Fostering Kindness for Others and Ourselves

"When they came to me, it was like, you're not in a foster home. You’re in a family." - Mrs. Beavers, Foster documentary [View Online]( Fostering Kindness for Others and Ourselves [Foster Documentary]( [Foster]( documentary: Mrs. Beavers with her family – Jake, Casi, and Sydney "When they came to me, it was like, you're not in a foster home. You’re in a family." - Mrs. Beavers, Foster documentary [fb]( [tw]( FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH [Foster documentary: Raeanne holds her daughter, Kris’Lyn during a supervised visit ]( [Foster]( documentary: Raeanne holds her daughter, Kris’Lyn during a supervised visit This month Participant Media is proud to acknowledge National Foster Care Month by using our platforms to start larger conversations about foster care in America. Currently, close to 400,000 children and youth are in foster care today. In an effort to further elevate this issue, Participant toured 10 states to share the release of [Foster]( , our latest documentary which premiered on HBO for Foster Care Awareness Day (May 7th). The screenings were paired with panel discussions for audiences of changemakers, including child welfare agencies, government professionals, and advocacy organizations such the Quality Parenting Initiative. Driving home the message of “our children,” not “those children,” the campaign hopes to impart a better understanding of the foster care system and the children and teens placed in it while also seeking solutions to protecting those children. Protecting youth in foster care lies deep in the hearts of Oscar-winning filmmakers Deborah Oppenheimer and Mark Jonathan Harris. Foster is the first documentary to step inside the inner workings of the American Foster care system, providing honest and valuable footage of what life is like for both social workers and foster youth. Currently, 1 in 8 children suffers a combined case of neglect or abuse by age 18 and more than 400,000 of these children and teens are part of the U.S. foster care system. Nevertheless, Foster inspires hope. In conjunction with our dedication to creating social change, the documentary serves as a call to action for public support and involvement. For more information about how you can get involved, check out the resources below. [Spotlight on Foster Documentary]( Spotlight on Foster Documentary Foster interweaves compelling first-hand stories of those navigating the child welfare system with insights from social workers, advocates and others in the justice system to offer a realistic but hopeful perspective on a community in need of support and understanding. Foster is more than just a movie; it's a call to action. From becoming a court-appointed special advocate (CASA), to mentoring a child in foster care, to simply fundraising or donating supplies or learning how to become a foster parent, there are many ways you can become a source of positivity for children and families in the foster care system after watching the film. And Participant's own initiative will bring individuals, organizations, corporations and government agencies together to rally for change. The objectives of the campaign are twofold: (1) Change perceptions of foster youth from "those children" to "OUR children," and (2) Accelerate solutions aimed at supporting children and families to thrive, not just survive. Learn more at [thefosterfilm.com]( . [Get Involved]( . [Foster Documentary: Video clips]( Interviews with the Foster Cast & Crew Before they ever shot a second of footage, Foster filmmakers [Deborah Oppenheimer and Mark Jonathan Harris]( spent several years conducting research, building trust, and listening to the people who make up the system. It took a village—or, in this case, the largest foster care system in the United States—to make this film, and the crew’s efforts were rewarded with unprecedented access from the Department of Child and Family Services of Los Angeles County to tell some of the most revealing stories of the people in the system. Recently, we caught up with [Raeanne]( whose story is featured in the documentary. Her story is often difficult, but it is one of hope. In the film, Raeanne is trying to remain with her newborn daughter, Kris’Lyn, who is removed from her care after being born with drugs in her system. Custody is granted to Kris’Lyn’s father while Raeanne receives treatment. In our conversation with [Mary]( another of the film’s subjects, we hear about Mary’s experience as a foster youth and what kept her motivated as she never found a permanent placement and moved through 19 homes. [Watch]( . [The F Word]( The F Word In case you missed it: Soul Pancake is also committed to sharing stories about foster care. All episodes of Season 1 of “The F Word” can be found on [Soul Pancake](. Telling the story of one queer couple adopting from foster care in Oakland, CA, the season traces the narrative from hopeful beginnings to possible endings of the foster care journey. [Season 2]( is now available and continues the story while amplifying other voices in the foster care world, including birth families, foster youth, adoptees, perspectives from people of color, and social entrepreneurs working to make the system better. You can now watch Season 1 & 2 of "The F Word" on SoulPancake. [Watch]( . --------------------------------------------------------------- MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH More than [46 million adults]( in the U.S. experience mental illness every year, but societal, familial, and professional factors continue to make it difficult for people to feel comfortable being open and honest about their experiences. In addition to National Foster Care Awareness Month, May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. In an effort to break down stigmatizing barriers about mental health, [SoulPancake]( a division of Participant Media, has launched “The Beautiful Mind.” This campaign touches on topics such as depression, suicide, and addiction through its four-part digital Soul Series, a