I commend you and all involved in such an important mission. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom who is very active in my community, I was a journalist for 12 years. Throughout much of my career I covered both the education beat and crime and public safety for daily newspapers such as the Oregonian, Seattle Times and various San Francisco Bay Area papers. I remember opening the top drawer of my desk at work one day only to realize I had accumulated too many photos of murdered or missing children. I have interviewed many families who have suffered from this loss and do not wish it upon anyone. I have to admit my experiences made me quite paranoid about the concerns regarding child abduction, rape, torture and all other unfathomable things people might do to any child. Although honestly, because of my experiences I truly believe folks can never be too careful these days. That is why this project hits close to my heart. Again my sincerest congratulations and gratitude to everyone who conceived, participated and are still involved with your Just Yell Fire project.
Comments
Thank you for my DVD. I have received it and I LOVE IT. It came just before Christmas. Great Job girls!!! I want to use this as a training video for my daughters and their friends. It covers a lot of different areas of concern and being a part of the Law Enforcement/ Security community for the last 20 years I agree totally.
I will gladly vote for Dallas to win the grant from Volvo. I learned about JYF from a segment on CNN. I intend to share it with my 12-year old daughter, because I am NOT one of those people who thinks it "could never happen to my child..." - I know it can happen to anyone, anywhere, and I want her to feel empowered to protect herself. Just the confidence she will receive from this DVD could make all the difference.
I want you to know that I don't often donate money, but maybe my contribution will allow just one extra young woman to see your DVD, and you never know what a difference it could make. Keep up the inspiring work.
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and New Year
I was just watching Monte Williams' show and I saw you guys there talking about the video that would help millions and millions girls out there. I've always wanted to help kids who have cancer. That show inspired me to make a difference in someone's life. You guys did a good job. GOOD JOB!!!!
I am wrapping up the semester and showed your story again. I talk to my students about finding a voice, being empowered etc. My goal is to get them to realized the power they have through the tools we learn in my class.
Anyway, after we got done talking about you and others who have found a voice, I let them log onto your website and encouraged to look at "Just Yell Fire", we had already talked about the video's origins and message. At the end of class a very quiet 8th grader who never really speaks out much came up to my desk.
"Do you know how fast they can send the video? I am going to be moving soon."
Maybe that doesn't have the impact for you that it had on me. I have no idea what her personal story is, but the really timid girl making such an inquiry made me wonder.
I don't know how long videos take to ship. But I happily gave her mine. She was stunned and looked at it and then me with a wide eye, then said thanks and walked back to her seat still looking at it.
It was a nice moment, just wanted to share.
Thanks for who you are and what you stand for.
I'm a retired Police Officer and know full well the unfortunate dangers that are out there in our society today. Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this video together, you are a credit to your generation.
Girl thank you so much for helping these young women, they need someone like you to teach them how to be strong and how to protect themselves. I'm 20, and from Alabama. I just saw you on the Headline News and I'm so thankful that you have taken this into your own hands and are so loving and helpful. And thank you for making the dvd's free. That's a wonderful thing that you do.
My name is Jessy, I'm a mother of three, 13, 7, and 4 and I am so glad you made a movie that shows them just how to protect themselves when I can't. I have taken this DVD to the school board in my area and your video will now be a key to saving kids for the next at least four years in classrooms in the Dallas area. you have truly made a difference in the world!! Be proud! All of those who made this possible!
I was very impressed with what I saw on the Good Morning America show back in March on this project. The people who brought this video together should be very proud of themselves. It is an important topic and one that ever young person should know about.
I used to be a Juvenile probation officer, working with girl offenders. I've tried to tell the girls not to put themselves in dangerous situations, but a few haven't been so lucky and I've sat through a few rape exams with them. Over the years, I've told the girls that if they can't get away, leave their DNA behind - a finger nail, hair etc. I think this video will be a great new tool that we will use in our girls' circle group. Now, I'm working with foster kids and hope to share this with some of the older teens on my caseload. Good luck in all your endeavors and I'll share the information on the link with my co-workers.