Social Media For Social Good

What if you could change the world?

Wouldn't it feel good to recognize that you possess the power to change the daily injustices that occur amongst everyone, no matter where people are geographically? To know that you, a normal citizen of this earth, could share the fact that we are all human and each undergo personal struggles while admitting to our youth that some of us just happen to hide our problems better than others?

24 hours. Everyday. Dedicated to world change.

Through the use of our computers, it is now possible to invest your time and in return, diminish racial stereotypes, encourage and contribute to economic recovery all while reducing the high school dropout rate. This concept is called "social networking for social good."

Believe it or not, your Facebook profile, Twitter account, Youtube subscription and StumbleUpon provide an opportunity to raise awareness, support participants of the social media for social good movement all while spreading messages of progress and solutions instead of spreading statistics of despair. And the students of Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) in Lawndale, CA are living proof that social media for social good can be successful.

According to the 2000 census, "about 14.3% of families and 17.3% of the population in Lawndale were below the poverty line."

However, eleven years later at ECHS opportunity is an option. The mission of Environmental Charter High School is, "to inspire students to discover their own sense of purpose, to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to graduate from college, and to empower them to become quality stewards of their community and world." And the students are getting a little outside help in developing these skills through a program called InTrueFashion.org. 


What Does Social Good  Really Mean?
The definition of social good is: a good or service that benefits the largest number of people in the largest possible way. So, how is InTrueFashion.org making this happen for ECHS? Through the In True Fashion apprenticeship program, students explore their creativity by:

• Participating in workshops with expert mentors.
• Observing the fashion manufacturing process.
• Developing and executing a business plan. 
• Learning how to market their business plan and handbag lines through social media. 

As great as this may be, the students need still the help of influencers (people in the public eye) to educate a larger group of people with regard to their program. And these influencers are people like you and me as well as idols such as American Idol Judge, recording artist and actress Jennifer Lopez.




A community in need that panted a seed
The ECHS students are inspired by Jennifer Lopez and her willingness to succeed from the Bronx, NY all the way to Hollywood. Now, as the students count down the clock to one of the most influential moments of their lives--graduation day--they would like to leave senior year as social good superstars. Much of their legacy is not about them but about the incoming students who will begin high school and contemplate apprenticeship. 

As a graduation gift to the In True Fashion students, you can help. Please, post this blog link on your Facebook. Tweet about the InTrueFashion program. Comment on the Youtube video these students have made for J.Lo

World change is encouraging high school students to follow their dreams, to pursue entrepreneurship. And these initiatives can be promoted with your help. All it takes is 5 minutes of your time.

That's one post, one link, one tweet that can potentially make a world of difference.

What if you could change the world? You certainly can using social media for social good.

Do you volunteer in your community? Have a "social media, social good" story to share? Would you like to keep up with the ECHS students in InTrueFashion.org? Feel free to email info@jaclynmullenmedia.com 

Getting Back Up On The Horse

Balance.

We all strive to obtain it. But what balance means for some may very well differ for another. Think about it. Have you ever observed "those" people who seem to be in the midst of chaos but despite all the swarming activity around them, they're utterly content because they exercise, eat right and still make time for the movies? How could that be possible; how can one "go, go, go" and still maintain serenity?

The truth is that balance comes from within. As my father would say, it is up to YOU; it's your primary responsibility to ensure you take care of yourself with regard to exercise, diet and proper rest.
 
So, how do you know when you are spending your life in direct proportions or spending life in excess? Do you experience a sense of peace and relief when all is in order or undergo a sense of chaos and stress when things aren't? Could you possibly be unaware of the imbalances in your life?

Perhaps......if you ignore the little voice inside your heart. 

I don't think there is a right or a wrong answer and yet I do think as human beings, we can all relate to feelings of imbalance and the resulting havoc they can wreck on our day to day activities. Whether you are a new business owner, in a new relationship or possibly exploring a new career, feeling grounded (which results from being balanced) is quite essential.

Balance for me requires (1) blogging (2) running and (3) resting. That's a lot of ----ings, right? One of the questions I often hear from friends, clients and business associates alike is, "how do I make time for it all? How do I have a social life, market my business, maintain my clients and manage to sleep?"

I wish I had the magic answer. All I can say is it happens to the best of us. I am finally getting back up on the blogging horse after a nearly three weak hiatus due to an imbalance of life. My first steps forward into a more balanced state involved forgiveness.

It is very common for us to get frustrated with ourselves when our life feels disproportionate. Personally, I needed to forgive myself for stepping away from my computer and for shifting my focus. I needed to immerse myself back into a "live" learning environment to get the dendrites in my brain actively flowing again. I needed to walk (50 New York City blocks) to move stagnant energy and tension out of my body. All of these things required an energy shift from sitting behind a computer to getting out and experiencing more spontaneity in life and less routine.

So let's get some dialog going. What do you do when you start to feel frazzled?
How have you managed transitions in career, relationships or geography? What are your top three tips for getting back up on the horse and riding off into the sunset of harmonious life bliss?

I want to know and I'm sure others do as well so please be sure to comment.

I will be back to blogging this month. You can also keep current with my social media and brand consulting work through the new Jaclyn Mullen Media Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jaclynmullenmedia

In closing, I want to thank you for your patience while I have not been blogging. I want to thank you for your continued support and encouragement of this blog. And if there is a topic you would like for me to address, I'd be more than happy to write about it! Simply email me at info@jaclynmullenmedia.com

Signing off this successful Sunday,

The Jaclyn of All Trades

Jaclyn Mullen has spent the past ten years immersed in consumer behavior, online media, and business development for several companies. As a graduate of the University of Miami, Jaclyn first developed her online expertise while studying the emergence of digital downloads on the music industry. She is dedicated to developing branding strategies and social media plans that ensure her clients and work stand out within their respective marketplace and generate consumer loyalty. She was recently recognized as a finalist of American Airlines 30th Anniversary campaign.