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| Jimmy Wayne's Project / Foster Clubs | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 19 2010, 10:05 AM (22 Views) | |
| mouser | Jun 19 2010, 10:05 AM Post #1 |
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Taylor has lauded the efforts of the Jimmy Wayne Project with tweets to his fans. Here is more information on this endeavor. Jimmy Wayne was born Oct. 23, 1972, in Cleveland County, N.C. With a stable home life, Wayne went back to high school and worked his way through community college, earning an associate’s degree in criminal justice. After working in the North Carolina prison system, Wayne moved to Nashville, practiced guitar until becoming proficient and put his life experience to music. Tracy Byrd cut one of his songs, “Put Your Hand in Mine,” in 1998. His first single, “Stay Gone,” was inspired by his sister Patricia, who was having marital troubles at the time. She told Wayne that everything would be better if her husband would just stay gone. Wayne released his self-titled debut album on DreamWorks Nashville in 2003. His recorded songs like; “You Are”- a song about his wife who’s everything to him, “Paper Angels”- a Christmas song about lost kids and school troubles, and “I Love You This Much” - about a father’s love to his son and the son is the one who loves his dad and the dad thinks he’s hated. Awesome songs. Check ‘em Out. http://www.last.fm/music/Jimmy+Wayne A message from Jimmy about the Foster Care Project Country Star Jimmy Wayne Named National Spokesperson for Young People in Foster Care In celebration of May as National Foster Care Month, FosterClub, the national network for young people in foster care, has named Jimmy Wayne as it’s National Celebrity Spokesperson. "We’re very proud to have Jimmy Wayne represent our organization and the half million young people in foster care," says FosterClub Director Celeste Bodner. "Millions have been touched by his songs, and I know that many more will be inspired by his personal story and commitment to improving life for foster youth." For Wayne, who has topped the charts with singles like "Do You Believe Me Now," Stay Gone," and "I Love You This Much," the opportunity to serve as the national spokesperson for young people in foster care is personally significant. Wayne grew up in foster and speaks from personal experience about the importance of supporting foster youth, particularly those who are forced to make it on their own when they turn 18 years old and support from the foster care system is cut off. While most young people celebrate their 18th birthday, the milestone represents a significant hazard for nearly 30,000 foster youth who will "age out" of foster care and be left to fend for themselves. When young people age out and are cut off from foster care services, they're more likely than their peers to end up in jail, on public assistance or pregnant. They're also less likely to have a job or go to college. A quarter will find themselves homeless. “From my past, I know first hand what young people in foster care are facing. Young people in this country should not be faced with that kind of situation - especially kids who we’ve stepped in to care for when their families couldn’t," Wayne said. "If the bit of celebrity I have can help me raise awareness of this situation --that there are kids and young people out there who need our help, then I feel like I have accomplished my goal.” Fortunately for Wayne, Bea and Russell Costner provided a second chance when they took him in at age 16. "Bea and Russell took a chance on me, and I was certainly no poster child," Wayne said. "I was this teenager with long hair and tattoos, but they saw past that to the scared kid I was. They offered me a place to live and the opportunity to go back to school. In turn, I had to meet them halfway by helping myself, which meant studying, doing chores and following the rules. They provided me with a way to help myself make a life. They gave me a home, love and respect." Researchers say former foster kids who have someone to rely on do better than those who don't. A new study also shows that outcomes improve if young people are allowed to stay in foster care beyond age 18. Right now, only a handful of states extend foster care beyond 18. While several other states are planning to do so in response to a new federal law, state budget problems could put a crimp in those plans. "Turning age 18 doesn’t magically make a person ready for life on their own as adult. Most American young people depend on their parents well into their 20s," says Bodner. "It’s not realistic to expect young people from foster care, who have often experienced significant trauma and instability growing up, to live independently earlier than their peers." When it comes to supporting young people, Wayne walks the walk – literally. Earlier this year, he kicked off his Meet Me Halfway project, and began his walk halfway across the country to raise awareness of homeless children, teens and young adults who age out of the foster care system. “I'm not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved-- donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child/foster parent program in your local community,” says Wayne. “There's so much one person can do, and so many ways they can make a difference,” says Wayne. “It just takes one person to help someone to a better life." http://www.fosterclub.com/news/country-star-jimmy-wayne-named-national-spokesperson-young-people-foster-care As part of his duties as spokesperson for FosterClubs, Mr. Wayne has taken it upon himself to be proactive: In December, Jimmy Wayne announced to the world that he would be embarking on a 1,700-mile trek across America to help raise money and awareness for teen homelessness. While some were lost for words and uncertain of his decision, one man who stood behind Jimmy from the start was the head of his record label, Valory Music CEO Scott Borchetta (pictured above to far left, in a photo taken with the entire Valory team on the first day of Jimmy's mission). Jimmy and Scott's professional relationship started in 2001 when he signed the singer to his start-up label, DreamWorks Nashville. After four years and a successful album which spawned hit singles 'Stay Gone,' 'I Love You This Much' and 'Paper Angels,' DreamWorks folded. When Scott's latest musical adventure began with Valory in 2006, he knew Jimmy was an artist he wanted to continue working with for many years to come. "I tend to be drawn to people who are survivors and fighters and believers," Scott said on the television special 'Faith and Fame.' "That's what Jimmy is." "The day he opened Valory, he told me those are the kind of people he chooses to work with," Jimmy tells The Boot. "I'm thankful that Scott's such a believer in fighters and survivors that he kept me on the label that long, and I had the opportunity to put out a song like 'Do You Believe Me Now.' It was a song that I found and that I believed in. I look forward to finding more of those type of