"Our mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values"

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Characters of Character is "Making A Difference One Child At A Time"
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY:
"Joni has dedicated her life to this incredible and much needed organization, Characters of Character. With so many youths dealing with the stresses of today, it's comforting to know that Joni's creative approach enlightens these children into realizing that they aren't alone with their thoughts, needs and dreams." 
​Rhonda Bellevia
"If you have not sat down with Joni ... you are missing out!  Joni is giving children the opportunity of a lifetime by getting to know her "characters" ... it will change their life. Thank you Joni for giving our children the tools to deal with the world."
Suszan A. Worzala

One Woman's Invention for a Worthy Cause: read article from Suburban Woman's Magazine
"Great program for kids. Joni is amazing with kids, and so positive. I wish more kids would experience Character of Characters. "
Bet Mondroski
Our vision is to be able to donate our resources to help teach, engage and empower our children with these vital core values and plant our characters in Tennessee with our first space, (we are open to various locations) plus to  have a mobile office where we can park a wrapped large vehicle and welcome parents and the community to   learn  what the Characters of Character are all about. Maybe even offer small workshops or painting classes for the community to engage in the characters, too! Ultimately, we'd like to provide a facility in the community for families to come and learn about the Characters of Character. For families, grandparents, parents and caregivers to learn about the different resources that we provide to use in the comfort of their own home. For educators to learn the same and to share with their classroom, grade levels, school and district. For children to come to learn the different character traits through literacy, communication and art. By making this a visual marketing tool driving down the highways sparking the minds of anyone who encounters this, like the Oscar Meyer Hot Dog mobile! You'd know we're coming and you'd know what we do, make a difference in the life of a child.
Did you know that Grants are a resource to bring organizations into your community? Have you reached out to your local Rotary Club, or other Community Foundations? These are a few ways that you can help bring the Characters of Character into yours. Have you thought about bringing in the Characters to your business and treating your employees to a nice time of painting with their children? Kids love to see where their parents work! Or, how about where they are going to school? Your college can also host a painting party for the students and bring in the kids to do some fun painting with their parent! 
"I alone can not change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples" ~Mother Theresa
...Here are some of my ripples...​

Chicago Parent Magazine Spring Fling in Northrbook 2019

Bring the Characters of Character to your Library!
A visit to a local library, sparked a discussion. Read what this parent shared after painting and listening to a story about Manners Monkey:
Dear Ms.Downey,
Super thanks for the great program you gave to all kids at Vernon Area Public Library today! My daughter learnt a lot and cannot stop discussing with me topics of good manners on our way home. She also asked me how to say all polite words in our native language. And she just hung the manners chart on her room. I really appreciate all positive impetus you promoted. 
​Chicago Land Kids Expo
The very first Community Event that the Characters of Character volunteered in was in 2010 at the Chicago Land Kids Expo. The children and families were introduced to each of the characters through their welcoming costumes thanks to our volunteers, coloring pages, photo opportunities, stickers, and other information to help parents teach their children these different traits. Parents actually thanked us for doing what we are doing. Many times when we share a smile it brightens a persons day, and this was put a big smile on our face. This event is held every year at the Renaissance Center in Schaumburg. There are many other fun activities to do, too!
Boxwood Bash in Mt. Prospect
Higher Up Ministries invited us to their Community Event in Mt. Prospect. The Characters of Character brought coloring pages, activities for the children to do plus engage them in conversations to learn about the different traits. We shared stickers, Respectful Rabbit listening ears, coloring pages and lots of hugs! Not only did  we meet wonderful families in the community, we also met some of our Police Officers and the Mayor of the community who appreciated our organization. Jan and Rod McKenzie are the founders of  Higher Up Ministries and created this wonderful event. 
Miss Roy Utah
In 2013 Shelby Hill contacted us. She was looking for a platform to use as she ran for Miss Roy Utah. Naturally, we were honored. She focused on Respect with Respectful Rabbit which she used in a local elementary school presentation. Shelby also had a Princess Tea Party for the young ladies in the community. We met her father as he traveled through Wisconsin and they borrowed a few costumes. Manners Monkey and Self-Esteem Elephant had a wonderful opportunity to teach the children these core values in Utah.
Lisle Eyes To The Skies
The Characters of Character were invited to volunteer in Lisle at their Community Event, Lisle Eyes To The Skies. Here we shared coloring pages and information about the characters at a station where the children would come and sit to color and learn about these different characters.. The characters got some high fives, a lot of hugs and enjoyed meeting the families in the community. Playing the bags games was another opportunity to discuss these different values to the children and families. A simple high five from a character opens up a fun conversation as the meaning. Remember a hug can brighten a persons day, and so can a high five from these friendly characters. 
McHenry County Human Race
With our amazing volunteers, the Characters of Character came out to the McHenry County College to cheer on the runners for this community event, The Human Race. The theme is Super Heroe's so we had fun.
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The Characters of Character have also volunteered at The Grafton Food Pantry in Lakewood, McHenry Movie Night,  Schaumburg Healthy Kids Day, Pearl Street, National Night Out in Richmond Spring Grove and also Wonder Lake and Lake In the Hills Nickelodeon Kids Day.
Chapel Hill Body Works 10 Year Anniversary 
Healthy Hippo volunteered to help out in the Community of Johnsburg as the Chapel Hill Body Works Wellness Center was celebrating their 10 year Anniversary. Healthy Hippo donated to their raffle with some of our books, shared a coloring and activity station for the children to work at plus the Healthy Hippo Bags game. The Richmond Burton High School shared some of their student volunteers to dress in the costume and help pass out information, too.  We also celebrated Lake Barrington Academy of Stars 10 year Anniversary with Self-Esteem Elephant.
WE BELIEVE THAT SHARING OUR MATERIALS IN THE COMMUNITY HELPS:
  • To build traits into personal habits
  • The characters to discuss with children ways to make the connections with the trait and build  their character
  • To promote student success by providing them with internal tools to achieve their goals
  • To provide academic enhancement and life skills
  • To support and promote physical, mental, social and emotional health
  • To introduce youth to not only realize their potential, but reach their full potential and build a sense of purpose. Students interact with each other in positive ways and develop a positive sense of belonging
  • To develop emotional and social skills help children to communicate effectively, allowing them to better manage their behavior 
Did you know:
Goal:
​Characters of Character is a nationwide organization helping children to internalize positive character traits.  We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.    Our organization provides tools and resources to help teach children good behavior, perseverance, friendship, healthy habits, manners, respect, responsibility, confidence, and kindness.  Characters of Character promotes positive character values, literacy skills, social skills, fine motor skills, decision making skills, reading skills, and writing skills.  We are making a difference, one child at a time.
While we share our resources nationally, our ultimate goal is to provide a studio where parents can come to do workshops and learn about these characters to reinforce in their own home. With a studio, educators can come to learn about, participate in and share with their classrooms, schools and districts the materials we provide to teach character to our children.Most important, we will have a studio for children to bring these characters to life on canvas with our mommy and me painting classes, after school art, through story time, puppet making, writing, discussions and more, to help these values  become a bigger part of who the children already are.
Kid Created
Does one really know what's on the mind of our youth at times? These are some of the "Kid Created" characters that were received through the years. After a child learns about the characters, they really make them think. These are what kids came up with on their own. We've received stories to the characters as well. Such a simple way to open the lines of communication with a child.