One minute ways for couples to help save the world

We are so excited about the story about What You Can Do in The Nest, an online magazine for couples (check out the article on pg. 9).

There are many fun and easy ways couples can help save the world in just a minute - check out the list and videos below and let us know your ideas at www.facebook.com/whatyoucando!

1) Click to Give Whether you're checking up on your fantasy football team or online shopping, check out www.greatergood.com and click to help issues such as hunger, animal welfare and breast cancer prevention.

2) The Giving Season Celebrate the spirit of giving at your holiday party - ask guests to bring canned goods to donate to a local food bank.

3) Turn Off the Tap Hold a contest to see who's better at remembering to shut off the tap while brushing your teeth to conserve water. First one who forgets has to buy a nice bottle of wine or dessert.

4) Online Buzz for Good Along with posting cute pics of your dog and/or kids, use your social media power to raise awareness for a cause that inspires your passion once per month.

5) Look for the Little Green Frog If it's your turn to grocery shop, look for the Rainforest Alliance's "little green frog" symbol on products such as chocolate and coffee to help preserve our rainforests.

6) Shop Local Also at the grocery store or farmers market, choose local produce when possible to reduce your carbon footprint (i.e. the emissions contributing to global warming).

7) Protect the Night To keep your home safer and help protect the darkness of night (which is crucial for the environment and human/animal health), reduce inside lighting and choose shielded or motion sensing exterior fixtures.

8) Ocean Love Download the Seafood Watch app from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to help choose sustainable seafood at your favorite restaurants.

9) Time to Unplug When heading out of town for the weekend, unplug your electronics (make it easier by using power strips) to reduce energy consumption and your power bill.

10) Start a Kindness Chain Get creative with ideas to spread kindness in your community - cook a delicious meal for an elderly neighbor or help a mom with her groceries at the store.

Seeking subjects for interviews with Breast Cancer Survivors

This October, What You Can Do and The Breast Cancer Site are teaming to honor breast cancer survivors.  We are looking for people in the greater New York City area who are willing to talk about their experiences on camera.  The philosophy of What You Can Do is to inspire and offer hope, so we plan on featuring interviews that offer support and guidance for others who are going through the process of recovery and healing. 


If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact Alicia at On the Leesh Productions.  She can be reached at info@ontheleesh.com

And remember to click today and every day at thebreastcancersite.com. 

We look forward to hearing from you!
~The What You Can Do team and everyone at The Breast Cancer Site.  

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What You Can Do  is a series of videos that show people how to help some of the world's most pressing social and environmental issues in only one minute.  
Join the conversation at http://www.Facebook.com/whatyoucando

The Breast Cancer Site was founded to help fund free mammograms for women in need — women for whom early detection would not otherwise be possible. Since its launch in October 2000, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism and in the fight to prevent breast cancer deaths.
Read more click here. 

An Interview with Rupert Scofield (Part 5)

Our final portion of our interview with Rupert Scofield.

Check it out!

An Interview with Rupert Scofield (Part 1)

A little while ago, the team at What You Can Do was honored to have the opportunity to interview the President and CEO of FINCA, Mr. Rupert Scofield. Mr. Scofield has recently published the book, The Social Entrepreneur's Hanbook: How to Start, Build and Run a Business That Improves the World.

He sat down with What You Can Do creator, Jessica Arinella to talk about his experience with FINCA, to explain what microfinancing is exactly and to talk about his new book. This is Part 1 of our 5 part interview. Please check it out!

An Interview with Angelight Films Creator, Stephanie Angel

Recently we were introduced to an organization called Angelight Films. As stated on their website, this nonprofit production company gives chronically and terminally ill children the opportunity to express themselves in their own short film.

We had the chance to interview Angelight Films creator, Stephanie Angel, about her organization, where her inspiration came from and how you can help support this important company.


1. Angelight Films is a great example of a person taking their expertise and passion and using it in a way that can help others. Was combining your two passions - film and advocating for children with brain and spinal tumors - obvious to you, or did something more specific spark the idea?
I had a younger sister who died of a brain tumor when she was five and I was seven. I wanted to do something in her honor. As I met more children who had brain tumors, I kept thinking of how wise, smart and funny these children are. I believe that we have a lot to learn from them, which is why I have combined my passion for helping these children and love for film, to give back in this particular way.

2. What is your end goal for each film that is created? What are you hoping the child and his or her loved ones walk away with?
The end goal is two-fold; first the child has a sense of accomplishment like none other, as their focus shifts from being a victim of a brain tumor to being a creator. This has proved to be an empowering process. Second, the child's family has a film to cherish that truly captures their child's brightness. A further goal is to expand to share our films in hospitals and other outlets where others can be inspired by films made by these children.

