Being young, disabled and LGBT

POSTED BY: ALEX DIAZ-GRANADOS

(Editor’s Note: This blog was written especially for the Humanity Project by Alex Diaz-Granados, an activist who lives with cerebral palsy. Through his work with Cerebral Palsy Guidance, he works to bring awareness to issues related to bullying and LGBT rights.)

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) young people face a greater risk of being bullied, as do children with disabilities like cerebral palsy. According to surveys, as many as 81 percent of LGBT students have been bullied, while the numbers for disabled children are as high as 60 percent. For children and young adults with cerebral palsy and who identify or are perceived as LGBT, bullying is a real concern.

How Bullies Target Victims

Bullying refers to persistent, unwanted harassment or intimidation. There is typically a power imbalance between the bully and the victim, with the bully using greater size and strength, or some other factor to intimidate a victim repeatedly. Bullies tend to target their peers who seem powerless, unable or unwilling to fight back as well as those who seem different.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects muscles and movement. For this reason, children with the condition do appear different. They move differently and some may even be unable to walk. Children who identify as LGBT are also perceived as different and for someone living with cerebral palsy and identifying as LGBT, the differences and weaknesses may be doubled in the eyes of a bully.

The Impacts of Bullying

Being disabled and LGBT puts a child in a position of being vulnerable to bullying and it is an issue that needs to be taken seriously because of the consequences. Students who are bullied suffer academically. They miss more school, get lower grades and are more likely to drop out before graduating. They are also less likely to be included in activities and social events.

Victims of bullying are vulnerable to mental health consequences. They are more likely to experience depression, more likely to have attempted suicide. For those bullying victims who have cerebral palsy and are LGBT, the consequences may be even more severe. These children may feel that they have even less power and fewer options for support.

Support for Disabled LGBT Students

Social support for these children is crucial because it provides a network that offers a safe place, others who share the same challenges and, most importantly, friends. Children of all abilities, gender identities and sexuality benefit from strong support from friends and others. This support gives a child confidence, resilience and strength. For those children living with disabilities and identifying as LGBT, there are numerous support groups. Adults who care for these children should help them and encourage them to seek out these groups to make friends, to build strong social bonds, and to cope with the victimization of bullying.

Support is available through www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com. The Humanity Project’s website for socially isolated teens is another valuable resource at www.thp4kids.com.

A Response to Election 2016

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

(Editor’s note: Parts of this blog were originally posted on November 10 by Humanity Project Founder, Bob Knotts, on his personal Facebook page. This blog was adapted for use by the Humanity Project.)

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.” A brilliant idea brilliantly expressed and attributed to Mark Twain. To me, the new historical rhyme is the swing to the right worldwide. In a different way it has happened before. Today we see the right’s appeal in the Philippines and Colombia, in Austria and Russia, in nations great and small around the planet.

And now here in the United States. Historians will write books about the reasons for this: wars and poverty that created tides of immigration, diminishing resources in wealthier countries that stirred fears and resentments, a failing sense of self-value among people who felt privileged by color and place of birth … We may be in for more of this rightward swing before we have less and perhaps we will endure many challenging days. With Mr. Twain, I think it’s simply the great rhyme of history. But from my perspective, history shows us something else: Humanity is fundamentally decent. In time, through whatever means, basic human values win out.

By law, the Humanity Project is non-political. We are a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization whose mission under federal statute is educational and literary. So we offer no position on the outcome of the election. As a nonprofit, we could officially root for no one for president or any other office.

But we can say this much here: Many are deeply troubled by the election for a variety of reasons. And these reasons include the national mood, the disrespectful and contentious tone of public discourse. To those folks I want to offer a thought. We are part of a movement now. We are the keepers of humanity’s best, the individuals appointed to live those basic human values in our daily lives, despite everything and anything.

When I founded the Humanity Project 11 years ago almost to this day, I had in mind a movement of people who believed in the innate greatness of every individual — and found practical ways to encourage that belief in others. That’s still my vision, expressed through programs for children. And so I see history’s latest right-wing verse as an opportunity, a fresh opening to advance the cause of this organization and of all who believe in humanity. The Humanity Project can be seen now as just one part of “the humanity project,” (lower case) to represent the efforts of everyone in this movement. I hope more folks will join The Humanity Project as an outlet for their efforts toward these goals. And I hope that more of us use this election to summon a greater determination to become part of “the humanity project.” In the words of another great American writer, William Faulkner: “I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail.” So do I.

