State Farm

Teens Say I Care

Our new I Care materials, created by teens, for teens and parents

Take a look. Then download for free. Voila — our new I Care book and brochure. The photo shows the results of months of hard work with Humanity Project teenagers, who helped us create all new materials for their peers. And for parents too. Brief, portable but with lots of lifesaving information presented in an appealing way that is quickly read but long remembered.

With great thanks to our partners at State Farm, we now offer the book and brochure for free. And as mentioned, you can download the book right now at no cost by using our new QR code:

Our new I Care QR code for free book downloads

I Care is an innovative Humanity Project program that began in 2012 with generous State Farm funding … and continues with ongoing support from this public-spirited company. We’re proud to make available these new I Care offerings. If a driver of any age follows the advice in the book or brochure, their chances of coming home safely are likely to increase. Both the book and brochure give solid, real-world tested tips that are simple and effective. Check out the book for yourself and see what we mean.

It’s all part of the Humanity Project’s daily push for a more respectful world. In this case, we call it respect on the roads. Because when is respect among people more urgent than when we’re on the highway? We hope you’ll download the book, read it … and share it, please. What better way to show someone that you care?

Our Very Good Neighbor

There is no simpler or more sincere way to say it… again: Thank you, State Farm. This community-minded organization is now more than 100 years old. For 17 of those years, State Farm has provided vital financial support for the Humanity Project. Recently we received a new major grant that allows us to do important work in 2024. As we always say to our friends at State Farm, “We can’t do it without you.” Those friends include the wonderful Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst, who always is there in many ways to help the community.

This year State Farm funding allows us to tackle a huge overhaul of our I Care program, which teaches critical lessons to teens and parents about “respect on the roads.” Because, really, when is respect for ourselves and others more immediately essential than when we’re driving? Since 2012, I Care has been reaching thousands of families with this core message, taught through teen-created books, websites, live workshops and more. A team of teenagers has just completed work on an updated, modernized version of our I Care books — and we expect to make everything available to the public for free in the coming days.

The evidence is clear, demonstrating that teens can improve the driving habits of their peers. Parents also greatly influence the driving of their teenage motorists, research shows. I Care seizes on this evidence in order to enlist both teens and parents in the battle against distracted driving. These collaborations include an innovative free website for parents of teen drivers: www.thp4parents.com ("The Humanity Project 4 Parents").

State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the 2023 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, visit http://www.statefarm.com.

So once more, we feel proud to be associated with this fine company. And yes, the Humanity Project can think of no better way to express our gratitude than to say, simply and sincerely … thank you, State Farm.

State Farm Saves Lives

The Humanity Project's acclaimed "I Care" program has helped teen drivers, and parents of teen drivers, avoid car crashes for more than a decade. Now a major new State Farm grant will allow teens working under Humanity Project guidance to create a new up-to-date book on safe driving... and to offer the book free online to anyone who is interested in its important lessons. The hard copy book also will be available to schools, courts, State Farm agents and others who request it. Evidence proves parents greatly influence the driving of their teenage motorists ...if those adults understand how to help. Teens also can improve the driving habits of their peers, research shows. "I Care!" seizes on this evidence in order to enlist both teens and parents in the battle against distracted driving. The program is funded by a generous grant from State Farm, which helped create the Humanity Project "I Care" driver safety program in 2012 -- and has funded this program each year since. These collaborations include an innovative free website for parents of teen drivers: www.thp4parents.com ("The Humanity Project 4 Parents").

The “I Care” program falls under the Humanity Project mission of “instilling greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity” and our trademarked motto, “Equality For Each, Respect For All” in this way: We teach the importance of respect on the roads. Where else in daily life is mutual respect more immediately important than on our dangerous highways, where distracted drivers cause so many crashes and near-crashes? A recognition of the value of our own lives and the lives of others helps us make safety-conscious decisions when motoring. We thank State Farm once again, our loyal partners in this and other programs since 2008. And we hope you will help us to thank them by visiting their website and looking over the many excellent services they offer. State Farm, we can’t do it without you.

#respectontheroads

We’re on a campaign here at the Humanity Project. “Equality For Each, Respect For All!” And we strongly believe that in our distracted high-speed world those important values must include something we call “respect on the roads.” This means showing respect for the lives of other motorists, our passengers and ourselves whenever behind the wheel of an automobile. Because, truly, when is respect among human beings more immediately urgent than when we’re traveling on highways at 70 mph?