songs that I really believe in and know that are great songs and put together another great record on Valory." When Jimmy launched project Meet Me Halfway on New Year's Day, Scott's loyalty and support went beyond Jimmy's music as he donated a check for $50,000 to the campaign. "That was amazing," Jimmy says. "It's a good feeling to know you're supported by one of the most powerful labels in Nashville and definitely by one of the most powerful CEO's who was just named the No. 1 CEO in Nashville. It's cool to have his support. I can't think of a better way of being a fighter than fighting for what you believe in and walking across America, surviving all the stuff that I've been through." Jimmy is expecting to reach the end of his trek -- HomeBase Youth Services in Phoenix, Ariz. -- toward the end of July or early August. http://www.theboot.com/2010/06/15/jimmy-wayne-meet-me-halfway-arizona/ Nashville, TN June 10, 2010: People Magazine features Jimmy Wayne and his Meet Me Halfway walk in the latest issue, on stands today, and dated June 21. Reporter Danielle Anderson and photographer Chris Baldwin met the artist in the New Mexico desert and spent the day experiencing first hand the grueling, yet inspiring, journey that has Wayne walking through the New Mexico and eventually Arizona heat, with the final destination of Phoenix less than 400 miles away. Wayne's journey began on January 1, during one of the coldest winters on record. Now, he is experiencing temperatures that hover in the high double digits. But according to Wayne, the journey has been well worth it because he is delivering the message concerning the homeless rate amongst children who age out of the Foster Care system. "This experience has been one of the most remarkable of my life," Wayne said. "It hasn't been easy, and took a lot more time than I thought it would, but I wouldn't change a thing — except maybe the temperatures in January, and now! All kidding aside, I have met a lot of great people along the way and I feel I have definitely raised awareness of the issues young people who age out of the Foster Care system face. Without a family or any kind of support group, they often end up homeless. We've got to change that." Since his walk began in January, Jimmy has been getting the word out, not only through his one on one encounters, tweets and ustreams, but also through media. He has been featured in such national publications and sites as People Magazine, Country Weekly, USA Today and Ladies Home Journal, as well as foster care publications including Represent and Fostering Families Today. He was also recently named the National Spokesperson for FosterClub, a national organization for children and young people in foster care. Additionally, Wayne was invited to both Washington DC and Sacramento, CA, where he spoke to policymakers about foster care and foster children. Wayne is expected to complete his walk to Phoenix by the end of July. http://www.projectmmh.org/index.php?page=PressReleases/PRPeople Interview with Jimmy Wayne by Kindness website: Kindness: What has the walk been like so far? Wayne:It was one of the coldest winters ever -- the 11th coldest in history, I believe. Luckily, I've received so much good hospitality along the way. One good Samaritan let me sit in their car to charge my cellphone, and one family even provided me a room in their house. It's such a breath of fresh air to experience how incredibly good people are. You don't get to experience this when you get so caught up in the music business. Kindness: How have you spread the message about your campaign along the way? Wayne: I thought everyone in the country music business would be shocked and excited. And they were. But as they say, today's news is tomorrow's fish wrap. So, the talk hasslowly but surely died down. The best way to keep people engaged has been through the website and they can follow me Twitter. I also USTREAM along the way, which gives you a real sense of what it's like to live on the streets. Kindness: Has anyone joined you on the trek? Wayne: That's the incredible part. Every week, about two to three people show up to walk with me, and one even joined me in their wheelchair. I'm not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved -- donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child or foster parent program in your local community. There's so much one person can do, and so many ways they can make a difference. It just takes one person to help someone to a better life. Kindness: I read that Marmot has provided you with gear for the trip. Have any other companies stepped forward to help out? Wayne: Hiscall, Inc. and its founder and president Gary Luffman have been incredibly supportive of the campaign. They've generously provided a driver and RV where the gear is stored. Red Roof Inn has also stepped up to provide shelter for the driver. Kindness: If someone is interested in supporting your campaign, what do you recommend they do? Wayne: Log onto the site. All the info you'll need is provided there. Also, any help in spreading the word about the project would be incredible. I've chosen HomeBase Youth Services based in Phoenix as the recipient of any donations people care to make because of the work they do with homeless young adults. HOW YOU CAN HELP Support young people in foster care with a donation to FosterClub — Text the word “foster” to 85944 to make a $10 donation to benefit young people in foster care (charged to your cell phone bill). Visit www.fosterclub.org for more information. Follow Jimmy Wayne in his effort — Follow Jimmy as he walks on his Meet Me Halfway campaign and learn more about the issues facing young people in foster care at http://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com Get involved in National Foster Care Month — Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the plight of hundreds of thousands of children and youth in the foster care system. Learn more at www.fostercaremonth.org. About National Foster Care Month Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the plight of hundreds of thousands of children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved – as foster or adoptive parents, volunteers, mentors, employers or in other ways. We call on all Americans to help change the lifetime of a child or youth in foster care. Learn more at www.fostercaremonth.org. About FosterClub FosterClub is the national network for young people currently in, or who have experienced, the foster care system. Every 2 minutes, a child’s life changes as they enter foster care. For more than 513,000 young people living in foster care across the nation, FosterClub is a place to turn for advice, information and hope. FosterClub’s website, publications, events and annual AllStar internship program offer the tools and resources these youth need to connect with one another, to share their experiences and insights, and to achieve personal success. For more information, please visit www.fosterclub.org. |
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11:13 PM Jul 30