Meet Our New Leadership Council

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

The Humanity Project’s new Leadership Council is a prestigious, hand-picked group of community leaders who assist the Humanity Project in many ways. These parent/child teams help create program content that will appeal to other parents and kids. They serve as consultants and advisers. And they are ambassadors to carry our ideas and programs into the local community and beyond.

The Leadership Council was first created under a generous 2016 grant from State Farm as part of the Humanity Project’s I Care teen driver safety program. State Farm has supported the creation, then the dissemination and expansion of our unique I Care program — and we’re very grateful for their continuing assistance.

Here are the members of our first Humanity Project Leadership Council:

Peter Finley & Anya:

Peter Finley is an Assistant Dean in the Huizenga Business College at Nova Southeastern University. He also teaches courses in Sport Administration and is a member of the Blazing Paddles Dragon Boat team in Hollywood, Florida. A student with Florida Virtual School, Anya enjoys musical theater, language arts and trying out new recipes.

Simone Finnis & Natalia:

Simone Finnis is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with two private practice locations in Broward County, Florida. She also is a children’s book author and the former Director of Ministry and Family Services at a large non-denominational church. A high school student and member of Leadership Broward, Natalia enjoys volunteering with children, the homeless and animals.

Gretchen Rovira & Sebastian:

Gretchen Rovira is Family Outreach Coordinator for the Federation of Families and South Florida Wellness Network. As a Certified Addiction Professional, she has wide experience that includes work in a psychiatric hospital and in a residential program for Hispanics. An elementary school student, Sebastian is a dedicated video gamer whose next goal is to create YouTube videos.

Piper Spencer & Christian:

Piper Spencer is a longtime middle school science teacher with a degree in oceanography. She is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a string bass player with the Broward Symphony and New River Orchestras, also playing ukulele with various ensembles. A Fine Arts graduate from Florida International University, Christian works as an after school counselor and is the author/illustrator of two children’s books.

We’re proud of this distinguished group. And we welcome all of them to the growing Humanity Project family!

Welcoming a New Sponsor ... and a New Friend

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

The Humanity Project is proud today to announce the addition of an important new sponsor — and a valuable new friend for our kids. You may not know the name right now … but you will. Because this educational center for teaching the Spanish language is an official arm of one of the most famous, prestigious universities in the world. We are honored.

The new school is called ELE USAL Florida, which is an acronym for the full name in Spanish: Escuela de Lengua Espanola de la Universidad de Salamanca Florida. The Spanish Language School of the University of Salamanca in Florida. The institution in Spain is nearly 800 years old. The University of Salamanca was the school of Miguel de Cervantes and Hernan Cortes, among many other famed alumni. Christopher Columbus submitted the plans for his New World expeditions to a panel of expert geographers at the University of Salamanca. It is the third oldest university in the world, the oldest university in Spain and acknowledged all over the planet as a Campus of International Excellence.

Now the University of Salamanca has opened its first Spanish language school in the United States. We are fortunate that this took place recently in the Humanity Project’s backyard, at Coral Springs, Florida … only a 30-minute drive from our office. As a new sponsor of the Humanity Project, ELE USAL Florida brings us not only vital new program funding but also fresh talents and resources to share with our organization. We welcome them to the Humanity Project family with open arms. Click here to visit the website of ELE USAL Florida.

Let me tell you a bit about the great things ELE USAL Florida is doing. Fully supported by the University of Salamanca, ELE USAL Florida offers a wide range of programs for all ages, starting at five-years-old and continuing through retirees. For kids, the school teaches afternoon immersion programs that focus on learning through the arts for younger children – much as we do at the Humanity Project. Theater, music, dance, literature and more are used as tools to connect with young hearts and minds. From ages 12 to 15, fun is mixed with a more academic approach to help these young people grasp the Spanish language. ELE USAL Florida also provides dynamic courses for older students as well as programs geared toward businesses and even Spanish teachers and senior citizens.

With Spanish spoken now by more than a half billion people worldwide, most of us could use at least some knowledge of the language. Here in the United States, we are home to the second largest population of Spanish speakers, behind only Mexico. ELE USAL Florida is an innovative way to learn Spanish, taught by experts with a vast tradition behind them. And ELE USAL Florida promotes the Hispanic culture as part of all courses and activities.

