Non-Profit Soapbox

  Here is what you can earn by creating  a voice for children!

Participants under 21 receive ECM-LI Soul Points and prizes by joining our Street Team and bringing awareness to their community.   

Here is a list of the Awareness Actitivies. Click on the buttons below to find out what you can do!:

Here is a list of the Community Service Actitivies. Click on the buttons below to find out what you can do!:

ECM-LI has created the ECM-LI Patch as a way to bring a visible presence to children’s issues on Long Island. Scouts will receive an ECM-LI Patch by participating in activities that bring awareness to their community. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Click here to find out how to get involved!

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Newsletter

Every Child Matters - Long Island wants the youth to be informed too! Check out our Kids and Teens Take Action Newsletter every month to receive information about youth and family events, ways to advocate, news, and much more!

If you would like to receive our TKA Newsletter, click here to sign up!

ECM-LI: Kids & Teens Take Action Newsletter, Winter 2012 :)

The holidays are just around the corner and we can only be excited to spend that time with the ones we love. While the holidays are a time for joy, togetherness, and fun, we must not forget that it is also a time for giving. Giving back to those in need is one of the most kindest acts someone can give. In this issue you can find out ways that you can give back this holiday season, along with other fun activities.   Poverty during the Holidays   During this holiday season on Long Island there are about 4,000 kids who do not have a place to call home and 1 in every 5 kids don't have proper healthy meals. What better way to help these children who are without then to GIVE BACK! Here are some ways that you can team up with some local organizations in an effort to help bring a miracle to those who do not have this holiday season!   Help Give Back for the Holidays!        1. Help Island Harvest & Shake Shack by lending a helping hand to your neighbors during the Holidays. Donate 2+ canned goods and as a gift you'll receive a cup or cone of frozen custard. (Limit one frozen custard per donation/ guest per visit.) Click here for more information. 2. Long Island Food Not Bombs is back with their rock-out-the-cold-athon and they're looking for toys (all ages, new and used), warm clothing, sleeping bags, pants, shirts, gloves, boots, sweaters, leggings, blankets, hats, socks, and whatever else you can think of. Click here for more for information. 3. Join Toys for Tots and donate a toy or two at one of their area toy drop locations.  Visit ToysForTots.org and select your state and county from the below drop down menu, and you will be redirected to the Toys for Tots website for your local community. 4. Join the Ronald McDonald House Charities in an effort to feed those who are hungry this holiday season. Click here to view the list of some items that the Houses can generally  collect.         5. Help Burlington Coat Factory reach its goal of collecting 1 million coats this winter season. Ask an adult to help you bring your gently worn coats (must have working closures, no rips, and no stains) to the Customer Service Desk at your local Burlington Coat Factory Store. Help someone stay warm for the winter months! Click here to find a store near you.       Events on Long Island Holiday Light Show - Let The Magic Begin! When: Now until December 30th Time:  5pm - 9pm Where: Lakeview Avenue, Bayport, NY 11705                              (L.I.E. Exit 62 South or Sunrise Highway Exit 51 South) Admission: Monday - Thursday, $12 per car                                         Friday - Sunday, $15 per car Website: Holidaylightshow.org Don't miss the Long Island holiday event of the year! The Holiday Light Show, Long Island's largest and brightest is back! Drive through a mile-long wooded trail filled with dazzling light displays. Closed December 24 & 25. After you drive through the Light Show, don't miss out on the fun and merriment at the Holiday Village! Photos with Santa. Explore the Hall of trees. Enjoy hot cocoa, snacks and more!  Drop In Playgroup When: December 27 Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm Contact: 631-669-5445 for info  Admission: FREE 3 Months - 5 Years With Caregiver. Chat, Play, Have Fun And Make New Friends. Advance Registration Is Not Required.     Kid's Free Weekend Crafts When: December 29 Time: 11am - 3pm Where: 61 New Hyde Park Road in Garden City, NY Contact: 516-328-2253   Admission: FREE Bring Your Children To The Cupcake Corner Any Saturday Or Sunday (Except On Holidays) And They Will Love Creating A Fun Little Craft. The Craft Differs Each Weekend And Are Themed Around The Holidays. No Reservations Necessary.  Light up the New Year! When: December 30 Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm Contact: 631-367-3418 or visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org Admission: Free with Paid Admission Family Level Members $4 child RSVP (at least 1 week prior suggested) In the darkest months of the year, learn about the science of lighthouses. Discover how they work, how their lenses reflect light, and see what it;s like being a light-keeper. Assemble your own littler flickering lighthouse! Ages 5-12.                                      Teen Game Night When: Monthly, 1st Fri. - January 4th, 2013 through March 1st Time: 7-8:30 pm Where: Hauppauge Library, 601 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Hauppauge, NY 11788   Admission: Free Teens in grades 6-12 join in for video games, air hockey and snacks. Hauppauge library cardholders get priority registration Website:hauppaugelibrary.org Every Child Matters on Long Island would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays to you and yours. May your Holidays be filled with lots of love and your New Year be Filled with fun and happiness!   Sincerely,   Danielle M. Moore Every Child Matters-LI   In This Issue Poverty during the Holidays Books of the Month   Books of the Month Kids Winter is Here!    by Heidi Pross Gray ----- The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art and Science of Snowflakes by Kenneth Libbrecht     Teens    The Giver    by Lois Lowry       Winter Treats to Eat! Try these yummy treats! Mint Cookie Pops Disguised as a familiar holiday candy, these cookie pops put a fun spin on traditional holiday baking. They're sure to be a hit with family and friends.  Click here for the recipe! Candy Cane Twists  These colorful treats have a clever twist on the classic sugar cookie. They're fun to make and even better to eat.  Click here for the recipe! Chocolate Batons This traditional holiday favorite is sure to turn heads and make mouths water.  Click here for the recipe! Ice Cream Treewiches   You will love decorating these cookies as much as you do the real tree. Once they're made, keep a stash of them in the freezer to satisfy that holiday sweet tooth whenever it hits. Click here for the recipe!   Follow-up Links

Disney Friends for Change Grants - U.S.

Deadline: February 10

Disney Friends for Change Grants offer young change-makers an opportunity to receive a $1,000 grant for youth-led service projects that demonstrate youth leadership, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.  Whatever your interests, a Disney Friends for Change grant can help you make a difference for people, communities, and the planet.
Youth ages 5-18 located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply for a $1,000 grant. www.YSA.org/grants/disney-friends-change-grants

J-Serve Repair the World Education Grants

Deadlines: February 28

Are you involved with a great J-Serve project that is helping to address education challenges (like literacy rates, math deficiency, and mentorship) in your community? Or do you have an awesome project idea in mind? Now's your chance to get your idea off the ground: J-Serve (The International Day of Jewish Youth Service) and Repair the World have teamed up to offer micro-grants for creative, volunteer-focused programs supporting education and child development. The micro-grants will range from $500-$1000 and fund J-Serve projects across the country that help to solve the problem of education inequality. (Preference will be given to programs in New York, Detroit, Baltimore and San Francisco, but all are encouraged to apply.) www.werepair.org

Peace First Prize

Deadline: April 12

The Peace First Prize will recognize impressive young people for meaningful peacemaking work that creates lasting good in a community, neighborhood or school. The Peace First Prize is open to young people between the ages of 8 - 22 and will be awarded to a select group of young leaders who have demonstrated compassion, courage and the power to create collaborative change. Five winners will each receive a $50,000 Peace First Fellowship over two years to further their peacemaking work. www.peacefirst.org/prize/