Building Confidence in Children and Good Character

Self-Esteem Elephant is one of nine Characters of Character NFP. After piloting these characters in an elementary school, the creator, Joni earned a National Promising Practice Award! Quite an accomplishment being that only two schools in Illinois were awarded this that year. The year was 2005 and Joni was working as a Teaching Assistant on the Reading Team at the school In 2007 she took a leave of absence to form the 501(c)(3) not for profit organization named Characters of Character!

Today, the organization has brought all nine characters to life in costume, published over 30 books, impacted thousands of children, engaged many communities in these messages, taught painting classes through some Park Districts, visited classrooms, created a YouTube channel to share activities and character building lessons, plus, donated over 1,000 Superhero Activity Boxes to children's hospitals in Illinois and Tennessee.

Allow me to introduce to you Behavior Bear, Do'er Duck, Friendship Frog, Healthy Hippo, Manners Monkey, Respectful Rabbit, Responsible Rabbit, Self-Esteem Elephant and Warm-Hearted Walrus, they would love to meet you!

Characters of Character relocated from Illinois to Tennessee in October of 2021 and has not stopped sharing these important messages to your communities! What have we done to make an impact in Tennessee so far?

* Joined the Nashville Chamber of Commerce

* Joined NECAT to do Children's Programming

* Wrote over a dozen articles for Pure Living Nashville Magazine

* Presented at the Health and Wellness Fair

* Taught character painting classes at the Burt Cobb Rec Center in Clarksville

* Volunteered at the Chocolate Fest

* Donated our Superhero Activity Boxes to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderblit

* Donated our Superhero Activity Boxes to East Tennessee Children's Hospital

* Donated our Mindfulness Confidence Building Boxes to the Hendersonville Library

* Partnered with Belmont University

* Partnered with PENCIL

* Joined the Arts & Business Council of Nashville (Welcomed a New Board Member through here)

* Donated our Superhero Activity Boxes to the Rainbow Kids Clinic in Clarksville

* Donated our Superhero Activity Boxes to the Vanderbilt Clinic in Clarksville

* Will be a vendor at the Farmer's Market in Clarksville this year

So you see, we're here to stay, we're here to make a difference in the life of a child and to share these character messages with families, communities and our children and youth. While the big picture is to find a space to welcome in the communities for families, schools, clubs, youth and other organizations to engage in these lessons and activities, right now we have a few projects which YOU can become a part of. YOU will make the difference because we can not donate our boxes with out donations and sponsors. Please visit us on line to learn more how you can become involved in our projects and organization.

If we have not met, and there are so many who we would welcome the opportunity to, please contact us and let's enjoy a cup of coffee and talk!

With much gratitude,

Joni Downey, President and Founder of Characters of Character NFP