The Humanity Project is very proud to add ELE USAL Florida to our distinguished roster of sponsors. You can find the full list at this page: Visit the Humanity Project Sponsor page.  We very much look forward to working with the new Spanish language school and its remarkable owner, Rosane Santana, for many years to come. We believe our partnership can benefit children, families and the community at large in South Florida and beyond. Thank you, Rosane and ELE USAL Florida.

Playing Peace

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

As founder of the Humanity Project, I am a committed advocate for our organization’s core values: respect for all, the value of diversity, the importance of self-worth. And peace. As you might expect. But not when I was a kid. Back then, I was fascinated by war. I viewed war as heroic. I saw battles as desperate conflicts about good and evil — and of course, I was always on the side of good. Or so I imagined anyway. I fought many a titanic struggle in violent opposition to the forces arrayed against democracy, each a fantasy war played out by a child crawling through a dirt pile or scrambling through the Midwestern woods, toy gun in hand. 

Why was this? Why did war seem glorious to me then? I’ve given this a lot of thought over the years. And I’ve also looked at my experience in the context of today’s kids. Children and teens are playing at war every day, if perhaps more often in ultra-detailed video games rather than outside in the fresh air. Why?

My friend and distinguished colleague, Dr. Laura Finley of Barry University, has written about this issue in her own work as a vocal peace activist. She’s helped me to see even more clearly now the destructive role our society plays in encouraging violence as a form of play. Just think about it. Unless it’s a comedy, almost all blockbuster movies these days glorify violence in some form. So do many television programs, video games, websites and more. The vibe of American culture reminds us that it’s cool to be physically violent for a justified end — look at the action heroes who can take out four villains in a minute’s time. Cool. Explosions are awesome, automatic weapons are amazing, the ability to kill with anything at hand is a virtue. All very cool. As adults, we absorb that ethic too. But kids are especially vulnerable to having their values and beliefs, their thoughts and actions altered by this cultural bias.

So I wondered: Why can’t compassionate writers and peace-loving directors and socially responsible production companies or video gamemakers … why can’t they get together to try changing this? I think it’s possible. As an author of 24 books and five plays, I know something about writing. And my experience tells me that I could create a screenplay or theatrical drama or video game that glorified … peace. Instead of teaching our kids to play war, why not demonstrate how to go about playing peace? It would be challenging but do-able to create characters who defuse tense situations with wit and intelligence rather than with guns and fists. And this only sounds boring because we’re so accustomed to the opposite. Action flicks and exciting scenarios must involve violence — that’s what we’ve learned. But they don’t. Dramatically portraying the passion and compassion of a remarkable human being who confronts enormous odds could be at least as exciting as all the guns and bombs, even more so when this human being overcomes these intense problems to save the day. With peace.

The movie “Gandhi” wasn’t boring, was it? Yes, Gandhi and his supporters stood up to acts of terrible violence shown in the film but I don’t think that’s why the story worked so well. I just watched it again for the umpteenth time recently. It worked because the character was so compelling — and inspiring. The same approach could be explored in different ways with fictional characters and video games. I hope at some point our entertainment community presses for new models to amuse and divert us, the millions of adults and children who are today’s cultural consumers. I believe showing inspirational rather than violent examples of being cool might go a long way toward teaching all of us an important lesson: Violence isn’t cool in reality. It never was. What’s cool is peace.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital / Memorial Healthcare System: GR8 Partners

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

We had a wonderful meeting last week between the Humanity Project and our longtime sponsor, Memorial Healthcare System/Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The results of that meeting mean that the Humanity Project’s innovative program for middle school children will reach many more kids in 2016/17 – children who will learn valuable and memorable lessons about respect, diversity and self-value as part of our Humanity Club program. We’ve agreed to continue this program at Gulfstream Academy and to take it to another school beginning in early 2017. It’s part of the Humanity Project’s acclaimed work of “helping kids to help kids,” something we’ve been doing for nearly 11 years now.

