useful to guide and support positive relationships is defining what the values mean in terms of specific behaviors. For relationships to be positive and supportive, we need to have expectations of each other, be aware, clear and explicit regarding them, be flexible about them in terms of the circumstances of everyday life, and understanding when we fail to meet them. This is not about setting the stage for ‘I gotcha ya” or retribution and punishment. Using core values as guidelines allow for examining our behaviors and modifying them, giving positive support and feedback to each other and as a way of thinking and reflecting about our behavior ourselves.

Activity:

Depending on the age of your children and their attention span, at the same or a subsequent family meeting indicate you now need to define your selected core ethical values in terms of specific kinds of behaviors. Use a blackboard, computer or paper and make two lists for each core value: 1) Examples of what the value looks like and sounds like when we are doing it; 2) Examples of what the value looks like and sounds like when we are not doing it. For example, if your family has chosen the core ethical of respect, you might list under 1) – Show that you are listening when someone talks to you by stopping what you are doing and looking at them. Under 2) you might list – Interrupting someone when they are talking to you.
Make sure that children have a chance to come up with many if not most of the behavioral examples, as it is their perspective and agreement that you are after to make sure they both understand what is expected of them, but also what they think is important in their own world view.
Post the behavioral definitions in a place that everyone can see and say that you will use them to help keep everyone on track. Indicate that you will review them in a few weeks to see if you need to add any examples, and that everyone can come up with good ideas for behaviors that would help support the family being loving, caring people.

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If you missed Activity #1, “Discovering and agreeing upon your family’s core ethical values,” you can find it here, along with an introduction to the Cape Code Project.

Wishing you and your family the best on this fun, constructive journey! And please send us your feedback and questions along the way – we’d love to help.

Choose kind,
Leigh Ann