mental health–centric newsletter, and a new digital documentary titled It’s Not That Funny. The documentary, premiering in June on the website Funny Or Die as well as the [SoulPancake YouTube channel]( invites a group of comedians—including Sarah Silverman, Wayne Brady, Rachel Bloom, Chris Gethard, and SoulPancake co-founder Rainn Wilson—to share their experiences with mental illness in the comedy industry and in their personal lives. On May 29th, Ron Funches hosted Four Conversations About One Thing, a live event in LA featuring Chris Wood, the co-founder of mental health movement [IDONTMIND](. IDONTMIND is a campaign dedicated to getting people talking about and generating positive messaging about mental health. People discuss what they’re wearing, and IDONTMIND uses clothing to start conversation and help people who are struggling and afraid to speak up. And, 100% of the proceeds go to mental health organizations... to the tune of over $250,000 to date. Get more information [here]( [Why Is It Taboo to Talk About Mental Health?]( "WHY IS IT TABOO TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?" We've been seeing more and more people talking about mental health within the media, but within our own families and communities, mental health still seems to be a taboo topic. Why is there still a stigma around sharing our mental health conditions and the journey we go through everyday? We spoke with people living with mental health conditions about how this stigma affects them. [Watch]( [Mental Health America]( SPOTLIGHT ON #B4STAGE4 [Mental Health America]( has launched #B4Stage4, a prevention campaign dedicated to providing tools + resources for the treatment of mental illness early. When we think about cancer or heart disease, we don’t wait years to treat them. The same can be done for mental health by acting when people first begin to experience symptoms. [More Information]( --------------------------------------------------------------- PREMIERING THIS WEEK! [Apply to spend a year working with the Spotlight Team at the Boston Globe]( [Trailer Alert: When They See Us Trailer]( When They See Us: Official Trailer Based on a true story that gripped the country, When They See Us chronicles the notorious case of five teenagers of color, labeled the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. Their story offers an important glimpse into the failures of our criminal justice system and has inspired us to support the work of the criminal justice reform movement. We're teaming up with organizations including Color of Change, Vera Institute of Justice, Institute for Innovation in Prosecution at John Jay College and The Opportunity Agenda, among others, to further this initiative and increase awareness of how the system has failed the five individuals at the center of When They See Us as well as the thousands of others falsely convicted in the US over just the past three decades. The four-part limited series, directed by Ava DuVernay, will focus on the five teenagers from Harlem -- Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise. Beginning in the spring of 1989, when the teenagers were first questioned about the incident, the series will span 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014. When They See Us premieres May 31, 2019 on Netflix. [Watch Trailer]( --------------------------------------------------------------- GET INVOLVED . [Get Involved in the Life of a Foster Youth]( GET INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF A FOSTER YOUTH There are more than 400,000 children and youth in foster care nationwide. By becoming a foster parent, you have the power to make a difference. Find out how you can make fostering a part of your life. [Get Involved]( . [Get Involved - Mental Health Screening]( TAKE A FREE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. [Take the Test]( . [Win a Trip to Norway]( WIN A TRIP TO NORWAY It's Mental Health Awareness Month + Soul Pancake teamed up with Omaze to raise money for [NAMI]( (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and give YOU the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Norway’s beautiful Lofoten Islands! Flights, hotel, and $1,000 walkin' around cash are all included, plus every donation will benefit NAMI! To enter, visit: [omaze.com/norway]( and donate. Use promo code SOUL50 for 50 bonus entries. [Enter here]( . [Supermajority]( WOMEN OF AMERICA, IT'S TIME TO ORGANIZE! Now is the time to channel the energy and activism of *ALL* women across the country to make transformative change in 2019, 2020, and beyond. We can change the direction of this country if we come together. And Supermajority is helping do just that. Be part of a community that is dedicated to a shared agenda for women’s equity. [Join the Community]( . READ THIS Mental Health [These Are The Most Googled Mental Health Concerns In Every State]( Women's Health [Read]( . [Is Your Job Hazardous To Your Mental Health? Grade How Your Workplace Stacks Up On Mental Wellness]( Forbes [Read]( . . Foster Care [Youth in Foster Care to Get Free Smartphones, Internet Access in Pilot Program]( USA Today [Read]( . Like this email? [Forward to a friend](mailto:?subject=FW: Fostering Kindness for Others and Ourselves&body=I was reading this newsletter from Participant and thought you would enjoy it as well.%0A%0A This May, we bring a spotlight to Mental Health Awareness Month and Foster Care Awareness Month%0ARead more: or share on [Facebook]( or [Twitter](. Feedback? Reply and let us know what you think. [Participant Media]( [Participant Media]( is the leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant's content combines the power of a good story well told with opportunities for real-world impact and awareness around the most pressing global issues of our time. [fb]( [tw]( [tw]( [About Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Unsubscribe]( © 2019 Participant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by: Participant Media 331 Foothill Rd 3rd Floor Los Angeles, CA, 90210, US [Update Profile](