I Care

Teens Say I Care

Our new I Care materials, created by teens, for teens and parents

Take a look. Then download for free. Voila — our new I Care book and brochure. The photo shows the results of months of hard work with Humanity Project teenagers, who helped us create all new materials for their peers. And for parents too. Brief, portable but with lots of lifesaving information presented in an appealing way that is quickly read but long remembered.

With great thanks to our partners at State Farm, we now offer the book and brochure for free. And as mentioned, you can download the book right now at no cost by using our new QR code:

Our new I Care QR code for free book downloads

I Care is an innovative Humanity Project program that began in 2012 with generous State Farm funding … and continues with ongoing support from this public-spirited company. We’re proud to make available these new I Care offerings. If a driver of any age follows the advice in the book or brochure, their chances of coming home safely are likely to increase. Both the book and brochure give solid, real-world tested tips that are simple and effective. Check out the book for yourself and see what we mean.

It’s all part of the Humanity Project’s daily push for a more respectful world. In this case, we call it respect on the roads. Because when is respect among people more urgent than when we’re on the highway? We hope you’ll download the book, read it … and share it, please. What better way to show someone that you care?

Our Very Good Neighbor

There is no simpler or more sincere way to say it… again: Thank you, State Farm. This community-minded organization is now more than 100 years old. For 17 of those years, State Farm has provided vital financial support for the Humanity Project. Recently we received a new major grant that allows us to do important work in 2024. As we always say to our friends at State Farm, “We can’t do it without you.” Those friends include the wonderful Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst, who always is there in many ways to help the community.

This year State Farm funding allows us to tackle a huge overhaul of our I Care program, which teaches critical lessons to teens and parents about “respect on the roads.” Because, really, when is respect for ourselves and others more immediately essential than when we’re driving? Since 2012, I Care has been reaching thousands of families with this core message, taught through teen-created books, websites, live workshops and more. A team of teenagers has just completed work on an updated, modernized version of our I Care books — and we expect to make everything available to the public for free in the coming days.

The evidence is clear, demonstrating that teens can improve the driving habits of their peers. Parents also greatly influence the driving of their teenage motorists, research shows. I Care seizes on this evidence in order to enlist both teens and parents in the battle against distracted driving. These collaborations include an innovative free website for parents of teen drivers: www.thp4parents.com ("The Humanity Project 4 Parents").

State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the 2023 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, visit http://www.statefarm.com.

So once more, we feel proud to be associated with this fine company. And yes, the Humanity Project can think of no better way to express our gratitude than to say, simply and sincerely … thank you, State Farm.

State Farm Saves Lives

The Humanity Project's acclaimed "I Care" program has helped teen drivers, and parents of teen drivers, avoid car crashes for more than a decade. Now a major new State Farm grant will allow teens working under Humanity Project guidance to create a new up-to-date book on safe driving... and to offer the book free online to anyone who is interested in its important lessons. The hard copy book also will be available to schools, courts, State Farm agents and others who request it. Evidence proves parents greatly influence the driving of their teenage motorists ...if those adults understand how to help. Teens also can improve the driving habits of their peers, research shows. "I Care!" seizes on this evidence in order to enlist both teens and parents in the battle against distracted driving. The program is funded by a generous grant from State Farm, which helped create the Humanity Project "I Care" driver safety program in 2012 -- and has funded this program each year since. These collaborations include an innovative free website for parents of teen drivers: www.thp4parents.com ("The Humanity Project 4 Parents").

The “I Care” program falls under the Humanity Project mission of “instilling greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity” and our trademarked motto, “Equality For Each, Respect For All” in this way: We teach the importance of respect on the roads. Where else in daily life is mutual respect more immediately important than on our dangerous highways, where distracted drivers cause so many crashes and near-crashes? A recognition of the value of our own lives and the lives of others helps us make safety-conscious decisions when motoring. We thank State Farm once again, our loyal partners in this and other programs since 2008. And we hope you will help us to thank them by visiting their website and looking over the many excellent services they offer. State Farm, we can’t do it without you.

Food, toys and families

We’ve got a new podcast you may enjoy — something special for the upcoming holiday season. And because we’d rather have you listen than read about it, we’ll keep this blog very brief.

It’s another delightful chat with our good friend, Jose Soto, Corporate Responsibility Analyst for State Farm. As you know, State Farm has sponsored the Humanity Project every year starting in 2008 — and that public-spirited company is the reason our acclaimed I Care program exists. You likely also know that State Farm is among the most generous and responsible companies in this nation. And so once more this holiday season, State Farm is helping out with food drives, toy drives and more. In our podcast you’ll also hear about ways that you can assist families in need during this season of giving. As always, big thanks to State Farm! Listen to the podcast.

