THIS IS ENTIRELY A VOLUNTEER BASED ORGANIZATION who's only objective is to help our most valuable resource- our children to become their best version. With this site and through our many efforts we hope to provide vital information and raise awareness of the many issues kids face every day. In doing so, we will undoubtedly empower both children and society alike in ways that will evoke safer, and happier children.
-our hands are only open to give......
If you take away just one thing, I'd like it to be this one thing that has taken me years to learn. Abuse can be situational and not life altering provided basic understanding and simple knowledge. Abuse is a problem of the abuser and the abuser alone.
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT/FOUNDER:
Being a survivor of abuse, I understand the profound impact abuse can have on one's life, and bare witness how gravely it affects everyone involved. While so many children become "derailed" by such an experience, there are others who take it upon themselves to not allow for victimization. I am that individual. Through the years, I've taken bad situations- learned from them and have grown in the process- sharing all I've learned with the hopes of preventing others from experiencing the many pains associated.
They say the measure of a man is not made by one's experiences but by the level of integrity to which all things are faced. That being said, abuse does not have to define us. Abuse can, in fact, be situational and not life altering if essential and basic information is provided and understood.
As a young boy, I found resolve playing some "Risky Business" and fell in love on a "Blue Lagoon." To survive, I created a world where I was safe, and made a real friend in my escape. It first began with a heartfelt letter from a troubled youth expressing his deepest secrets that were unable to be shared with anyone known. Looking back, I feel a bit foolish.. but to a 12 year old boy this was my dream girl and she would not judge...and if I loved the most beautiful girl in the world- somehow I then would be ok! I wrote- pouring out my heart when something unexpected happened- I had a pen pal. To my amazement, the letters I had sent were answered. The responses were of warm notes of encouragement and photographs signed from Brooke Shields herself- that magical girl on that "Blue Lagoon," became my new "friend." Reality really wasn't an affliction. I realized I was considered just a fan, but the notes became more personal and if the unexpected had happened warranting responses what then took place was not only unexpected but deeply appreciated. Soon after the notes started to arrive, we then received a phone call opening an ongoing dialogue for some time. The voice on the other line was Mrs. Shields- Brooke's mother Teri who then became a friend of the family offering her support while addressing her concern of a boy in trouble. I had shared my torment and gained compassion in the process- compassion that led to what you see before you- KathyRinaldiHope. Brooke and her mother, Terri cared for the well being of a total stranger and in doing so created a dialogue between myself and my parents- a dialogue that saved my life. I then began to heal as feelings of worth returned. At the end of the day, we are all just people. But, to a kid a celebrity goes beyond the actual individual and affords a child to dream. And sometimes that's all we get! My dream became a reality making all things possible.
A celebrity can save the life of a child and I have Brooke Shields and her mother Teri to thank for mine.
Throughout the years, Mrs. Shields, Brooke, and I kept in touch- I still know the home number by heart- 201.628.98XX... Dinner at Nishi, Broadway, and most recent friendly banter with Brooke's husband Chris. And one day, not to long ago a mutual friend of the Shields' and I shared with me an even more touching story. I was told that the problems I faced in my youth that forged a connection was more than a friendly gesture of a girl, her mom and a fan. Mrs. Shields' actually sought advice and then shared her knowledge with my folks. Insightful knowledge that my folks still speak of.
Sometimes all it takes is kindness.
We continue wishing Mrs. Shields, Brooke, and her family our best. It's no secret that Mrs. Shields has become ill, and I'm afraid her "stage mother" criticism is what most will remember. I'd publicly like to say, Mrs. Shields was so much more! Not only did she give us Brooke, but in a way she also gave me to you. Had it not been for her, I never would have had HOPE.
KathyRinaldiHope ® was conceived through the power of celebrity, and the influence they have on our kids with their ability to heal the world. We talk about issues that promote a sense of understanding and firmly believe that the more a child knows the better a child will do. Given basic information providing essential knowledge, a child will undoubtedly be more secure and better equipped to handle situations that otherwise may "derail" them.
*****We cannot end abuse but we can however significantly decrease its profound effect. Issues that could have become problematic can be situational rather than life altering giving basic knowledge creating essential understanding- KathyRinaldiHope.
If a child understands, they then will not internalize, when you eliminate the internalization- most importantly, you eliminate victimization.
ISSUE + KNOWLEDGE = SAFE HAPPY CHILDREN
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