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From Silence to Sound Trailer

02-25-2010

- Recently awarded BEST INSPIRATIONAL DOCUMENTARY -
New York International Film Festival

FROM SILENCE TO SOUND
Witness the miracle as a deaf man hears for the first time at age 27. Director Chase Matthews offers this moving documentary about Justin Garrett, a completely deaf young man who, in 2006, agreed to undergo radical cochlear implant surgery that could possibly make him hear for the first time. Matthews follows Justin as he prepares for, submits to and recovers from the high-stakes surgery: Success will reverse Justin's condition, but failure will irrevocably destine him to a lifetime of total silence.

This award-winning documentary is NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD.
For more information, go to www.fromsilencetosound.com.

"It is spellbinding to witness Justin's transformation from
frustration and anger to gratefulness and wonder.
It is the ultimate story of beating the odds and
you can't help but cheer at his victory."

-Camryn Manheim, Emmy Award winner & Golden Globe Award winner

Behind the Scenes: We Are the World 25

02-15-2010

Behind the Scenes footage and short interviews with artists who came together to record a new version of "We Are The World 25" to benefit rebuilding efforts in Haiti. More information can be found at www.world25.org.

We Are The World 25 For Haiti

02-13-2010

Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) the new version, in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and Red One; co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin; and project producers John Rubey and Adam Fell to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici. Click Here to find out more about the song, as well as a full list of the more than 80 artists involved. See the full video and song here below.

The We Are The World Foundation is a newly created not-for-profit organization founded by Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie who have invited Wyclef Jean, Paul Haggis, Randy Phillips, Peter Tortorici and Ambassador Luis Moreno of the Inter-American Development Bank to join them on the board. The Foundation is dedicated to raising money and to making grants to charitable organizations with meaningful and efficient relief and development programs that are responding to the continuing crisis in Haiti.

Keep up with their ongoing relief efforts by going to their site, where you can donate, download the song from iTunes and even purchase a We Are The World T-shirt. A team of 15 Haitian film students are charged with following the workof the Foundation. Videos telling the story of where the money goes andwho it helps will be posted here for all to view.

We Are The World 25 For Haiti

02-13-2010

Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) "We Are The World 25 For Haiti", in which Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici.

The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers. The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.

Category: Music

Tags:

We Are The World We Are The World 25 For Haiti WATW Haiti Quincy Jones Lionel Richie Wyclef Jean Download to Donate

Haiti Healthcare Partners Fund Clinic

02-05-2010

"Don't Wait for the World to Change"
From: Chris Harrington, Video Producer and Editor of Zone9Films | January 30, 2010

As you may or may not know I have been involved with helping the Jean Wilfred Albert clinic, a non-profit medical clinic in Haiti. I Produced and cut this video for them for the clinic's fund raising efforts. The clinic is in a remote region of Haiti and fields approximately 300 children office visits per month. The statistics in Haiti are staggering. Eighty percent of people live in poverty, roughly 70% of children are severely malnourished, and the average family makes $1 per day. Many people do not have waterproof shelter or even shoes. One third of the families have seven or more members and yet roughly half of the population sleeps in only one room. It takes an average of four hours per day to procure clean water. And of course many people are ill and dying.

The Jean Wilfred Albert clinic is a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless place. To reach the clinic
mothers often walk up to four hours with sick children in their arms. Through infant nutrition programs, vaccinations, and basic medical care the clinic is truly a lifesaver.

As we approach year end I realize many people contribute to their favorite non-profit. The poorest country in North America is truly a worthy cause. Our U.S. operations are staffed entirely by
volunteers so 100% of your donation goes to Haiti. Haiti Healthcare Partners (HHP) is a 501c3 non-profit corporation so your donations are tax deductible. As a member of HHP, I see first hand the need, the devotion of its members, and the allocation of funds. The correlation between each dollar donated and its life changing effect is truly remarkable.

HHP (Haiti Healthcare Partners) is looking for 30 Angels to fund clinic operations in 2010. And with the recent Earthquake your help is even more urgent. With thirty Angel Donors giving $100 dollars per month the clinic can function at its current level. Please be a beacon of hope for the children of Haiti. If you are not able to donate you may know someone who may be sympathetic to our cause. Of course, any donation would be greatly appreciated.

It is my hope that you will be moved by the conditions in Haiti. If you want additional information regarding HHP please visit the website at: http://www.haitihealthcare.org .

2009 CNN Hero of the Year Winner

01-31-2010

An inspiring message from CNN hero of the year 2009 winner Pinoy Efren Penaflorida of the Dynamic Teen's Company.