Good Neighbors, Through Thick and Thin

What can you say about someone who is always there for you, in good times and bad? Even more unusual, what can you say about a major corporation that never falters in their support, no matter how challenging the circumstances?

At the Humanity Project, we have two words for such a corporation: State Farm.

This genuinely public-spirited company has been a consistent sponsor of the Humanity Project since 2008, when they backed our new antibullying programs. Now those programs are firmly established and highly acclaimed — an achievement that might never have happened without State Farm. In more recent years State Farm has helped us create and expand our innovative I Care program, teaching teens and adults to drive attentively and with respect for the lives of everyone on the roads.

Well before the current COVID-19 crisis, State Farm approved the Humanity Project’s grant application for $15,000 to take I Care to the next level. But here is what you need to know about our good neighbors: Once the economic freefall began along with an unprecedented social lockdown, State Farm honored their commitment. Those funds are already in the Humanity Project account. To us, that money says everything. It says this is a quality company guided by the finest ethical principles.

We must specifically give our deep gratitude to Jose Soto, State Farm’s Corporate Responsibility Analyst for Florida and Georgia. Jose is widely regarded as a great asset to our communities. State Farm is lucky to have Jose — and the Humanity Project is fortunate to work with this wonderful man.

So yes, State Farm does more than call itself the good neighbor company. In good times, in bad times, through thick and thin, they prove over and over what being a good neighbor really means. And in the midst of a historic worldwide crisis, what could be more important? Thank you, once again, State Farm!

Our Summer School

Some of our summertime Humanity Club student leaders

This is a very busy summer at the Humanity Project!

For the first time in our nearly 14-year history we’re running three full summer programs, each of them through the Broward County Parks & Recreation Department. On Tuesdays, we’re at Boulevard Gardens Community Center with one group of all-girl student leaders. On Wednesdays, we’re at Lafayette Hart Park with a second group of girls. And on Thursdays, the Humanity Project goes to Sunview Park for an all-boy club that’s working on our I Care program.

So rather than take up a lot more time with words just now, let us show you a few more pics you may enjoy!

Our great summer intern, Noel Murray, with one of the girls

We love working with these enthusiastic, very smart girls

The guys of our I Care Club, helping us teach others about #respectontheroads

An engaged group of young men who care

Wow! New Website 4 Parents Of Teen Drivers!

Please don’t spend a lot of time reading this blog, OK? We’re going to keep it very brief …

Why? So instead you can spend some time exploring our brand new resource: “The Humanity Project 4 Parents.” It’s a fun, funny and educational website for parents of teen drivers, an interactive online workshop that teaches rather than preaches. You’ll see what we mean if you check it out: Visit the new thp4parents website!

An alternative SF logo THUMBNAIL -- new Jan 2015.jpg

The site was made possible by generous funding from our great friends, and very good neighbors, at State Farm. At www.thp4parents.com you’ll find the information and tools to help you make sure your teen driver comes home in one piece — and you do too. It’s all about #respectontheroads … So yes, head over to the new site now, if you would be so kind. And please pass along the link to some parents who can use it.

Let's Talk Auto Safety

We've posted a new podcast -- and it might just help you prevent an auto crash. So we'll keep this blog post very brief today. Instead, we hope you'll go listen to our conversation with Jose Soto, a community affairs specialist from State Farm, and Doreen Cannon, a longtime State Farm agent. Go to the podcast page. 

You'll hear a discussion about auto safety for teens and parents, something the folks at State Farm know more than a little about. As do we here at the Humanity Project, where we created the I Care safe driving program for teens and their parents. Check out the podcast. The guests are interesting, the talk is informative. And of course, as always, the podcast is free to download. We think you'll enjoy it. 

Respect, Pride and Beyond

The Humanity Project at Westwood Heights Elementary as our Anti-bullying Through The Arts program begins ...

The Humanity Project is tackling the largest, most ambitious campaign in our 12-year history. And we've already begun ... Through at least the full 2017-18 school year, and perhaps longer, our nonprofit will work intensively at Westwood Heights Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the very recent past, Westwood Heights was an F-grade school, rising now to a C-grade school through the efforts of their amazing principal, Jodi Washington, and her fine staff. But Mrs. Washington tells us much remains to be done in the school and in the neighborhood. 

Bullying is a major problem, affecting many students including LGBTQ children and others who may stand out as potential targets of hostility. Most of the school's kids struggle with inadequate food when not in school for free meals. Even school supplies such as backpacks are scarce. And the surrounding neighborhood is impoverished, rundown and struggling with crime and other problems. The school itself is sometimes a victim of these crimes. The Humanity Project hopes to change things. 

