Author: dorsia
Added: Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:40:12 -0800
Duration: 1600

Permanent Hearing Loss is the most common of birth defects affecting three in every one thousand newborns in this country. Since language skills begin at birth, progressing very rapidly during a child's first three years, late detection can be devastating. The results not only can be a significant lag in language skills, but also disruptions in social, emotional, cognitive and academic growth. Fortunately the technology exists to accurately test for hearing impairment within 12 to 48 hours of birth. Early detection and intervention is the key to normal language development in children with Permanent Hearing Loss. This is the goal of the National Center on Hearing Assessment & Management. Through the efforts of this dedicated group of people, both in educating the public and in legislative advocacy, NCHAM has succeeded in securing federal funding and a Congressional mandate that early screening of infants is now the nationwide norm. This is the initial and most crucial step in responding to Permanent Hearing Loss. Meet several families whose lives have been touched by efforts of NCHAM including ABC Daytime TV stars Jim and Kassie DePavia, parents of a child with profound hearing loss.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 14 May 2007 11:58:05 -0800
Duration: 1573

Fraternal Orders were first started in the Middle Ages as groups of craftsmen joined together and pledged to help each other and their families in times of need. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is so named because it was considered strange for common people to go around doing good things for others. Today, the Odd Fellows and their sister organization, Rebekahs, raise millions of dollars every year for a wide range of charities and programs.

Author: dorsia
Added: Sat, 05 May 2007 17:31:13 -0800
Duration: 1605

In most developing countries the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases historically has been extremely difficult to manage simply because the vast majority of healthcare workers in these countries are too inexperienced and poorly equipped to handle this monumental challenge. Enter the International Center For Equal Healthcare Access, an organization that sends highly qualified, extensively trained healthcare professionals directly into countries with evolving HIV epidemics to provide clinical mentoring or coaching to local healthcare workers in the very hospitals and clinics where they serve.

Author: dorsia
Added: Thu, 03 May 2007 13:13:10 -0800
Duration: 1559

Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing minority in the United States and as such, they represent a significant economic force. Yet poverty, prejudice and poor education keep many Latinos from climbing the ladder of success. The National Council of La Raza works with a host of national, state and local agencies to end discrimination and create opportunities for Hispanics to live the American dream. Additional funding for this episode was provided by Western Union.

Author: dorsia
Added: Thu, 03 May 2007 11:13:07 -0800
Duration: 1576

In our increasingly complex American society, the need for various social services has become greater. But economic woes have caused many national, state and local agencies to curtail or even eliminate some services so that those in need may find few ways to restore their lives. Volunteers of America has offices in 40 states and each affiliate offers programs designed to meet the needs of its community. With minimal paid staff, the heart of the organization is the 40,000 volunteers who donate their time and talents to help others.

Author: dorsia
Added: Thu, 03 May 2007 10:43:10 -0800
Duration: 1575

Almost every new parent feels their newborn is the most beautiful and perfect child in the nursery. But what happens if that child does not grow at the same rate as its peers? The Human Growth Foundation is dedicated to providing support for children and adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency and other growth disorders, and to finding funding for the research and treatment of these problems.

Author: dorsia
Added: Thu, 03 May 2007 09:55:17 -0800
Duration: 1553

While the number of family farms in the US is shrinking, agriculture is still the nation’s largest industry, employing more than 22 million people in more than 300 professions. Through hands-on school programs and national competitions, the Future Farmers of America is on a mission to help young people discover their passion and pursue their fields of dreams. Additional funding for this episode was provided by Rabobank International.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 01 May 2007 22:28:05 -0800
Duration: 1598

It can be as simple as a primitive drum beat....or as elaborate as a four-movement symphony…it can be the product of a single instrument…or the harmony of blended voices. Once considered little more than pleasant entertainment music has recently been recognized as having a serious impact on enhancing the quality of life and health for those who are actively exposed to it…from infant to elder. The NAMM Foundation is at the forefront of promoting the benefits of active music-making across the lifespan and is a primary supporter of leading-edge research into the effects that music and music education can have on cognitive development and personal wellness.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 01 May 2007 22:28:05 -0800
Duration: 1611

Since 9/11, the Armed Forces are front-and-center in the American consciousness; and the cry of “Support the Troops” is ever present. The images of tears and desperate hugs as deploying military personnel leave their families for Iraq or other far-away assignments evoke a sense of sadness, but quickly fade amid the hustle-bustle of our daily lives. But what of those who these troops leave behind? Who speaks for the Gold Star widow, and the needs of her family (one of whom you’ll meet in this episode)? Who thinks about the problems of children trying to cope with separation from, or loss of one or both parents? What about military families who must move to new assignments every two or three years? Or the military retiree striving to live on a small pension? These are just a small number of concerns the National Military Family Association addresses on a daily basis. As the recognized “Voice for Military Families,” in times of peace, in times of war, as long as there are soldiers on post anywhere in the world, NMFA provides support and advocacy to the "Other Heros," the loved ones of those who every day stand ready to, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “lay the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:10:01 -0800
Duration: 1585

