kids.now

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Summer, 2010

kids stories

Before taking the kids.now program Scott kept his thoughts and opinions to himself and followed the crowd. Now, he's gained the confidence to make choices based on what's best for him. read Scott's story, and the stories of other kids.now program participants.

did you know?

97% of parents ranked strong self-esteem as the single most important life skill for grade 7 and 8 kids preparing to enter high school. And more than 90% rank the importance of problem solving, managing conflict and communication skills above academic ability. read more.

media hit of the season

The September 2010 issue of Today's Parent magazine features the kids.now program in "Boost your School," an article which offers a list of ready-made programs at low- or no cost that can provide schools and students with the help they need to thrive. read more.

quotable quotes

"I used to beat people up, the kids.now program makes me want to be a better man."

13-year old kids.now program participant

Happy New Year!

Okay, so it's nowhere near the first of January, but doesn't September always feel like the start of a new year? I always feel like I should be learning something new or challenging myself to try something different. Sometimes I even make new resolutions. This year I've decided to focus on making the kids.now program even better than ever! But I can't do it alone - I need your help.

Over the next few months you may see some links to online questionnaires and requests for feedback on various things kids.now related (for example, we are currently conducting a survey to gain feedback on the kids.now website and this e-publication ). I would like to ask that you take a few minutes to answer our questions as they come... or, feel free to contact us anytime that's convenient for you to offer your thoughts, concerns, opinions, praise or recommendations on anything kids.now-related.

Together, we can create an even better program to help kids make positive choices and reach their full potential.

I look forward to hearing form you.

Sincerely,
Janet King
president and founder, kids.now

Easing back-to-school anxiety

It’s hard to believe that summer vacation has come to an end and we’re now in full back-to-school mode. While this time of year can be exciting, it can also be a time of great stress and anxiety for kids. Many worry about making new friends, facing old foes, or the pressure of a larger workload upon entering a higher grade. kids.now offers a few tips and resources to make the transition a little less daunting. read on.

Finally, news to make parents feel less guilty for a change

Feeling bad that you're not spending enough time with the kids? Relax, survey says you're around more than you think. read more.

How to raise an optimistic child

The research is clear: optimism leads to happiness, health and success. But, the really great news is that optimism, unlike how tall a child will be, is something we can change, and even teach. Parenting expert, Dr. Karen Reivich offers simple, everyday activities and strategies to help you help your kids think optimistically. read more.

Profile of a kids.now volunteer

Melissa has been a volunteer kids.now coach-mentor and trainer for over six years. She talked to us about what keeps her coming back, and offers some advice to new kids.now volunteer coach-mentors. read more.

Fancy yourself a writer? Then enter the kids.now blogger contest!

kids.now is currently looking for an enthusiastic volunteer who will be delivering the kids.now program during the fall/winter 2010 season to share his/her unique experiences and adventures as a kids.now coach-mentor, in a weekly blog on our website. Interested? Great! enter here.

Becoming an effective youth mentor

Donating your time is a start, but if you want to make a real difference, you need to be open, honest and non judgemental. For other key characteristics that make an effective youth mentor, read the article.

Volunteer coach-mentors wanted

If you knew donating just 1.5 hours of the 168 you have available per week, could change 10 kids' lives forever, would you do it? Here's your opportunity! kids.now is currently looking for volunteer coach-mentors throughout Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick. If you or someone you know, might be interested in a life-changing opportunity, visit our coaches’ corner on our website to learn more or fill in an application.

There's still time to Go to Bat for kids.now and a chance at a trip to the World Series!

State Farm and Major League Baseball (MLB) have selected kids.now as one of the charities fans can support in their Go to Bat program, while also aiming to win a trip for two to the 2010 World Series!

Each week (until September 26, 2010), State Farm will choose one winner to receive tickets to the World Series, their charity of choice will then have the chance to win up to $25,000 that week. In addition, at the end of the season, the charity with the most total entries will be awarded $25,000.

Getting involved is super easy, and fun. Simply register online at www.statefarm.com/gotobat, select kids.now as your charity of choice (we are listed under Human Services), and play a fun, online batting game every day. The more you play, the more you increase both our chances of winning! So be sure to play every day. read more.

A hole-in-one for kids.now

The 5th Annual Deerhurst Resort Pro Am Tournament in support of kids.now was a great success!

A big thank you to all teams who registered, the CPGA pros who donated their time, Deerhurst Resort, and all of our event sponsors, including: presenting sponsor, Samsung; hole sponsors: Blu Marketing, Rogers, Blackberry, Affinity Electronics, IDG, Cesium Telecom, State Farm and Microcell; and silent auction donors: LG Canada, Seven Stars Resorts, Provo Golf Club and Nike. We couldn't have done it withouth you!

To experience the fun you missed (or to re-live it), please view our photo album on Facebook.

The Little Give gave a lot!

kids.now's marketing and communications team was delighted to have worked recently with a team of professionals from Edelman PR to develop a new online communication strategy, as part of the Edelman's 2010 "The Little Give" initiative. Though "Team Burgandy SUPERstars" may not have won the big prize, they are certainly winners in our book. Thanks Edelman for your support, advice and seed money to get our project going, read more.

Well connected?

Then we're looking for you! kids.now is currently seeking a volunteer Chair for our new fundraising committee. If you, or someone you know, is interested in a professional development and personal growth opportunity, please see the position posting.

Make it your own - we want to hear from you!

kids.now launched several new online communication tools over the last year, including a fully re-designed website, Twitter and Facebook profiles, as well as this The News For Now e-publication. Now, we'd like to hear what you think. Please take our short online survey, by October 8, 2010, to provide your feedback and suggestions on ways we can improve our website and e-publication, so that we may communicate with each other more effectively. take the survey now.