The Humanity Project delivers 315 backpacks to Westwood Heights Elementary, August 24, 2017 

We began by arranging a major donation of nearly 400 backpacks. More than 300 of these came from a generous contribution by our friends at Costco, others came through Trinity Lutheran Church, the New River Orchestra and members of the Humanity Project Board of Directors and Leadership Council. So far this year, every child who's needed a backpack has received one. Then we presented our acclaimed Anti-bullying Through The Arts program to the entire student population, grades K - 5. It went well. Next week, we begin our Humanity Club at Westwood Heights, teaching several handpicked all-girl student leaders about our Humanity Project core values of respect, diversity and self-worth ... then helping them create and present their own program about these values to the entire school. Every student will be asked to sign a pledge to treat all other students with respect for the full academic year, in and out of school. We'll follow up with contests, games, art projects, a planned Garden of Respect and much more. 

This is where our campaign will far exceed any previous work by the Humanity Project: We plan to hold parent workshops to teach good parenting skills and involve parents in their child's education. We will also approach local community leaders, including gang members, to bring them into our efforts with the goal of making Westwood Heights a focal point of neighborhood pride. We'll need lots of help from everyone at Westwood Heights and our South Florida friends, including additional funding from sponsors. As always, our programs are free to the schools. But we're already fortunate to have partners such as Our Fund, Lucky's Market, New River Orchestra, Children's Services Council of Broward County and others helping us in this sweeping project. As the year goes along, we'll keep you updated on our progress. And of course, we'll continue providing our anti-bullying, Humanity Club and unique I Care teen driver safety programs to the community at the same time. All for free. 

As we said, it's an ambitious campaign. But we are confident that with lots of committed assistance by our friends and colleagues, we can make a significant difference in both this school and in this community. 

Classics & Kids

We have something very special to announce, a first-ever event of this type by the Humanity Project. And we're calling it, "Classics & Kids: A Musical Performance for the Humanity Project." If you're in South Florida during late July this year, you won't want to miss it. 

Classics & Kids will feature a Haitian children's choir and a full symphony orchestra in a delightful summery pops concert to benefit the Humanity Project. Proceeds will go to our programs for kids including our Anti-bullying Through The Arts, Humanity Club and I Care teen driver safety programs. The New River Orchestra will be joined by the St. Clements Children's Choir for works by Holst, Moussorgsky, Strauss, Rossini and others as well as pieces by Henry Mancini and selections from Pirates of the Caribbean. What fun on a warm afternoon. 

Tickets are only $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Mark your calendar for July 29 from 4-6 p.m. at the United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale, our friends who are hosting the event for us. You can buy tickets safely online through Eventbrite, the respected Internet ticket agency. Here's the link to find out more about our concert: Visit the Humanity Project ticket site for more info and to buy tickets!

We're very excited by this fundraiser ... and we hope that many of you will want to join us. Classics & Kids on a languid South Florida weekend afternoon -- who could ask for anything more? 

 

First Workshop Was A Hit

Our first I Care Live workshop attracted a full crowd of engaged parents on April 19 -- and the program was a hit. These intimate sessions have a simple message, delivered with humor and interactive exercises. That message: Parents must practice what they preach to their teenagers about safe driving.

 

Research clearly shows that parents are the key in reaching teen drivers. If the parents are distracted and careless drivers, their kids are more likely to behave the same way behind the wheel. If the parents are focused and careful, though, their teenage motorists stand a much better chance of driving safely too. The I Care Live workshops are free, sponsored by State Farm.

We were joined by State Farm agent, Jane Freilich, and her colleague, adding their experience to the comments and questions. The half-hour workshops feature all original videos, interactive games and demos along with information intended to inspire good driving, not to frighten parents. They're fun, funny and memorable evenings for mothers and fathers who care about the safety of their motoring children. To schedule your workshop, contact the Humanity Project at 954-205-2722. We look forward to hearing from you.

I Care Live Workshops ... Free!

After nearly a year of planning and preparation, of development and creation, our I Care Live workshops are about to begin. These free workshops are sponsored by our very good neighbors at State Farm. They're the live version of our I Care driver safety program, which we began in 2012 for teens only ... then expanded to become a program for parents too. Research shows parents are the main influence on the driving habits of their teenage motorists: If the parents are distracted poor drivers, their kids are more likely to drive the same way.

So our live workshops are for the parents only. We will work with small groups of parents in intimate settings to show them why they need to practice what they preach. Like all the other elements of I Care, we avoid scare tactics. These 25-minute workshops are fun, funny and memorable. And we believe parents will leave with a fresh understanding about their responsibilities as parents of teen drivers. To schedule your I Care Live workshop, just go to our Contact page and get in touch. The sessions are free. If you're not in South Florida, let us know that you're interested anyway -- we'll work with you to get your parent group the materials you need to make a difference.

This website and all materials on it are copyrighted by the Humanity Project®.

(Fables and some music are copyrighted by the author, Robert Spencer Knotts.)

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