About The Group

Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) is a group of concerned young people with a mission of making a small yet significant difference in other peoples lives, particularly the small children in slum areas who have no access to education, basic hygiene and sometimes, even love from their families. The group was founded in August 1997 by four teenagers from Cavite National High School. The initial group made up of around 20 members started as a friendship club which aimed to divert the attention of students from joining violent gangs and notorious fraternities that were thriving on the campus. Their major platform then was to cater youth awareness projects, talent and self development activities, and community services. Today, the group holds different activities to address these issues.

TOUGH BEGINNINGS

In 1999, Efren Kuya Efron Penaflorida Jr. who is living near the city dump site and one of the groups founder, began to reach out to slum kids. This marked the emergence of the Kalingain Batang Mahirap (Care of Impoverished Children), DTCs feeding project for children who scavenge for left-overs and spoiled food from the dump site. The group had a hard time involving older people to the cause and so they trained themselves to be self-sufficient enough to teach the young kids themselves. The group was able to support itself and its projects by showcasing their talents in staged concerts and performances; and by selling old newspapers, bottles, and recycled products. This enabled DTC to train more potential youth leaders and eventually led to a purchase of a pedicab for its literacy and feeding projects.

TODAY

With the training and supervision of Kuya Efron who is now a professional educator, DTC has indeed come a long way. Their mission to teach unschooled, labor-exploited and neglected street children is slowly being realized today. The group also conducts weekly feeding, first aid treatment of scabies and wounds, and values formation activities through their K4 Project (Kariton Klasrum, Klinik at Kantin). Hygiene and first aid skills are supervised by registered midwives and professional nurses who are DTC Alumni.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The fruits of their labor are slowly being reaped as former drug users and petty thieves who were reformed through their projects are now also serving as volunteers. Former scavengers are now in school and are helping to raise funds. Some of the children who remain unschooled are now able to read and write. DTC was able to reach thousands of children through their Mind Your Rights (MY RIGHTS) campaign and through their health-literacy work.

In 2007, they launched the WE ARE THE CHANGE campaign to inspire people to be the catalyst for change in what they want to see in their home, community and the world we live in. For they believe that real change happens when we begin to touch one soul and change one heart at a time.

Jack Canfield's Tips for Success

01-30-2010

by Jack Canfield

TAKE 100% Responsibility for Your Life -- STARTING TODAY!

Do You Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life? This isn't a trick question. Certainly you know the answer: the person who has been responsible for the life you live right now is YOU.

Everything about you is a result of your doing or not doing... Your income. Debt. Relationships. Health. Fitness level. Attitudes and behaviors.
I've often said that you are either creating or allowing everything that is happening in your life.

I think everyone knows this in their hearts, but often times people convince themselves into thinking that external factors are the source of their failure, disappointment, and unhappiness.

External factors do not determine how you live. YOU are in complete control of the quality of your life, by either creating or allowing the circumstances you experience.

When I hear people complain about the state of their life (be it their problems with personal finances, weight, their jobs, or general dissatisfaction), I like to help them see things differently.

If they feel stuck and unable to move forward for whatever reason, I ask them to scrutinize both what is working well and what isnt working well in their life and see how theyve arrived at where they currently are.

For example, if a woman tells me shes unhappy with her weight"she travels frequently, and has no to time to exercise or seek healthy foods"I point out that her weight is not a result of her travels and schedule. Its an outcome of what she chooses to eat and how she chooses to move, regardless of her daily agenda. Why not make a conscious effort to pre-plan healthy meals and snacks, even if it's on the go, and sneak in 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to be physically active (hey, I know some frequent flyers that make it a habit of running through airports!).

If you're frustrated with any area in your life, then its time to take a little inventory.

Certainly there are wonderful things happening, whether it's your job, your romantic relationship, your children, your friends, or your income level. Your accomplishments are just as important as your missteps.

First, congratulate yourself on your successes; and then take a look at what isn't working out so well. What are you doing or not doing to create those experiences?

Watch out! If you find yourself beginning to complain about everything but the choices you've made, then you need to take a step back. See if you can stop blaming outside factors for your unhappiness.

When you realize that you "and only you" create your experiences, you'll realize that you can un-create them and forge new experiences whenever you want.

How empowering is that!

You must take responsibility for your happiness and your unhappiness, your successes and your failures, your good times and your bad times.