3. How much guidance are you providing the children when they make their movies?
The process begins with a kickoff meeting where I go to the child's home and meet the child and his or her family. They usually show me their room and share with me their interests and challenges. I ask them a series of questions to get to know them better and leave them with a sketchbook and some crayons which they use to draw and/or jot down some of their ideas. I meet with them again as many times as it takes to develop their ideas into a filmable format. The films are all about what the child wants to create, and they are engaged in the entire process. Our priority throughout the entire production, from the filming to the editing, is to manifest their vision into a film.

4. What are the reactions of the families when watching their film for the first time?
Lily, our first filmmaker, with her eyes wide open said "I want the whole world to see my movie!" Lily and her family call to tell me that they can't stop watching it. Kyle with his arms reached up in the air said “I am important!” And Colin, who was a King in his movie, invited his Queen and all of his friends over to watch the première. They kept playing it over and over.

5. What has been your most profound moment since creating Angelight Films?
It's hard to choose just one. I think the most profound moments for me are simply the looks on the children's faces when they realize they get to create a movie and it's about whatever they choose. It is priceless to see their proud faces when they are the center of attention for something so positive, and the way that they light up when they watch their finished film.

6. What advice do you have for other people who are motivated to create their own nonprofit, but are completely intimidated by the entire process?
If you are passionate about your cause, be persistent, don't give up, and eventually you will make your vision a reality. Don't be discouraged by the paperwork or the processing time. Use that time period to develop your ideas and reach out to contacts in your field. Also, surround yourself with a supportive Board of Directors who believe in your mission and are willing to go the extra mile.

7. What You Can Do focuses on actionable ideas that people can take in one minute. Is there something a person can do in one minute to help Angelight Films? If they can't donate money, is there another way they can contribute?
Email ten people a request to do the following to see if there are ways they may be able to help out:
View our films on our website http://www.angelightfilms.org/
"Like" us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/AngelightFilms
And follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/search/angelight%20films

An Interview with a director of the Vagina Monologues

A year ago the What You Can Do team went to the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York to film a rehearsal of their upcoming production of The Vagina Monologues. Though schedules didn't permit a visit this year, we were able to interview the current director of the production, Erin Bigelow. This year's production marks their 3rd year performing Eve Ensler's groundbreaking show.

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Can you tell us a little bit about the history of The Vagina Monologues.
Eve Ensler wrote and performed the play "The Vagina Monologues" 17 years ago. The play began as a culmination of interviews with 200 women from all walks of life. The play ran Off Broadway for 5 years and in 1998 V-Day was established with a star-studded performance of The Monologues at Hammerstein Ballroom in NY. The mission of V-Day is to completely end violence against women and girls. Every year there is a new global spotlight campaign for the focus of the funds raised bringing V-Day to 130 countries as of today including countries like Afghanistan, The Congo, Asia, and Egypt. The V-Day movement has raised over $80 million and reached over 300 million people.

Please tell us about your version of The Vagina Monologues?
This year our 'theme' for 4th U's production of The Vagina Monologues is "Make Yourself At Home". The idea of the space is much like a red tent, to be comfortable and inviting as if you were in your own livingroom where you would share your stories with friends. We're also incorporating media throughout the production this year, not to distract but to enhance the message of the monologues.

What is the focus of your production?
This year our Spotlight Campaign is for the women and girls of Haiti. After the January 12th, 2010 earthquake shook the center of the country and destroyed 60% of it's infrastructure, most people were left with less than nothing. Before the quake, 74% of Hatian women were suffereing from rape and abuse. After the earthquake these women were left even more vulnerable to the rise in gang violence, and the V-Day safe haven that had been created by Eve Ensler in 2005 was also gone. 10% of the funds from the productions this year are going to create a safer country for women and girls addressing gender-based-violence in post-earthquake Haiti.

If someone wanted to get involved and help - what can they do?
Anyone can buy tickets to our performances (April 8th and 9th @ 8pm) and/or donate online at: Tickets.
We're always in need of donators! If you own a company or provide a service, we're holding a raffle at our Vagina Fair (starting at 7pm both nights) and are accepting any and all donations for our raffle. We're also accepting all theater crew assistance!
If you're interested in learning more about VDay's history and current efforts in Haiti, I'd encourage you to come to our Haiti Teach-In on Saturday, April 23rd. It will be followed by a benefit classical piano concert offered by Emir Gamsızoğlu.

Anything else you would like us to know?
Fortunately, this year we're expanding our diversity in the cast to the deaf community, as well as the expansion and inclusion of a beautiful array of ethnicities. The entire production will be ASL interpreted.

The 'V' in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina