It was a busy week for EndDD.org last week in Massachusetts—4 different presentations, and a filming of a PSA for CBS WBZ Boston.
BAMSI
On Tuesday we spoke with about 200 managers from BAMSI, a non-profit that provides a number of community-based programs throughout Massachusetts. All told there are more than 1700 BAMSI employees helping Massachusetts’ residents through programs for children, youth and families, behavioral health services, addiction and recovery services, services for the elderly and residential assistance. We learned how special an organization BAMSI is through attending an awards ceremony where we saw dedicated employees receiving recognition for what they have done to help those in their communities across Massachusetts.
We also know that our talk made a difference. One of the attendees went home and spoke with her family about the talks asking each of them to commit to safer driving. Her husband was reluctant to give up texting as he thought it indispensable for his work. Later that evening while driving on a dark, unlit road he heard a text come into his phone but decided because of what his wife said not to look at the text and respond. Moments later a drunken woman was in the roadway in the path of his car and he was able to stop just 10′ short of hitting her. When he came home he said, “I know I would have hit and severely hurt or killed her if not for what you said at dinner…”
CBS Boston
Following the BAMSI event we met with Jessica Fauth, a writer/ producer for CBS TV in Boston to film a distracted driving PSA funded by Avidia Bank. Jessica was great, getting to the issues and doing so with compassion. The 30 second PSA will be airing in the Boston area:
Emerson College
Then it was on to Emerson College that evening to speak with a number of college students and also invited high school students. Thanks to Professors Spencer Kimble and Gregory Payne from the School of Cummunication for hosting the event and to their students-college and high school- for an interactive session (Read the article from Emerson College about the presentation).
We learned about an incredible Emerson program for disadvantaged city high school students-the Emerson College/ Bird Street Civic Engagement Project that provides learning opportunities through the college and ultimately admission to Emerson upon high school graduation. Through this collaboration great videos about bullying and violence have been created and we are looking forward to seeing what these talented teens can do when they apply their skills to distracted driving awareness.
To find out more about the Emerson/Bird Street Civic Engagement Project be sure to visit the group’s Facebook page.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
On Wednesday we presented to over 800 students in two sessions at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Norwood, MA.
UTI is a leading national automotive technical school that provides sophisticated and cutting-edge training programs ranging from automotive, diesel, collision, marine and NASCAR with manufacturer specific training, including Mercedes, BMW, Ford, Nissan and Porsche. The tour of the school was impressive and so were the students. They were very engaged and many committed to changing the way they drive on the spot. We know that when they model safe non-distracted driving others will notice because of who they are and their expertise. They will help us change the culture of driving in this country.
The Salits
We also enjoyed the hospitality of the Salits in Seekonk, MA. for a great dinner. The Salit triplets – Mathew, Brian and Tim, have been nationally recognized for their annual Massachusetts Teen Distracted Driving Leadership Summit, a program that has received recognition by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
It was a great trip, great folks and we know that our message was well received.
Joel Feldman
Joel Feldman is the father of the late Casey Feldman and founder of the Casey Feldman Foundation and its sponsored project, EndDD.org. He has been a practicing attorney for 34 years and a shareholder in the law firm of Anapol Weiss in Philadelphia. He received a masters in counseling in 2013 and speaks throughout the U.S. and Canada to teens and adults, changing attitudes and behaviors through the science based, End Distracted Driving program. Joel also provides death notification training to law enforcement and the medical community. Joel can be reached at [email protected]