We’ve just created a cool new video about #respectontheroads — young kids asking all adults to drive more safely. Research shows children can influence the driving behavior of parents and other grownups if kids learn when and how to speak up. We believe this video speaks loudly to adults who drive. And we’ve just added it to our State-Farm sponsored website for parents of teen drivers, www.thp4parents.com. Check out the video on the homepage by scrolling down a bit … and then maybe also take the online safe driving course while you’re there. It’s quick and it’s fun. As always, a huge thank you to our friends and longtime major sponsor, State Farm … We can’t do it without you!

Community and Corporate Responsibility -- With Thanks!

Today we applaud a caring and loyal friend of the Humanity Project — a friend celebrating their 100th birthday in 2022. We’re talking about our very good neighbors at State Farm. Yes, this is the centennial anniversary of that community-minded company’s founding. We are proud to call them one of our major sponsors.

And we hope you may want to listen to our new podcast with two wonderful representatives of State Farm: Jose Soto, Corporate Responsibility Analyst, and longtime State Farm agent Melba Ballard. You’ll hear a wide-ranging conversation about ways that this highly regarded corporation can help your community — and help you too. You’ll also learn that State Farm has just renewed their sponsorship of the Humanity Project with another generous grant, funding that allows us to provide our programs to both kids and adults for free. Thank you so much, State Farm! We can’t do it without you. Listen to the podcast.

One of State Farm’s annual efforts is called Neighborhood Assist. And this year, their program is bigger and better than ever. Anyone can submit an idea for a much-needed improvement in their community, with a real chance to win $25,000 to make it happen. Submit your pitch for whatever you feel is most needed locally — food for the homeless, maybe, or a community garden. Help for a school or care for the elderly. Find the details at www.neighborhoodassist.com.

Many many corporations talk about responsibility to the community. But State Farm is among the few that actually put their talk into action. We are deeply gratified to continue our long association with this quality company, which supports in tangible ways our work toward “Equality For Each, Respect For All.” We must say it again, then: Thank you, State Farm!

Food, toys and families

We’ve got a new podcast you may enjoy — something special for the upcoming holiday season. And because we’d rather have you listen than read about it, we’ll keep this blog very brief.

It’s another delightful chat with our good friend, Jose Soto, Corporate Responsibility Analyst for State Farm. As you know, State Farm has sponsored the Humanity Project every year starting in 2008 — and that public-spirited company is the reason our acclaimed I Care program exists. You likely also know that State Farm is among the most generous and responsible companies in this nation. And so once more this holiday season, State Farm is helping out with food drives, toy drives and more. In our podcast you’ll also hear about ways that you can assist families in need during this season of giving. As always, big thanks to State Farm! Listen to the podcast.

Good Neighbors, Great Partners

The “Good Neighbor” Company

The “Good Neighbor” Company

The Humanity Project again offers our immense gratitude to State Farm!

We have received another major grant from this wonderful community-minded company… our consistent partner since 2008. The Humanity Project’s acclaimed I Care program teaches young children the value of respect for all people, including #respectontheroads. This means recognizing the value of our own lives and the lives of others by driving with care and attention — something too many distracted drivers often fail to do. Children can help parents to understand this idea, research shows. In our nonprofit’s focus on “Equality For Each, Respect For All,” we feel it’s important to include teachings that extend to highway safety because so many lives are lost through traffic crashes, especially among teen drivers. Teens die from highway crashes more than from any other cause. Respect for each other in this society must involve every aspect of daily life — and this means driving too.

As ever, a huge thank you to Jose Soto and our other great neighbors at State Farm. We can’t carry out all our work without your vital help each year. Be sure to check out our special website devoted to parents of teen drivers: www.thp4parents.com … It’s fun, fresh and informative. It was also created with a generous grant from State Farm. As the company itself explains their work: “State Farm's mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its 19,200 agents and 59,000 employees serve approximately 84 million policies and accounts – over 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and over 2 million bank and investment planning services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2020 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more, please visit www.statefarm.com …”

Good Neighbors, Through Thick and Thin

What can you say about someone who is always there for you, in good times and bad? Even more unusual, what can you say about a major corporation that never falters in their support, no matter how challenging the circumstances?

At the Humanity Project, we have two words for such a corporation: State Farm.

This genuinely public-spirited company has been a consistent sponsor of the Humanity Project since 2008, when they backed our new antibullying programs. Now those programs are firmly established and highly acclaimed — an achievement that might never have happened without State Farm. In more recent years State Farm has helped us create and expand our innovative I Care program, teaching teens and adults to drive attentively and with respect for the lives of everyone on the roads.