But as we get rolling with our Humanity Club, we have to pause a moment to thank the many wonderful people who work with us at Memorial Healthcare System/Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. They are our friends as well as friends of the community. They are among our key partners and sponsors, which includes their support for our effective I Care teen driver safety program. Memorial Healthcare System/Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital recently agreed to another year’s sponsorship funding for the Humanity Project, vital money that we’re expecting to arrive at our door soon. So yes, today a big thank you is in order. Please take a moment to read some of the many names of these friends and partners. They help us to help kids … and to make life better for many families in the South Florida community and beyond.

We must start with Memorial’s dynamic new CEO, Aurelio Fernandez, who we met at a recent meeting. And Scott Singer, Associate Administrator at JDCH. Another important friend and partner is Milin Espino, Community Relations Director, along with such fine staffers as Jennifer Belyeu and Theresa Garcia among many others. We also have to thank Joanne Joicin of Memorial’s Youth Force program at Gulfstream, and Joanne’s administrator, Cammie Cacace – and other folks in Memorial’s Community Services too, including our longtime friend Tim Curtin and Marilyn Camerota and … And we can’t forget the Humanity Project’s buddy, Lotsy Dotsy the Clown, also known as Linda Herbert. (You can listen to our podcast with her at this link: Hear the podcast with Lotsy Dotsy.)

Lotsy Dotsy visits the Humanity Project

The list goes on. Great folks, each of them. Memorial Healthcare System/Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital does significant work that helps many thousands of people annually – work that is aided in unique and valuable ways by the Humanity Project’s arts-based youth programs. We are proud to call these institutions and these people our friends. Thank you.

Our Eventful Work

Anti-Bullying at Sunshine Elementary: September 2016

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

The Humanity Project has existed for nearly 11 years now. And each year, we connect more and more closely with our community. For us, “our community” means South Florida, where we are based. It also means the United States and Canada, where Humanity Project programs are promoted by our sponsor, Google. Our anti-bullying and anti-distracted driving and other materials are used by students and educators and families in many states and provinces. That helps us to help thousands more kids.

But let me focus today on the local community. We believe in hands-on efforts, taking our acclaimed programs directly to schools, parent groups, organizations, companies as well as to community events. Earlier this month, we gave our first-of-the-school-year Anti-bullying Through The Arts program to more than 400 students at Sunshine Elementary School. Great kids at this school, where they eagerly took part in our anti-bullying lessons.

We also attended the big Back to School Community Extravaganza, which was organized and led by Children’s Services Council of Broward County. It was a wonderful event, bringing out families who were looking for advice for their kids … and for help with things like books, shoes, clothes. We talked to many parents about bullying and diversity and building respect among students as well as the dangers of distracted driving for folks with older children. It was a great day.

This past week the Humanity Project was very pleased to set up our table for the large Behavioral Health Resource Fair at Broward Community College. Indeed the Humanity Project was a sponsor of this event and we worked on the organizing committee to plan the fair. This was another excellent day for us, bringing together hundreds of teachers and social workers, therapists and nonprofit leaders to discuss possible collaborations. We’re excited by some of the colleagues we met and the great potential to work with them to pool our talents and resources.

Behavioral Health Resource Fair

Yes, each year the Humanity Project does more to connect with our community, locally and beyond. We hope to meet you at a school or fair, seminar or event some day soon. Or you can simply contact us by email or phone to talk about one of our programs. We’d love to connect with you.

Anti-Bullying through the Arts ... Again

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

The new school year has begun. And this means our acclaimed Humanity Project anti-bullying programs are about to start too. Anti-bullying Through The Arts is our longtime and highly successful core anti-bullying program. We focus our presentation and the follow up booklet for teachers on one simple concept for elementary schoolkids: “Bullying hurts everyone in this school and it takes everyone to stop it!” By delivering this message powerfully and memorably, our program helps these young kids become an effective anti-bullying force among their peers. If you’d like to learn more about Anti-bullying Through The Arts, click on this link: Read more about the program.

Or … Or you can take a quick look for yourself by checking out one of our YouTube videos. It’s a short sample of the 40-minute program. We think this will give you some sense of what we do:

If you’d like to bring Anti-bullying Through The Arts to your school, please get in touch with us. The program is free, fun … and effective.

Human Rights Education ... & Us

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

The Humanity Project last week received an invitation to join Human Rights Educators USA, a new national network that works to promote human rights education. We were honored at the request – and yes, we joined this worthwhile coalition. Other partners include the American Red Cross, Amnesty International USA and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. Visit the Human Rights Educators USA website.

