Date: July 23, 2001
Source: Just Within Reach
Submitted by: Jwrfoundation@aol.com
JWR's mission is to provide environmental education and promote personal responsibility and accountability with regard to the health of the Earth. Taking care of our home planet and its resources begins at home! Kevin wants JWR to serve as a resource that empowers people, particularly young people and families, with information and knowledge about environmental issues - information and knowledge that can be put into action at the local level.
We believe that today, more than ever, kids and parents alike are eager to do something substantial and want to use their skills and know-how to make the world better. Kevin feels that too often kids and young adults don't get the respect they deserve or the education they need to empower themselves. Too often young people are overlooked as though they have nothing to contribute to society and its issues. And much too often, kids say there is nothing that they, alone, can do to create positive change for the Earth. They are told time and time again that they are virtually powerless when it comes to improving the world they will one day inherit and oversee. Well, in a nutshell, Kevin and Just Within Reach believe the message that kids are powerless is bogus and wrong! Kids are the answer - kids are the future of everything we see, say and do - and we want to help them and adults take the first bold steps toward a new type of environmentalism.
Somewhere along the line, we lost touch with nature. Somewhere along the way we lost the connection to the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we grow our food in and the raw beauty that Earth shows us every day. In our busy, fast-paced lives with many distractions, it's sometimes difficult to stop and look at the world that surrounds us. But we must take time to experience and reconnect ourselves to nature… so we don't lose it.
Whether you live on a dairy farm or in the middle of a big city, you are always surrounded by nature. Kevin especially encourages fans who share his passion for music to take notice of the music you can find in nature. You can find notes, tones and rhythms in the wind, in water running through a stream, in the creaking of a tall tree, in the sounds made by animals and even your own heartbeat! Next time you go to a park, to the beach, to the country or the mountains, spend some time without your Walkman and just close your eyes and listen to nature. That is one of the best ways to use your love of music to reacquaint yourself with your environment.
Working together and with the proper tools, we will be the driving force behind progressive environmental change… changing unfriendly behaviors into actions and practices that will conserve and preserve. Kevin and JWR believe we can have both progress (business, jobs and profits) while also protecting resources, wildlife, our health and Earth's beauty. But in order to be motivated to solve environmental problems, we must first understand how those problems impact our daily lives. JWR will bring these daily life issues to the forefront and help point you, a JWR ambassador, in the right direction to learn more and inspire you to create a plan of your own.
Unlike some celebrity-founded organizations, Kevin Richardson strongly believes that JWR will be most successful if it is a self-sustaining organization funded not only by the founders' funds, but also by those who share a passion for protecting Earth. With enough financial support, JWR will fund environmental programs that will provide a sense of community and a sense of ownership for those who make donations. For this reason, Kevin himself has donated only a minimal amount of funding to get JWR started and is now asking for your help to build a strong foundation and successful programs.
A native Kentuckian, it is commonly known that Kevin wishes to give back to his own home state and improve the environmental health of Kentucky. At the same time, JWR's mission and programs will serve the nation, and hopefully, the world. The strength and success of Just Within Reach will depend on the activity and commitment of its friends and supporters.
FAQs
"What have Kevin and JWR done so far to help the environment?"
Kevin, with support from the other Backstreet Boys, has incorporated a video into the BSB concerts that shows environmental images (both good and bad) during the performance of "The Answer to Our Life." Kevin hopes the video is causing people to think about the issues and take an interest in reconnecting with nature. Kevin also has invited local Sierra Club chapters to hand out information at a number of Backstreet Boys concerts. Working with the Sierra Club is a great way to promote local issues in different cities and give concertgoers a local contact and organization with which to get involved. Kevin also has supported groups trying to guarantee land preservation and water quality in his home state of Kentucky, has spoken with kids about energy conservation and recycling, and has begun research into the link between hazardous environmental conditions and the incidence of cancer.
"What are some of JWR's future plans and projects?"
There are many projects and events JWR would like to host or sponsor. But just a few of the ideas being considered now are:
Environmental studies scholarships for college students Environmental education hikes, trips and camping excursions Sponsoring kids to attend environmental camps Educating people on the importance of being involved in political processes Clean-up and recycling events throughout the United States An educational video and classroom study guide An environmental television series for kids and their families Water and soil testing in potentially hazardous areas Research into alternative and renewable energy sources Research into the link between the environment and cancer "Where is the JWR Web site?"
It's important to Kevin that the foundation take time to get organized correctly and so we've taken our time in getting a Web site up. We should have the site up and running within the month. You will find us at: www.justwithinreach.org.
"Will there be JWR souvenirs sold at Backstreet Boys concerts?"
There will be JWR merchandise sold at future concerts. After expenses, all proceeds will go directly to support JWR. If you have ideas on merchandise items you'd like to see, please drop us an email and let us know.
"Will there be official JWR events and fundraisers in the future?"
There will be specific volunteer projects, programs and fundraisers in the future. We will announce these opportunities via the Web site and through a number of BSB and Kevin Web sites and email lists.
"What can I do to help right now?"
Get educated about the environmental issues in your own backyard! Starting to clean things up at home may seem simple and cheesy, but it's very important and the more communities that do it, the cleaner our world will be. But that's just the first step. By joining local environmental organizations, you'll get practical experience and ideas for how you can implement bigger plans later. Watch the news and read up on the issues you're interested in and start talking to people who can teach you even more. One of the biggest things you can do to get others involved is START ASKING QUESTIONS! Ask lots and lots of questions. Ask questions to gain knowledge and question when policies and practices don't make good environmental sense. Kevin always says, "I'm just now learning what I can do and I want all of us to learn together." He asks a lot of questions. You should, too!
"What are some of the bigger environmental issues out there today?"
Where do we start??? There are too many to name them all, but here is a starter list (Kids, ask your parents and teachers for help or email us if you're not sure what these terms mean):
Global warming (also called "climate change") Water, air and soil pollution Waste (garbage) reduction and recycling Alternative and renewable energy sources Urban sprawl and land preservation Habitat destruction Protection of endangered species Ocean issues (ocean dumping, whaling, trawler ships, sonar testing and noise pollution that harms marine mammals, beach pollution, sewage and garbage disposal) Resource extraction on public land (coal mining, oil drilling, uranium mining, logging) Effects of hazardous materials on our health Government not holding businesses accountable for their environmental actions "Where Do I learn about environmental issues?"
You can learn a great deal by surfing the Internet. Here are just a few Web sites we visit. These should get you started.
Natural Resources Defense Council www.NRDC.org
The Sierra Club www.SierraClub.org
National Geographic Society (The NGS has always been known for its work in exploration. Now it's moving more toward "preservation" of what they've explored!) www.NGS.org
US Environmental Protection Agency (You can read about the issues in your geographic region. This is one of the ways Kevin learned about the health of Kentucky's environment) www.EPA.gov
American Oceans Campaign www.americanoceans.org
Environmental News Services (Most provide free daily email subscriptions so you can get the latest news)
www.enn.com
www.planetark.org
www.gristmagazine.com
"How can I make a donation to JWR?"
Your help is greatly appreciated and you will receive a receipt for your donation. If you wish to make a contribution, please send check or money order to:
Just Within Reach Foundation
3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., PMB 256
Studio City, CA 91604
We hope this has been helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions. We look forward to your reports on what you've learned and on what you're doing to kickstart the clean up. Thanks again for supporting Kevin and Just Within Reach. We'll be in touch soon!
Vicki Hanna
Programming & Public Relations
JWR Foundation
