And we're back.

After a long... ok a very long delay, we're back.

And we're back for a specific reason. A couple of nights ago I was lucky enough to attend the 2011 PFLAG "Straight for Equality" Gala, which is an event honoring straight allies for supporting GLBT people. Not with sweeping political movement, but through "tiny everyday changes - like not omitting the fact that your best friend is gay when you’re telling grandma about him - (to) raise awareness and challenge assumptions and stereotypes."

And it was an amazing event.

We were there with Authentic Community Member Rosie Perez, who was receiving the "Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award" and she gave an amazing, rousing, hilarious, and... well... profanity-laced speech.

But that's not the reason why we're back with the posting. Because, as much as I love Rosie Perez (and boy do I love Rosie Perez), I was totally floored and humbled and inspired by another honoree that night. That honoree was a young man named Hudson Taylor. A champion college wrestler-turned-coach, Hudson received the "Straight for Equality in Sports Award," and recently founded the non-profit Athlete Ally, a "sports resource encouraging all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of their communities, regardless of perceived or actual sexual-orientation or gender identity or expression, and to lead others in doing the same. Athlete Ally provides social advocacy campaigns, on-campus trainings, and practical tools, including resources to locate and learn about allied athletes, coaches, teams, athletic clubs and sports-based advocacy projects around the country."

Hudson Taylor, champion, #winning

Hudson (who's totally straight an engaged by the way, though that should be obvious given the award's called "Straight for Equality") wrestled as a varsity athlete in an environment where some really nasty slurs are tossed around without a second thought. He took a look around, said "Well that's stupid" and slapped the Human Rights Campaign's "=" sticker on his headgear. And he accepted the ridicule and resentment that went along with it.

Because it was the right thing to do.

He's awesome, and you should go check out his organization.

http://www.athleteally.com/

A letter from Bolivia

We got a letter from Fernando in Bolivia today.

He was nice enough to draw a house and a tree with the letter. He even colored inside the lines. What else would you expect from a kid who looks so dapper?

He's in a suit!

Anyway, here's the original letter, written in Spanish.

Spanish

And here's the translation in English.

English

It's such a formal letter; he signs off with "I send greetings." Would you expect anything less from a kid who wears a suit? I'm not saying he wears that suit all the time... but I'm not saying he doesn't either.

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!

Artwork!

After a long hiatus, we're back with some new artwork!

First off, here is a really freaking cool paper airplane we were sent... but I've lost the letter that came with it, so I don't know which kid sent it!!! Still, whoever did it, was super talented. Of course, all our kids are super talented... so let's give credit to all of them.

Awesome paper airplane

Also, here are three pretty flowers from Likhon in Bangladesh.

Flowers

And an epic action scene from Fernando in Bolivia. Fernando's scene has fire and bikes and a dude with a cape. I think we've got a young Michael Bay on our hands here!

Action!!!

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!

"UGLY BETTY" Auction for Mali

After a long hiatus we're back, and what an exciting event to return with!

Authentic Community Member America Ferrera is still raising the money to build a school in Mali and her friends at ABC, UGLY BETTY, and Axelle Fine Arts Gallery are helping out. On Monday, April 12th, they're hosting an auction of the great paintings from the UGLY BETTY episode "The Passion of the Betty" with all proceeds going toward the Mali school!

There will be paintings and food and drinks and video; everything you need to have a great night for a great cause. It will be a fantastic event and we hope you can join us!

Click on the image below to purchase tickets:

Or, if you can't attend, visit the Cause Page to donate directly!

Greenifesto

As part of our ongoing commitment to mindfulness of both our impact on the world, and our inherent interdependence, Authentic is engaging in a open-ended process to mitigate our impact on the environment as a company and as individuals. We are clear that through careful attention to our consumption, we can dramatically reduce our fossil fuel-based energy use, we can create significantly less waste, and we can work to abate our emissions and consumption. We'll be doing this in a number of different ways, including:

• Flying 20% less miles in 2010. Flying generates much more greenhouse gases than driving; by consolidating smaller trips, flying direct, and using trains when possible, we will be able to cut our carbon emissions dramatically.
• Using 50% less paper in 2010. We're reading our scripts electronically and being much more careful about what we print.
• Using only environmentally safe cleaning chemicals for the office.
• Making public transportation available to our employees through the New York City TransitCheck program, and encouraging our team to use taxis only as a rare exception.
• Cutting general waste by 25%. We've dramatically reduced our use of disposable goods and we're committed to vigilance in recycling.
• Offsetting our carbon emissions via the purchase of trees through projects like the New York Restoration Project and/or carbon offsets via organizations like TerraPass.

We're also taking a look at our personal consumption, and exploring solar energy, composting, and recycling in our every day lives.

We encourage our clients, business partners, and friends to join us in our journey toward sustainability and well-being for the entire planet.

America in Mali

Here are some pictures from America's trip to Mali. Visit America's Facebook Page to get all the details for each picture. It sounds like she had an amazing time!

Photo Credits: Save the Children

I know I told you guys to visit her Facebook page for the photo details, but I have to comment on this one. Here's a picture of America with all of the gifts the Chief of Ifola gave her as she was leaving. Two lives goats, 1/2 a sack of grain, and a gorgeous handmade robe. Here's my comment... HOW COOL IS THAT!??!!

America with her gifts

We're still trying to raise $44k for the school; we've got about $10k so far. Please visit the Cause Page and help donate if you can!

Holiday Party Artwork

This year's Authentic Community Holiday Party was a roaring success -- thanks to everyone who attended, and especially Authentic Community Member Ron for hosting the party at his beautiful restaurant / bar B. East.

That night, we drew so much artwork for the kids that we ran out of paper. I can't post them all, but here are some highlights.

A penguin with a guitar. Really, how can I kid not love this?

A beautiful boat on a tranquil sea.

A snowman... smiling at the sun...

I totally drew this awesome frog.

A worm in the Big Apple!

Thanks to all those who drew pictures! I'm sure the kids will LOVE them!

Our sponsorship program for these kids has finished, but you can help us with our new program: Building a school in Mali.

Help America Ferrera build a school in Mali!

Jon and America are going to visit remote areas in Mali in January to learn about Save the Children’s education programs and to help Save the Children raise money to build a school in Mali! During the trip, America will be updating her Facebook page with photos and videos.

Follow her at www.facebook.com/AmericaFerrera and help get this school built!

Photo Credits: Save the Children/Michael Bisceglie

Here is an excerpt of the note America wrote for about the trip. Read the rest of the posting at her Facebook page!

I'm so excited and incredibly lucky to be going to Mali with Save the Children in January - just a few short months!! For those of you who don't know, Mali is located in the northwestern part of Africa. Most of the inhabitants live in the southern region of the country, around the Niger and Senegal rivers. The northern border is the very hot, very inhospitable Sahara Desert. Mali's key industries are mining and agriculture. It is a very beautiful country.

Sadly, however, Mali is also one of the poorest countries in the world; nearly 3 out of 4 people live on less than $2 per day. On average, a child completes only 6 years of schooling. Most kids drop out in 5th grade. Nearly 800,000 school-age kids are out of school; 3 out of 5 are girls.

As a Save the Children Artist for Education, I'm going to Mali to get to know the children and families and to help spread the message that education is essential for all people. But, most importantly, I'm going to help build an actual school... and you can help too!

For the school to be built, we need to raise a minimum of $44,000. The school will be complete with 3 classrooms, a headmaster’s room and bathrooms for both boys and girls. Once we reach our goal and the school has been built, Save the Children will provide the skilled teachers and learning resources the children need to make the most of their education. If we raise less than $44,000 or exceed our goal and raise more than $44,000, the funds will be put to good use to support Save the Children’s education programs in Mali.

Give whatever you can, any amount brings us closer to the goal. Even if you can't give, please pass the message along to your friends and family! That helps, too.

When I arrive, I'll update my page with pictures and later I'll post videos from the trip.

Thanks again for your interest and for helping me with this important project. Every time a child learns, we all benefit. Please help to make a difference in the life of a child in Mali and you'll make a difference in your own life as well.

- America

So, as you can tell, it's an amazing and important cause. Education has such a profound effect on the development of a country's future. Just look at these stats on the effects of education from Save the Children's "State of the World's Mothers 2009" Report.

The Effects of Education:

• When girls go to school and stay in school longer, they have a better chance to grow up healthy, well-nourished, economically empowered and resourceful when it comes to the health and education of their own children.
• Educated girls tend to marry later, have fewer children, healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries.
• Educated mothers are better equipped to provide a positive early learning environment for their young children in the home and to support their children’s educational progress when they go to school.

What a profound and amazing effect we can have! Please visit the cause page and Join America Ferrera to Help Save the Children Build a School in Mali.

Artwork!

We got some artwork from the Philippines!

April-Gaye, Authentic Community Member Julie's sponsor match, sent us a new picture in a pink shirt, and a very cool picture of a house. She also sent us an info sheet letting us know her favorite color is red, her favorite food is salad, and her favorite pastime is gardening. So she can totally garden her own salads.

April-Gaye, age 9

A house

And here's another little girl from the Philippinnes, Karen-Joy, an anonymous donor's match. Like April-Gaye, she sent us a drawing (a pretty flower) and an info sheet. Her favorite color is yellow, her favorite food is chicken, and her favorite pastime is watching TV. So she can totally order her own chicken after watching a commercial for it.