Human Rights Educators USA  (HRE USA) defines human rights education as “…a lifelong process of teaching and learning that helps individuals develop the knowledge, skills, and values to fully exercise and protect the human rights of themselves and others; to fulfill their responsibilities in the context of internationally agreed upon human rights principles; and to achieve justice and peace in our world.”

At the Humanity Project we help kids to help kids, creating innovative arts-based programs with talented students, then tapping student leaders who bring these programs to their peers. Part of this work involves helping our students to respect themselves and all other people, an appreciation for diversity among individuals. We believe our efforts align nicely with the goals of HRE USA and we’re proud to join their ranks. Human Rights Educators USA is only one of the valuable state, national and international partners who count the Humanity Project among their members. These organizations include Charter for Compassion and the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.

Our work remains helping kids to help kids prevent bullying and distracted driving and to encourage self-value and respect-for-all among their peers. We think Human Rights Educators USA and our other partners are important allies in that effort.

State Farm Agents & I Care

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

Nearly 700 State Farm agents now have full access to the Humanity Project’s unique, effective teen driver safety program. That’s every single State Farm agent in the state of Florida who can download and share our I Care program with teen drivers and their parents. For free. And more of these agents each week also are requesting hard copies of both I Care books. “I Care: Just Let Me Drive,” created by teens, for teens … and “I Care: Just Help Them Drive,” created by parents and teens specifically for the parents of young drivers.

Our program avoids scare tactics, which research shows do not effectively alter driving habits. Instead we use humor and clever writing to connect with young drivers and parents of young drivers. We also have a website with videos, an animated rap song and more. You’ll find that site at www.thehumanityproject.com/icare.

We must give a big shoutout to our great friend at State Farm for helping us reach these Florida insurance agents, who of course handle many thousands of clients for the largest insurance provider in the United States. Jose Soto is Public Affairs Community Specialist for State Farm in Florida – and he’s a man who is highly regarded by the many nonprofits and other community partners who know his work. We think the world of Jose and we’re always grateful for his vital assistance in helping the Humanity Project to expand our I Care program, thereby helping to prevent accidents, injuries and deaths.

We’re very pleased to know each and every State Farm agent in this large state now can share I Care with families from Tallahassee to the Keys. And later this fall the Humanity Project will unveil a new live version of I Care that we’ll bring to parent groups through an entertaining PowerPoint presentation. Stay tuned for more on that exciting news. For the meantime, our thanks again go out to State Farm – good neighbors indeed who help us to connect with more kids and parents who need our valuable teen driver safety program.

Our Fund: The Podcast

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

We will keep this post very brief today for one good reason. We hope you’ll listen rather than read.

There’s a new Humanity Project Podcast recently posted here on our website and on iTunes. We spoke with two top officials from Our Fund, the LGBT community foundation that now sponsors the Humanity Project’s Anti-bullying Through The Arts and Humanity Club programs — and we think you’ll find the conversation entertaining and informative. The program also includes a brand new piece of music composed by Humanity Project Founder Bob Knotts especially for this program, a short classical piece called, “Elegy for Orlando.”

Please take a listen. We’re sure you’ll enjoy what you hear: For the new Our Fund podcast, click here or on the Our Fund logo.  (Then just click once more on the arrow at the top of the page to launch the program. Volume adjustment activates once the podcast is playing.)

**Note: For iPhones, click here to visit the Humanity Project Podcast on iTunes.

An LGBT Adult speaks to LGBT Kids

POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

About a week ago, the Humanity Project received a moving email from a 28-year-old man named Jared Kenwood, who lives in South Florida. Mr. Kenwood’s email included these words: “I was 11 years old when I came out as being gay, not only to my parents but to my whole school. From then on depression, isolation, insecurities, and suicide attempts have taken place.” His email continued, “I want to become a public speaker … and share my story, how I overcame adversity and have been able to move on from homophobia, bullying, and all the things that can lead to suicide and gay bashing …”

One of the ways that the Humanity Project helps kids to help kids is by teaching the importance of diversity, self-value and respect for all people. And our www.thp4kids.com website (“The Humanity Project 4 Kids”) was created to be an online friend by teens, for teens who feel isolated and lonely. So we are pleased to share Mr. Kenwood’s email with you — and his video. We hope you’ll watch it and send the link to anyone who may benefit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKLjKB4wjF0