Dreamdog Foundation


History	Challenge	Goals and Actions	Our Mission	The Founder, Rainey

History:

The DreamDog Foundation was founded in 2000 by Lorraine Lee Friedman (aka Rainey), a leading author, attorney and child advocate. The DreamDog Foundation targets an evolving mosaic of personal children’s issues such as: overcoming and letting go of our fears, adapting to new environments, people and situations, cultural adaptation, chronic medical conditions, jealousy, relationship issues, disabilities and other issues addressed in children’s picture books, videos and songs created by Rainey. Simultaneously, the Foundation supports organizations that work on issues such as children’s literacy, homelessness, mentoring, volunteerism, and environmental and cultural awareness.

Challenge:

The problem with homelessness is not just the fact that people are living in shelters, children living without homes of their own. The problem is not just that housing costs are so astronomical that a single parent is not likely to be able to afford a home. The problem is not just that children who are homeless face innumerable barriers to their education; including problems with enrollment and record transfers, transportation, immunizations, residency requirements, increased number of absences due to lack of appropriate healthcare, and stigmatization due to lack of clothing and school supplies. These and so many other problems faced by homeless children and these are all compounded by the fact that we don’t think that we can make a difference. But, we can!

We are all to blame that at this time of our country’s greatest prosperity, there are so many children who are struggling, who have to wonder where they will sleep, if they will have dinner that night, if the other children at school will make fun of the holes in their clothes and shoes. That’s where the DreamDog Foundation gets involved…we help empower children (and their parents) to understand that they can not only make a difference in their lives, but also in their world.

Goals and Actions:

Our goals include creating and distributing innovative multi-media educational material that builds self-esteem and improves their problem solving skills, while helping their parents learn better parenting skills. All print and multimedia educational materials that we produce support child empowerment theory, enhancing children’s ability to solve their own problems and to realize that the real magic lies within us all. This is achieved through support for the:

· research and evaluation of existing multi-media educational resources on the topics of problem-solving and self-esteem building in young children available in the home or classroom;

· design and production of various kinds of educational materials ranging from picture books, print Braille books and reading books to curriculum guides, audio programs, and video/television programming;

· development and production of new educational media forms including Web, Internet technology, online gaming, interactive toys and other evolving media forms;

· distribution of no or very low cost children’s education materials designed to empower children and developed for various programs that work with disadvantaged children including: shelters for homeless children, head start programs, schools, pre-schools and other facilities serving disadvantaged children;

· provision of the educational materials to families to give them the tools that they need to create more meaningful family relationships.

Through direct contact with children who are disenfranchised from the educational system, we would provide materials and much-needed attention -- thus engendering hope, empowerment and self-esteem -- to children who need it the most.

The key benefits of the DreamDog Foundation activities and functions in this area will be:

· increased distribution of programming and materials that enhance children’s belief in themselves, their uniqueness and their abilities, literacy and sensitivity for multi-cultural and racial differences, understanding of disabilities and other differences between all people

· delivery of no-cost donated innovative educational materials that help stimulate children’s creativity, innovation, esteem building, productivity and problem solving

· better understanding and communication between family members, stronger relationships and more loving bonds between parents and children in disadvantaged families.

The DreamDog Foundation also sponsors special educational workshops and events for children and their parents which support:

· parents in bringing more love and togetherness to the family as they seek to cope with the stress of raising children in an increasingly complex and media-driven world;

· enhanced awareness of and additional resources to address multi-cultural/ethnic diversity issues, homelessness and disadvantaged conditions of children and adults in the community;

· creative, effective and loving approaches to the healthy resolution of common childhood issues and concerns – night-time fears, sibling rivalry, jealously, illness, death, wellness, discrimination because you are different (support for understanding and embracing cultural differences), disabilities, bullies, poor parenting skills, lack of attention to our children, etc.;

· calls to action, both to provide immediate relief for these issues and to advance long-term resolution of underlying causes.

