Dreamcatchers for Abused Children Attends The State and Fate of Children

(Donna Kshir & Laurie Ann Smith at The State and Fate of Children in Paso Robles, California 2010)

(Elizabeth Brawley, Benford Standley, Sandra Potter, Donna Kshir & Laurie Ann Smith at The Paso Robles Film Festival 2010)

(Donna Kshir & Sandra Potter at The Paso Robles Film Festival 2010)

(Donna Kshir, Sandra Potter, Elizabeth Brawley & Laurie Ann Smith at The Paso Robles Film Festival 2010)

(Donna Kshir, Laurie Ann Smith, Elizabeth Brawley & Sandra Dawn Potter)

For more information or all the latest photos, videos and interviews, Visit: http://www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/ www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/prdffKID.htm

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children Attends The Paso Robles Film Festival

(Elizabeth Brawley, Donna Kshir, Laurie Ann Smith & Sandra Dawn Potter)

(Sandra Potter, Donna Kshir, Elizabeth Brawley & Laurie Ann Smith at The Paso Robles Film Festival)

(Donna Kshir & Laurie Ann Smith at The Paso Robles Film Festival)




For more information or all the latest photos, videos and interviews, Visit: http://www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/ www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/prdffKID.htm

Teen Book 1: Breaking the Silence

Donna Kshir and Sandra Dawn Potter wrote a new book series dedicated to teens and their social issues and struggles.

Book Concept: High school students, Nicole Rogers and Jack Roberts had everything going for them. They were both attractive, popular and straight "A" students, but little did either of them know, in just six short months, they would go from the couple every kid at school looked up to and wanted to be like, to victims of Teen Dating Violence.

Breaking the Silence: One girl's story of surviving teen dating violence.

Seventeen-year-old high school student, Nicole Rogers, had everything going for her, but little did she know in just six short months of meeting the boy of her dreams, she would be a victim of teen dating violence. Nicole hid the violence from her family, but that secret almost cost her, her life.

Purchase your copy @ http://books-4-teens.webs.com/

Teen Book 2: I Was A Teen Abuser

I Was A Teen Abuser: One boy's struggle to gain self-control

Seventeen year old high school senior, Jack Roberts had everything going for him. He was popular, an Honor Society inductee, Homecoming King and Captain of the basketball team, but little did he know, the abuse he witnessed as a child, at the hands of his parents, would dramatically affect the relationship with his girlfriend, Nicole, and he, too, would become an abuser of domestic violence. Share Jack's journey, in his own words, and follow along as he explains how he broke the cycle of abuse.

Get your copy @ http://books-4-teens.webs.com/

Music Review: Mikey J

Summer may officially be over, but that doesn’t mean hip hop is in hibernation.

Last night, I was blessed with the honor of attending a live music event at The New Way Bar in Ferndale, Michigan.

As I watched my friends Mikey J and the crew of Ray Lo Entertainment take center stage, I couldn’t help but think about the last year and how hard they have worked since they became a part of my life.

It’s a blessing to be both a fan and a friend of a music artist. There’s nothing in this world quite like it. The best way for me to describe it is, it feels like an incredible bolt of energy shooting through your veins and you are instantly filled with excitement and pride when you see your friend up on stage, but that energy is magnified by ten times when you see their natural, God given talents and abilities rocking a crowd. Probably because I had seen Mikey J’s talent from the very beginning, and I know just how far his talents can take him.

When Mikey J took the stage, I was nervous. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him perform live in front of a crowd, and I had never seen him perform live with the whole Ray Lo Entertainment crew; Eric Rayner, Mark Rayner and Jason Lollie.


I kept looking at his face from the front row of the crowd. I focused on his eyes trying to gauge in on his true emotions. I saw a bit of nervousness. I even saw a little bit of fear, but in truth, it looked good on him. He appeared eager and hungry, as the young artist I had first met over a year ago. This made me feel good about his performance.

I saw him rock a crowd in fifteen minutes, leaving them intoxicated by his rhythmic, innovative use of instrumentals combined with a dose of pure lyrical genius that allowed on looking fans to understand his dedication, share his enthusiasm for hip hop, while validating his beliefs and expressing himself. In fifteen minutes he made me believe in Michigan and more importantly in hip hop.

He recently told me that an article I wrote about him was one of the best he had ever read about himself. Me an emerging writer and him a future superstar. He has thanked me many times for my work and he has consistently rewarded me with his friendship. And now, as he takes his first step forward to new beginnings, fortune and fame with his hot, new mix tape, “On Deck,“ I walk with him. And from the turnout at last night’s event, I am not alone.

For more on Mikey J, check him out at his Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/mikeyjayay

Does Eminem's new video promote or glamorize domestic violence?