Karen-Joy, age 7

A pretty flower

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!

Artwork! Letters!

More Artwork and Letters from Bangladesh!

This week we got some correspondence from Authentic Community Member Kat's match, Pinki. Here's a nice new picture of her in a snazzy red shirt.

Pinki, age 10

She's in the fourth grade and her favorite subject is Bangla. She reads and plays and is very active. Some of the programs she's been able to take part in include annual sports, vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatment, and first aid kit management.

She sent us a letter telling us about her life. She lives with her family (parents and 1 brother) and she likes to dance and sing. She told us red is her favorite color, which totally makes sense considering how she looks in the shirt up there. Attached to the letter was a great picture of a flower.

Bangla

English

Finally, she also sent us a separate picture of several flowers, a flag, and a person. I think she must really like flowers because she drew 4 of them... and her flag kind of looks like a flower... and her person looks like it has a flower for a head. A really pretty flower for a head though!

Flowers and things that look like flowers!

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!

Artwork! Letters!

Artwork and letters and updates!

This is from Rajani in Bangladesh.

Rajani, age 8

She's taken part in some amazing programs including vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatment, and a reception ceremony. Currently, she's enrolled in the first grade in a local primary school, where her favorite subject is Bangla. Very convenient, because here's a letter she's sent us THAT'S TOTALLY WRITTEN IN BANGLA!

Bangla

There's an awesome picture there too. I think they're flowers... you'll see why in a bit. Also, as there are people reading whose favorite subject wasn't Bangla, I've included the English translation of her letter. It's like 75% less cool.

English

Finally, she drew us these really awesome flowers. The one on the right looks very similar to the picture in her letter... so using my detective skills, I determined the drawing in the letter was a flower.

Bangla flowers

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!

New Kids

The following kids moved out of the area for Save the Children, and are no longer eligible for the programs sponsorship provides.

Juan from El Salvador

Mamot from the Philippines

Ariana from the US (kids in the US can't have their pictures posted)

We're sorry to see them go, but I'd like to introduce you to their replacements!

Here are Bryan from El Salvador, Glory-Cris from the Philippines, and Kendra from the US.

Bryan is Juan's replacement. He's an active kid that plays with his friends and lives with his mother in a wood framed home. He attends school in a combined kindergarten through eighth grade school. Glory-Cris is Mamot's replacement. She lives with her mom, dad, and sister and is still very shy. She's in pre-school. Kendra is Ariana's replacement. She lives with her mom, dad, and 2 brothers. She is very happy and loves playing with toys. She attends a local public elementary school.

Welcome to the new kids! I'm sure they look forward to receiving some artwork and participating in the programs Save the Children provides.

Bryan, age 7

Glory-Cris, age 7

Kendra, age 6 (from the US so no picture)

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!

Letters!

A letter from Egypt.

So rad.

This one is from Mayada, the match for Authentic Community Member Sonya.

Mayada, age 6

At our last artwork party, Authentic Community Member Lily drew Mayada a pretty picture. Mayada (with help from an adult) sent back this letter:

Egyptian

It's in Egyptian! How cool is that?*

Here's the English translation:

English

Our match program is complete, but you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!


* Jon says this is probably in Arabic. My mistake!

Updates and Artwork!

New updates from our kids!

First is Authentic Community Member Meg's match, Shaymali from Bangladesh. Here's her new headshot. Snazzy!

Shaymali in Oct 2009

Shaymali's update says she's benefited from Reading for Children 2, Kisholoy Pre-School, and First Aid Kit management. She's in preschool and that her favorite subject is art. I think you can tell that by the wonderful picture she drew for us.

Shaymali's picture.
A burst of love and color. And flowers.

Rasel from Bangladesh is next. He's the match for Authentic Community Member Kathy, and here's his new picture.

Rasel in Oct 2009

Rasel is in kindergarten and also likes art most. He's friendly by nature and during the day he reads and plays. He's benefited from Reading for Children 2, Kisholoy Pre-School, vitamin A suppleand First Aid Kit management.

Here's the great picture he drew for us!

Rasel's picture.
A plant, ladder, and bug of some kind.

Finally, here's Sant from Nepal, Authentic Community Member Tom's match.

Sant in Oct 2009

He's in the first grade now, and his favorite subject is Nepali. That's like English, but in Nepal. Thanks so the sponsorship, he participated in the following programs: Health Package Program (improves nutritional and health status, includes check-ups), Support of Schools Program (to promote a child-rights-based framework for education with teacher training, drinking water, etc), and Student Support Program (stationary, uniforms, tutors, etc).

Those are great programs. And here's some great artwork!

Sant's picture
Flowers and a bird.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored! And while our match program is complete, you can still sponsor as well! Visit Save the Children to do it!