Well before the current COVID-19 crisis, State Farm approved the Humanity Project’s grant application for $15,000 to take I Care to the next level. But here is what you need to know about our good neighbors: Once the economic freefall began along with an unprecedented social lockdown, State Farm honored their commitment. Those funds are already in the Humanity Project account. To us, that money says everything. It says this is a quality company guided by the finest ethical principles.

We must specifically give our deep gratitude to Jose Soto, State Farm’s Corporate Responsibility Analyst for Florida and Georgia. Jose is widely regarded as a great asset to our communities. State Farm is lucky to have Jose — and the Humanity Project is fortunate to work with this wonderful man.

So yes, State Farm does more than call itself the good neighbor company. In good times, in bad times, through thick and thin, they prove over and over what being a good neighbor really means. And in the midst of a historic worldwide crisis, what could be more important? Thank you, once again, State Farm!

Goodstock Is Groovy

Goodstock is gonna be very groovy, dude! Far out!

At the Humanity Project we are reliving the era of peace, love and music that came to its peak during Woodstock. That three-day music festival drew some 400,000 people without an incident of violence, despite no police working the venue.

On the exact 50th anniversary of that amazing event, the Humanity Project is holding a major fundraiser we’re calling “Goodstock.” Heh-heh, get it? If you’re in South Florida, mark your calendar for August 18th. An all-day ticket costs only $24 in advance, the same price as a three-day ticket to Woodstock in August 1969. At the door, festivalgoers will pay $30. All proceeds to benefit the Humanity Project. Buy your advance tickets safely through Eventbrite at this link.

Kelly Brothers Irish Pub in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is donating the venue for free, a popular spot for live music each week. Other major sponsors include State Farm, Our Fund, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Thompson Staffing and Yachtees Apparel Company.

Just take a look below at the lineup, a mix of jazz, hip-hop, blues, folk and more — diverse music in the spirit of Woodstock itself. Please come join the fun. Feel the peace, sway to the music … and help a very good cause doing it.

Our Summer School

Some of our summertime Humanity Club student leaders

This is a very busy summer at the Humanity Project!

For the first time in our nearly 14-year history we’re running three full summer programs, each of them through the Broward County Parks & Recreation Department. On Tuesdays, we’re at Boulevard Gardens Community Center with one group of all-girl student leaders. On Wednesdays, we’re at Lafayette Hart Park with a second group of girls. And on Thursdays, the Humanity Project goes to Sunview Park for an all-boy club that’s working on our I Care program.

So rather than take up a lot more time with words just now, let us show you a few more pics you may enjoy!

Our great summer intern, Noel Murray, with one of the girls

We love working with these enthusiastic, very smart girls

The guys of our I Care Club, helping us teach others about #respectontheroads

An engaged group of young men who care

Parents Saving Teens

The daughter? Or the mother? Parents greatly influence their teenager’s driving habits.

A brief post today. Just long enough to tell you about a new podcast you’ll want to hear, especially if you are the parent of a teenage driver. Click here to listen.

Like this blog, it’s called, “Parents Saving Teens” and features insightful discussion from two experts on safe teen driving: Jose Soto from State Farm and Melissa Branca from Florida SADD. The podcast’s focus is on parenting — ways that parents can instill in their young motorists a genuine respect for the dangers posed to their lives and the lives of other people on the roads. Research shows parental driving habits are the largest influence on the driving behavior of teens, who die from auto crashes far more than from any other cause in the United States.

We hope that you’ll take the time to listen carefully to our discussion — and that you’ll pass along the link to friends and family who may benefit as well.

Wow! New Website 4 Parents Of Teen Drivers!

Please don’t spend a lot of time reading this blog, OK? We’re going to keep it very brief …

Why? So instead you can spend some time exploring our brand new resource: “The Humanity Project 4 Parents.” It’s a fun, funny and educational website for parents of teen drivers, an interactive online workshop that teaches rather than preaches. You’ll see what we mean if you check it out: Visit the new thp4parents website!

An alternative SF logo THUMBNAIL -- new Jan 2015.jpg

The site was made possible by generous funding from our great friends, and very good neighbors, at State Farm. At www.thp4parents.com you’ll find the information and tools to help you make sure your teen driver comes home in one piece — and you do too. It’s all about #respectontheroads … So yes, head over to the new site now, if you would be so kind. And please pass along the link to some parents who can use it.

This website and all materials on it are copyrighted by the Humanity Project®.

(Fables and some music are copyrighted by the author, Robert Spencer Knotts.)

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