All too often we choose to claim the successes and blame the failures on others or other circumstances. When you stop blaming, however, you can take that energy and redirect it to focus on shaping a better situation for yourself. Blaming only ties up your energy. Imagine roping all the energy into a positive effort.

Linkin Park: Haiti PSA

01-29-2010

In partnership with the UN Foundation's Central Emergency Response Fund, Habitat for Humanity and Dave Matthews Band's BAMA WorksHaitian relief effort, Music for Relief is working to provide immediateaid with food, water, and emergency medical supplies, and long-termsustainable housing solutions for the people affected by thiscatastrophic natural disaster. 100% of funds received from DOWNLOAD TO DONATE FOR HAITI will support those affected by the tragic earthquake.

Linkin Park: Download to Donate to Haiti Campaign

01-21-2010

MUSIC FOR RELIEF ANNOUNCES SPECIAL
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF ALBUM DOWNLOADS

Some of the biggest names in music have joined forces for DOWNLOAD TO DONATE FOR HAITI, a star-studded recovery effort to aid the devastated nation of Haiti following the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince on January 12.

Working with Music For Relief, a non-profit founded by Linkin Park following the 2004 Asian tsunamis, Alanis Morissette, The All-American Rejects, Dave Matthews Band, Enrique Iglesias, Hoobastank, Kenna (track co-produced by Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and The Neptune's Chad Hugo), Linkin Park, Lupe Fiasco/Kenna (collaboration produced by Mike Shinoda), Peter Gabriel and Slash have all graciously donated never-before-released music to help raise funds and promote awareness of the recovery efforts. Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One created the project's artwork.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti," said Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington. "We pray that this initiative provides some relief and support to the survivors and hope we inspire our fans, friends and families to make donations as well."

[MF_131] DOWNLOAD TO DONATE FOR HAITI provides fans with the opportunity to download a collection of exclusive songs by their favorite artists and then donate funds on a purely voluntary basis. Each download is a donation. Fans can download the unreleased songs at www.musicforrelief.org and via the websites of each participating artist.

"We're encouraging people to give what they can," says guitar legend Slash. "There's no right or wrong amount. The people of Haiti are in desperate need of food, fresh water, shelter and medical supplies and every little bit helps."

100% of funds received will go directly to the Haiti efforts. In partnership with the UN Foundation's Central Emergency Response Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and Dave Matthew's BAMA Works Haitian relief efforts, Music for Relief is working to support immediate relief with food, water and emergency medical supplies as well as long-term sustainable housing solutions for the people affected by this catastrophic natural disaster. [MF_132]

This is a magic moment in time, when technology, coupled with generosity, talent, and ingenuity has created a unique opportunity to do something positive through the power of music. Join In and Download to Donate NOW!

LISTEN TO THE TRACKS HERE:

About Music for Relief: Founded by two-time Grammy winning/multiplatinum rock band Linkin Park, Music for Relief is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing aid to victims of natural disasters and the prevention of such disasters. Since its inception in 2005, Music for Relief has raised over $3 million for victims of multiple disasters across four continents including the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, wildfires in Southern California & Victoria Australia, China's Wenchuan earthquake, and a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. Music for Relief also supports environmental programs to help in prevention and mitigation of future natural disasters such as the Send Dirt campaign for wetlands protection and restoration and the Million Tree Project in China's Inner Mongolia Desert. MFR has organized a benefit concert featuring multiplatinum artists, sent musicians and volunteers to Southeast Asia and the U.S. Gulf Coast to help rebuild and donate supplies to people in need, and planted over 810,000 trees to help reduce global warming. For more information visit www.musicforrelief.org.

Linkin Park: Download to Donate to Haiti

01-20-2010

MUSIC FOR RELIEF ANNOUNCES SPECIAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF DOWNLOADS

Some of the biggest names in music have joined forces for DOWNLOAD TO DONATE FOR HAITI, a star-studded recovery effort to aid the devastated nation of Haiti following the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince on January 12.

DOWNLOAD TO DONATE FOR HAITI provides fans with the opportunity to download a collection of exclusive songs by their favorite artists and then donate funds on a purely voluntary basis. Each download is a donation. Fans can download the unreleased songs atwww.musicforrelief.org and via the websites of each participating artist.

Artists associated with the campaign will appear on CNN's Larry King Live on Wednesday, January 20 to discuss the project.

This is a magic moment in time, when technology, coupled with generosity, talent, and ingenuity has created a unique opportunity to do something positive throughthe power of music. Join In and Download to Donate NOW!

For more information visit www.musicforrelief.org. You can listen to the tracks here too: