Statements

Mission

Characters of Character is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing tools and resources to educators and parents to help teach children nine positive character traits. The traits that Characters of Character focuses on are behavior, perseverance, friendship, healthy habits, manners, respect, responsibility, self-esteem, and kindness. We believe that introducing these traits at a younger age will create a better-quality society for everyone. Our organization has developed a unique way to reach children and help them internalize the nine traits that we focus on. Our Characters allow children to identify with the traits correlating with each Character through art, literacy, stories, discussions, live costumes and original character building lessons.

Discovering the need for engaging activities for children in the hospital, we began fundraising and donating to children's hospitals in Tennessee, Texas and Illinois. The appreciation was heartfelt and this soon became our projects, and with Covid, these activity boxes are even more timely. We had a child in the hospital when he was young and wish something like this would have been available for him to do. It's a scary place for a child, especially if you've never been to the hospital.

Joni also began teaching Mommy and Me painting classes, summer school art classes and scheduling visits to local elementary schools, libraries, and communities to empower our children and youth in these messages. When a child has a firm foundation with good character, they will thrive making intentional choices and impacting those around them.

Background

Characters of Character began when Joni, the creator and CEO, was working in a BD/LD classroom of young boys. These boys had serious behavioral issues and were unable to relate to traits like being polite. Joni created the nine Characters, Behavior Bear, Do'er Duck, Friendship Frog, Healthy Hippo, Manners Monkey, Respectful Rabbit, Responsible Rabbit, Self-Esteem Elephant, and Warm-Hearted Walrus, as a way for her students to understand, and internalize, the traits that correspond with each Character. I piloted the characters the following year in an elementary school where they earned a National Promising Practice Award through Washington D.C. Character Education Partnerships. Never looking back, continually learning how to empower communities with the character lessons at Community Events, Scouts, Libraries, Park Districts, Classrooms, Coffee Shops and homes. All the characters are 'live' in costume, we've published over 30 plus books and now have found a great need and huge appreciation when we donate our Superhero Boxes to children in the hospitals. The possibilities are endless with the many visuals and products that we are constantly creating for society.

Impact

Characters of Character has volunteered our Characters and resources at community events such as The Chicago Land Kids Expo, Lisle Eyes To The Skies, and the YMCA Healthy Kids Day. Our main goal for the upcoming year is to open a facilityor share a location/vacant building in the Nashville area. These classes will focus on the nine traits that our organization teaches while incorporating art, social skills, fine motor skills, decision making skills, reading, and writing. This facility will also offer opportunities to the teenagers in the community, providing them with a safe and positive way to spend their time while making a difference in the community. On top of guiding teenagers into being positive mentors to the children of the community, we will also work closely with the local schools and community offices as new projects are created. Character focuses on.

Needs

Characters of Character biggest need at this time is financial stability. In order to begin the process of creating this facility, Characters of Character needs to secure a location to call home base and allow the community to do activities with the characters, older children become mentors, schools utilize the space for workshops with the characters, etc. There are endless possibilities to do and engage community, children, schools, musicians, storytellers and more to become involved and model the Characters of Character. Contests with writing, drawing, painting and such to bring awareness to the characters and again, engageing children to become familiar with each of the characters.

CEO Statement

I became involved with Characters of Character when my mom, Joni, incorporated as a nonprofit organization. At first, I was helping because she was my mom and I wanted to see her dreams come true. While that is still a fact, I no longer volunteer my time for her alone. I continue promoting Characters of Character because I have seen the impact that our Characters have on children. It's an amazing feeling to be able to help a child, whether it is giving them an outlet to express themselves or helping them to deal with a situation properly and being able to see how proud they become for their own decisions. I feel that the biggest obstacle for Characters of Character is our limited funding and resources. Personally, I would love to be able to provide our Characters to schools, facilities, and homes, free to those that need our materials. Our Characters not only provide children with an outlet, but they also build character in children. These character traits are internalized at an early age, allowing children to continue to grow and mature to make better decisions, and giving themselves the confidence to pursue their dreams and goals.

Board Chair Statement

I created the Characters of Character as an art project in an elementary school where we live in Illinois. The staff knew of my creative nature, and when art classes were eliminated I was able to jump in and share my love of creativity with the students. Because supplies were limited, I created two sided characters from one sheet of paper. When I left this school I was next employed in a behavior and learning disorder classroom. This was a group of seven and eight year old boys, a rough group! Again, using my creative side, we began making puppets with the animals and even created a rainforest in our classroom. This is where the names were given. These boys could relate to Manners Monkey or Behavior Bear as their learning tool to understand what the character meant. After this year, I was employed next employed in another public school with grades K-4. After a few years, a new principal and I were having a conversation and she was looking into a character education program. This is where I was able to pilot the characters and where they received a National Promising Practice Award. All of the characters adorned the entire school on bulletin boards throughout, and each morning the kids walked by and touched or looked at them. There was one boy who was special needs and he walked by the board each day. He would stop and say 'good morning' to each of the nine characters. This is how he began his day. This same year, there was a second grade girl who had a favorite character. Do'er Duck whose message was to never give up. For Halloween her mother made her a costume and she was the cutest Do'er Duck I've ever seen! Now in 8th grade, we reconnected and I told her we have all of the characters in costume. This is when we were going to be at The Chicago Land Kids Expo in Chicago and Megan and her mom came out to volunteer for Characters of Character. Megan was in awe of the costumes and was proud to wear Do'er Duck and meet and greet the patrons at the expo. I've seen firsthand the impact that these Characters have on children, and how easily children are able to internalize their meaning and display the character traits. Our biggest obstacle is funding to continue to share our Characters with children across the nation.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Youth Development  - Youth Development-Citizenship
Secondary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Printing, Publishing
Tertiary Category:	Public & Societal Benefit  - Citizen Participation

Areas Served

Currently, we provide our service on a national level. We are looking to secure funding in order to open a facility and offer services in Middle Tennessee.

National