A Safety Story Bouquet
To Celebrate Irene’s 75th Birthday
A Safety Story Bouquet
To Celebrate Irene’s 75th Birthday
Irene van der Zande, Kidpower’s Executive Director and Founder, shares her 3 wishes for her 75th birthday. To support our work in her honor, visit kidpower.org/donate.
To celebrate Irene’s birthday, we’re giving her a digital ‘bouquet’ of short safety stories! This is because Irene LOVES stories!
Join the Celebration! Share your story with a short video, photo, drawing or in writing.
For example:
- How you or someone you know uses a Kidpower skill
- How Kidpower skills make a difference in your life or relationships
- How a safety problem was solved or prevented with Kidpower skills
One of Irene’s favorite sayings is, “You don’t have to be perfect to be GREAT!” With this in mind, please take a few minutes to share a story that is heartfelt, authentic, and informal, not fancy!
Let’s send 75 or more stories by April 27th!
You can email your “gift” for Irene’s Story Bouquet to 75@kidpower.org. Please include a brief blurb about you such as how you know Kidpower and Irene.
And, of course, feel free to post your video, photo, drawing, or written story in social media.
Please use the hashtag #irene75.
We will share what you send us on this page below and in other places.
You can take a look below to see what others have shared.
And, in the spirit of Kidpower, HAVE FUN!
Irene has dedicated her life to helping everyone, everywhere be SAFE! You can make a gift in her honor by visiting kidpower.org/donate.
Eli Rainhart
Eli joined Kidpower 4 years ago and is currently the Kidpower Virginia Director and a workshop coordinator for Kidpower International. She uses her Kidpower skills every day and loves sharing them with others!
Shusma Pokhrel
Shusma is the Nepal Director for Kidpower International. She is an expert in Child Protection and Advocacy for more than 20 years. In her work with children at risk, along with their caring adults and partnering NGOs, she loves how just a few Kidpower skills can make a powerful impact in their lives.
Sean Kosofsky
“One of my favorite safety tips is about emotional safety and how to get out of emotionally stressful situations by simply changing the subject. I love this and have used it multiple times. Thank you for this wisdom”
Amy Dahlen
Kidpower skills can help us take charge of not only our physical safety but also our emotional safety!
April Yee
April is the Kidpower Board President. She is a former Kidpower instructor and a long-time donor who advocates for funding for Kidpower. April tackles whatever she undertakes with great good cheer and competence and has furthered the work of the Board in many ways.
Zoe Gladstone
I met Irene 11 years ago when I started teaching Kidpower. Teaching Kidpower has been my favorite job ever! I am taking a break from it at the moment, but it continues to have a profound effect on my life and my family, and we still actively use our Kidpower skills.
Ellen Frankel
Ellen has been part of Kidpower in many capacities over the past 12 years. She feels so grateful to have raised her kids with Kidpower skills so they can be confident, joyful young adults!
Marylaine Léger
Marylaine met Irene in 1996 when she trained as a Kidpower instructor and started a Center in Quebec. She has had the immense joy of being friends with Irene as well as working with her for all those years! Marylaine is also Kidpower’s International Programs Director.
Maryse Postlewaite
Maryse first learned Kidpower skills decades ago as a Montessori teacher – and has been using and teaching them every day since then!
Shusma Pokhrel
Shusma is the Nepal Director for Kidpower International. She is an expert in Child Protection and Advocacy for more than 20 years. In her work with children at risk, along with their caring adults and partnering NGOs, she loves how just a few Kidpower skills can make a powerful impact in their lives.
Ruben Nieves - and Toby & Rolo!
Ruben first learned about Kidpower 13 years ago – and Awareness Power is still his favorite skill!
Erika Leonard
Erika Leonard first met Irene in 1994 – and has enjoyed being good friends and Kidpower colleagues ever since! Erika is currently Kidpower’s Community Education Director.