Mission:

Our slogan, “The Magic is in You” TM – is teaching children that they can become anything they desire with the love and support of their parents, family and community. Stimulating and nurturing an open and loving dialogue between children and parents achieves this, so children will believe that “The Magic is in Me!” TM It’s our responsibility to fuel their imagination through education and self-empowerment. When you believe in yourself, you believe in all of life’s possibilities. Doesn’t every child deserve that opportunity? The Foundation establishes partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations that raise the bar on activism and education for all children.

Child empowerment statement:
I (name of child) am a special human being.
I am unique – there is no one else like me in the whole world.
I am happy with who I am and who I’m becoming.
I have fun with my life and love to share my laughter and joy.
I am loveable, loving and know that I am loved.
I tell the truth and am trustworthy.
I am courageous, strong, and confident of my abilities.
I am the best “Me” that I can be.
I am smart and creative.
I use my brain and my imagination to help myself and my world.
I know that there are things that only I can offer this world.
I will discover what they are and share my special gifts with everyone.
I know all this because “The Magic is in Me!” TM

The Founder, Rainey:

The Founder, Rainey: (aka Lorraine Friedman, JD) is an author, children’s rights attorney, award winning songwriter/producer and storyteller who empowers children to overcome personal and social problems through self–esteem building, imagination and love. As a popular T.V. and radio guest and speaker, she inspires parents and children to grow together. Drawing on her experience as an advocate for homeless and disabled children and their parents, Rainey created Jazz the DreamDog® and the DreamDog Kids to help children discover the superhero inside and believe that the real magic to solve problems lies within oneself. Rainey recently created The Adventures of CiCi & Ace, an unique multi-sensory product combining a storybook, music CD, Web fun & games that is distributed exclusively by The Children’s Place in more than 700 stores in the United States and Canada. With more than 125,000 books in print the CiCi & Ace titles include Ferris Wheel Fun – A Magic Ride, School is Cool! and The Greatest Gift. All three CiCi & Ace adventure books are iParenting Media Award Winners.

Rainey is the author of "Monsters in Your Bed…Monsters in Your Head" and the songwriter/composer/producer/performer in the award winning "I Believe in Me" music CD of original Sing Along Songs. She has also authored "Jerome’s Jam" and created its companion music CD "More Love,": an iParenting Media Award Winner for music audio. To enhance the DreamDog experience, Rainey has created original songs to expand on the values and fun of each picture book. And, to ensure that all children can experience the DreamDog magic, all her books are produced in print Braille for visually impaired children and their parents. Rainey’s upcoming book and CD Shine – A Prayer for Children Everywhere will inspire young and old through words, beautiful images and music. In addition, her publisher has agreed that a portion of all profits from the books will be donated to organizations that support children in need.

Rainey sees the stories of Jazz the DreamDog® and the DreamDog Kids as a chance to continue her life's work of helping children to learn, achieve and become the “best” they can be. She is inspired by Jazz, a once homeless golden retriever and dachshund mix, who always helps a difficult situation with a loving look, knowing nuzzle and welcoming wag. Rainey is currently raising two children, working on more DreamDog picture books and planning her first live action and animated music video -- “Jazz the DreamDog®: I Believe in Me!”

After graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, Rainey started her life-long commitment of advocacy for children with The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. There, she represented the educational rights of homeless children, lobbying Congress and litigating. Recruited as the Director of Protection and Advocacy for People with Developmental Disabilities, Rainey switched from the national scene to local issues, handling a caseload of up to fifty children with special needs. Within her legal career, she became their chief litigator representing children with disabilities in dozens of federal court cases and hundreds of administrative due process hearings, helping them fight for and obtain needed educational and social services. Rainey first discovered Jazz’s magically powers when she inspired an autistic child to speak his first words. This led Rainey to embark on her quest to have Jazz the DreamDog inspire millions of children and parents to find their own magic spark within themselves. Rainey and her husband, Douglas, and two young sons, Jared and Cameron, live with Jazz the DreamDog® in Alexandria, Virginia.