America’s coastlines are dotted with fragile ecosystems called estuaries—areas where freshwater rivers meet the ocean. Their peaceful waterways and wild lands nurture rare and endangered species and commercially valuable marine life. The Association of National Estuary Programs works to preserve 28 of these unique environments and to protect them from human encroachment.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:43:02 -0800
Duration: 1565

When man first walked on the moon in 1969, the world was rapt with curiosity. But even then, we had no idea of the potential that space exploration holds for the human race. From space tourism to mining asteroids for essential minerals to new sources of electrical power, the possibilities are nearly endless. The National Space Society promotes the social, economic, technical and political agendas for the exploration of space in order to meet the challenges of this final frontier. Additional funding for this episode was provided by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:52:25 -0800
Duration: 1608

Economically, there is no more important body of water in the U.S. than the Gulf of Mexico, not only for the five states that surround it but also for the entire country as a whole. The offshore oil and gas industries are the nationÕs second largest source of tax revenue, provides employment for over 55,000 workers, and fulfills a large portion of our domestic energy needs. In addition, the Gulf has enormous fish and shellfish resources and has become a prime vacation playground for a growing tourism industry. Although plentiful, the GulfÕs resources are finite and without aggressive management will become exhausted over time. Dedicated to conserving the health and productivity of the Gulf, a group of private citizens representing fisheries, industry, tourism, agriculture and environmental conservation, have joined to form the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. Through its ÒDown Under/Out YonderÓ programs of education, public awareness, research and leadership, the Foundation provides the needed guidance, energy and resources to help maintain a sustainable balance in this natural treasure.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 12:43:16 -0800
Duration: 1604

Part II in the Gulf of Mexico series further highlights the problems facing this resource-abundant but environmentally endangered area. Recognizing the urgency to take action, the Harte Research Institute at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, has taken the lead in a coordinated effort among concerned scientists, scholars, corporations and far-flung agencies and governments in gathering resources to identify sustainability problems in the Gulf and develop solutions to those problems.

Author: dorsia
Added: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 18:12:17 -0800
Duration: 1601

Speech, Religion, Association and Expression, as well as the right to Due Process are our most fundamental freedoms, all guaranteed by the Constitution. Yet, on college and university campuses all across the country, who by their very nature attract a cross-section of society reflecting its divergent opinions, ideas and beliefs, and whose exploration of these varying points of view should be key building blocks in the learning process, these basic rights are under attack by administrators seeking to stifle the free-flow of ideas under the guise of political correctness. Defending these freedoms on campus is the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a hands-on organization willing and able to give practical advice and other assistance to students and faculty members who find their liberties and consciences under attack by administrators wielding the fashionable, politically-acceptable and officially-imposed ideologies of the day, from whatever end of the political spectrum those ideologies derive.

Author: dorsia
Added: Thu, 08 Mar 2007 09:38:20 -0800
Duration: 506

Voices of Vision is a television documentary series that profiles locations, institutions and organizations that are changing the world. This inspiring body of work is created by a team of professionals committed to using television as an instrument of service.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:16:58 -0800
Duration: 1605

As our world shrinks smaller and smaller, the impact of diversity increases, as do the challenges and tensions it generates. Diversity is a key element in the various relationships we encounter day in and day out, in virtually every aspect of our lives, work, play, worship and even in our very homes. Since its founding in 1984, the non-profit American Institute for Managing Diversity (AIMD) has had as its core objective to provide the education resources required to maximize the positive results of diversity. The Institute shows businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government groups and others how to work with diversity to reach their goals. It also continues to research and develop the tools necessary to build the bridges of trust, cooperation and mutual respect without regard for boundaries or the entities involved. Meet the dedicated people of AIMD, for whom Diversity Management is a journey, not a destination.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:47:00 -0800
Duration: 1517

The number-one cause of death among teenagers is fatalities resulting from automobile crashes. With some 4 million teens getting their drivers licenses each year and at least half of those involved in traffic-related accidents before they reach the age of 20, something needs to be done about these horrifying statistics. Ford Motor Company Fund and the Governors’ Highway Safety Association have developed the “Driving Skills for Life” program, a comprehensive and unique approach to providing teen drivers with essential skills in 4 critical areas of the driving experience. These skills enhance their abilities to better identify and handle potentially dangerous driving situations, enable them to develop lifesaving overall driving habits at an early age, which will last them a lifetime.

Author: dorsia
Added: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:08:04 -0800
Duration: 1605

Saving and managing your money are the cornerstones of any successful investment plan. Unfortunately, little or no financial education, the absence of discipline and easy access to credit cards often conspire to bury consumers under a mountain of debt, thereby frustrating the investment potential of most Americans. Investment U. has brought together the resources of some of the top financial minds in the world to provide a forum for educating consumers on the disciplines of sound money management and focusing on how to invest rather than what to invest in. Meet these experts and learn what no books, no schools, no brokers will teach and how, with this knowledge, anyone can become an educated, savvy investor.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:20:07 -0800
Duration: 1605

For too long, our society has labeled and punished children who are considered “troublemakers.” They are often ostracized by their communities and by-and-large continue on a path of destructive behavior. Each year thousands of these disenfranchised youth are discarded in the juvenile care system, shuffled from detention centers to residential treatment facilities to foster homes with little hope for a productive future. Enter Starr Commonwealth, the organization which for more than 90 years, committed to the principle that “There is no such thing and a bad child,” has been helping troubled youth recover their futures from the inside out. Meet several of these people who through have been able to go on to lead productive and fulfilling adult lives.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:59:05 -0800
Duration: 1605

There are 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States and in this post 9/11 world, public service has taken on new importance. There is a growing need for staff to run these organizations. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for qualified youth and human services professionals will increase by 40% in the coming year. But where will those leaders of tomorrow get their training? Enter American Humanics. A national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations preparing students for careers in nonprofit management, AH educates and certifies next generation professionals to strengthen and lead non-profit organizations.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:29:10 -0800
Duration: 1587

The Mid-West, Heartland of America, home to the Grain trade in the U.S. and a major source of wheat and wheat products for the entire world. How do these acres and acres of amber waves become the bread and cereals that feed many millions the world over? Come be a part of the process with a visit to the Kansas City Board of Trade, which links different segments of the industry to keep the marketplace flowing smoothly. It may look like something out of the 19th century but this is where 21st century traders make sure the annual wheat supply will provide its products to tables in every corner of the globe.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:23:04 -0800
Duration: 1580

How do immigrants with little or no command of the English language improve their opportunities for better lives? How do they become more proficient at the jobs they have and increase their chances for advancement? The answer of course is education but the demands of daily life often present serious obstacles to overcome. Harvard University’s solution to these problems is it’s Bridge to Learning and Literacy Program, a workplace based education program open to all of the University’s hourly employees as well as to members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers. These workers, many of them immigrants, are provided with paid release time to study English as a Second Language, computer competency and other essential skill sets. This leads to producing better-trained, more highly skilled workers who are able to better support their families, contribute more to their communities and have a better shot at grabbing a piece of the American Dream.

Author: dorsia
Added: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:23:04 -0800
Duration: 1602

There is a growing crisis in America that is driving up health-care costs to the point where services may someday soon be inaccessible to the majority of Americans. That crisis is the increasing difficulty for doctors to secure medical malpractice insurance, forcing many to scale back their services or give up their practices altogether. Fortunately, doctors in many states have taken the matter in there own hands and created their own professional liability companies to provide protection for themselves. The Physician Insurers Association of America is a trade group representing these doctor-run insurance companies, lobbying our legislators and working to create long-range solutions to this burgeoning crisis.

Author: dorsia
Added: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:32:22 -0800
Duration: 1471

Every day, fifty families in America find out that their child has Autism. What’s more, the number of children with Autism attending public schools in the U.S. is increasing at an alarming rate. While scientists search for a cure, the Autism Society of America, the oldest and largest organization serving the Autism community, is reaching out to families, fighting for more programs and services for those living with this brain-based disorder. From a handful of parents with affected children, to a thriving membership of more than fifty thousand in 200 state and local chapters nationwide, the ASA strives to improve the lives of all those who suffer from this debilitating malady which affects the development of social abilities, communication abilities and also results in behaviors that people call repetitive or very intense or unusual in their focus.

Author: dorsia
Added: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:53:27 -0800
Duration: 1604

How often does race, creed, color, nationality create fear, hatred and divisiveness among people? Sadly more frequently than we’d like to admit. But there is one grass-roots organization that is using its beliefs to bring people together, spreading spiritual peace and prosperity throughout North America. The Islamic Circle of North America just might be helping out in your own hometown, putting its philosophies into action by providing women in need with a safe haven, teaching leadership to youth, serving meals to those who would otherwise go hungry and helping ex-offenders make the most of a second chance. Uncertainties are a fact of life in our world but ICNA’s determination to make a positive impact is one of the few things that can be counted upon.

Author: dorsia
Added: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:46:12 -0800
Duration: 1602

While it is true that all doctors are dedicated to saving lives, searching for cures and developing better treatments for disease, there is one group of doctors on a very different mission; to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War believe that many people around the world have been lulled into thinking that the threat of nuclear attack disappeared with the end of the Cold War. Truth is that the threat may be even greater now than ever before, and the impact would be far worse than anything imaginable.