Since the release of Eminem's controversial new single and video "Love the Way You Lie," I have received thousands of emails asking my opinion as an abuse expert.

Does the song promote or glamorize domestic violence?

To be honest, in the beginning as an abuse advocate I had very mixed feelings about the song. Eminem has been known for violence against women, and Rihanna, a young woman who is famously known for the abuse she endured at the hands of Chris Brown.

As the video begins, the young couple, Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan sleep wrapped in each others arms, but within seconds, after she notices a phone number from another woman on his hand, they are violently hitting and shoving each other. As the video continues, the couple are once again affectionate towards each other, kissing passionately, while pressed up against the wall. The same wall Monaghan's character puts his fist through. All along while, Rihanna sings, "That's all right because I like the way it hurts."

Many people are questioning the song. Is it deflecting Eminem's real life relationship with ex-wife Kim Mathers?

In my personal opinion, if the song/video is indeed deflecting the relationship of Marshall and Kim Mathers, I believe through the song Eminem is telling his fans, domestic violence is wrong. If you are in a bad relationship it is better to walk away than to continuously hurt someone you love.

I believe the song is a voice against violence, and the video is insight. The two combined creates awareness and depicts the cycle of a typical abusive relationship. I believe the song/video is extremely potent towards young people since Eminem and Rihanna have both struggled in the past, and because both are very influential towards young people in today's society.

I believe with their pasts, people, especially young people, will hear the song or see the video and get the message, loud and clear. Domestic violence is wrong! You don't hurt the people you love! This song and video is clearly a warning sign for anyone in an abusive relationship!

The images of fire and crumbling into pieces is very symbolic. Anyone who has been in an abusive relationship, over time feels small and slowly, piece by piece crumbles, until they have lost every ounce of power and strength they once possessed, until they feel hopeless (as the characters depicted) and their life is no longer their own.

The song clearly shows personal growth within the real life of Marshall Mathers.

If you or someone you love is being abused SEEK HELP!

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children:

Child abuse is a deadly epidemic. Some people are naive to the words child abuse. Those same people believe abuse only happens in poverty stricken homes and to uneducated people, but the truth is abuse does not discriminate. It happens in the best of homes by both men and women, regardless of race, color or sexual orientation.

It becomes very disappointing day after day to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television and see the dramatic increase in child abuse headlines, but what really disturbs and angers me, as a parent and as a advocate, is not one of these media sources provides a solution to families, victims or survivors. The mere thought of education and awareness to prevent child abuse has never crossed their minds, and if it had, it too, went unspoken.

It's hard to rationalize, but there are 309,198,229 people in the United States and 6,818,849,423 people in the world, and statistics show 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be molested by the age of 18. Currently there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse, every 10 seconds a child is abused in the United States and today, 5 children will die from abuse or neglect.

How can we as a society fail your, my and our children, and continue to empower abusers and pedophiles? How can we allow these monsters to succeed, and rob our children of their childhoods, youths and innocence?

I am pleased to write to you about a wonderful organization I am proud to represent, Dreamcatchers for Abused Children. Dreamcatchers is a 501 (c) 3 Michigan based non-profit child abuse and neglect awareness organization, dedicated to educating the public on the signs, symptoms, statics, intervention, prevention to assist victims and survivors in locating the proper resources to help achieve and enable a full recovery. This amazing organization was founded by best selling child abuse author and expert Sandra Dawn Potter in February 2007.

I strongly believe in this organization and the knowledge it can provide to be in the best interest of men, women and children around the globe.

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children has enjoyed a significant growth within the last two years. Last year, Dreamcatchers provided services and resources to the community reaching over 35,000 members; an outstanding record of achievement. Dreamcatchers staff has doubled in an effort to effectively administer new campaigns, as well as manage the organization's growing responsibilities.

Over the last three years I have worked one on one with abused children and their families. From experience, I know the only way to fight child abuse is to expose the truth and secrets pedophiles use to lure innocent children into their deceitful web. The public needs to know how manipulative and cruel abusers can be, how to fight back, and how to survive. Education and knowledge is power, and the sole key to prevention of child abuse.

Over the last two years our organization has proven the effectiveness of leadership, development and advocacy. Our organization has helped demonstrate that community outreach programs make an impact on victims, survivors and their families.

Dreamcatchers is seeking to expand our successful campaigns to provide educational materials to give families, victims and survivors information about child abuse & neglect, treatment for recovery, coping skills, family and peer support, prevention, communication skills, empowerment, and the power of advocacy.

The need for awareness education cannot be overstated. Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is a national role model, in hopes of building a bright future and a better quality of life by creating advocacy and empowering children.

Sincerely,
Donna Kshir