Our mission statement is:  “To empower, encourage and educate kids and their families worldwide, through music and theater, to become actively involved in protecting our global environment.”

   THE FOUNDATION:

ECO HERO KIDS FOUNDATION (EHKF) is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation that was formed in 2009.  All gifts to EHKF are deductive to the extent provided by law.

The general purpose for which EHKF was formed is to do everything necessary, suitable, or possible for the accomplishment of any of the primary objectives, including:

(a) To increase public awareness of the environmental challenges that the world faces and to inspire individuals and organizations to create positive change;

(b) To create educational opportunities and materials which describe the environmental challenges that the world faces and to distribute these materials to the largest possible audience globally.

The EHKF was created to respond to the undeniable fact that our environment needs our help, and our children are asking us to assist them in making a difference.  The Eco Hero Kids is a group of children who are committed to reversing the damage already done to our Earth: polar bears losing their homes, the earth getting warmer and warmer, and the ocean so polluted that there is a floating island of trash the size of Texas. 

The EHKF gives children the opportunity to conduct a public program of outreach to inspire kids everywhere to begin to recycle, renew energy through simple changes in individual and family behavior, conserve land and resources and reducing waste through changes in behavior: each of these  “strategies” are documented in the Eco Hero Kids’ repertoire of music and free public performance, and are suggested as global strategies through the environmental awareness activities that the kids suggest through their music and in their public performances both locally and via the internet.

The children of the Eco Hero Kids Foundation are led by singer/songwriter Julia Holland, who has taught music and theater, and knows how dance and music can spread a message that resonates with kids and adults as well.  The Eco Hero Kids were assembled to spread the message to the public that kids worldwide, especially kids under the age of 12, can make a real difference in their future through their performances and through communicating to children globally how they can save the planet from the ravages of environmental degradation and lead through example: the Eco Hero Kids have a list of specific things that they show kids that they can do: these actions are described in detail in the music that they have recorded and which the EHKF distributes free of charge globally through the internet.

The children of the Eco Hero Kids Foundation have extended an invitation to kids worldwide to join them in leading the environmental movement, changing behaviors with specific environmentally conscious life choices, inspiring kids via a public campaign to help change the behavior of their families and friends, and conducting a program of outreach via their music and free public performances designed to invite kids worldwide with the message: you can be an eco-hero, too!

OUR TEAM!

Julia Holland, Creator and Executive Director.   Julia recently received the “Music Educator of the Year” award from the 2011 Malibu Music Awards for her dedication and work within the community.   Julia was nominated for “Best Director of a Musical” from the 2011 NAACP Theater Awards for her direction of John Michael LaChiusa’s “The Wild Party” at the Malibu Stage Company where she also serves on the Board of Directors. She has been teaching and inspiring singers of all ages in her thriving, private vocal and piano studio in Malibu and ran the vocal programs at two Malibu elementary schools for 6 years.   Julia is also founder and co-director of Once Upon A Time Children’s Theater that mounts full-length Broadway musicals for youth each year.    Julia is a working performer, singer, songwriter and studio musician and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Cal State Northridge.   Her passion for music, teaching and the environment has come together in a synergistic fashion with the Eco Hero Kids and her dream of encouraging everyone to become stewards of our beautiful planet.

Carl Graves, Co-Producer and EHK Songwriter.   Carl co-writes the Eco Hero Kids music with Creator, Julia Holland.    He received his formal musical training from the prestigious Royal Toronto Conservatory of Music, later completing studies in Jazz.  Carl’s first major professional success in America came as a member of Capitol Records’ recording artists, “Skylark,” led by internationally renowned producer-composer David Foster.   Carl embarked on a solo career, recording two albums with A&M Records.  His hit singles included “Baby Hang Up The Phone” and “Heart Be Still.”  In the late 80’s, Carl was invited by producer-composer Danny Elfman to join MCA recording group “Oingo Boingo” as keyboardist/vocalist.  He subsequently toured and recorded three albums with the group.   In demand as a solo and group vocalist, keyboardist and arranger, he composes and produces film and television soundtracks, commercials and record dates.

Shalane Respondek, Educational Director.

Jere Rae-Mansfield, Commercial Outreach Director.   Jere serves as monterey media’s Co-Managing Partner and CFO, and oversees monterey's Creative and Marketing Departments in the independent film distribution arena where she has championed many award-winning films.  A University of California at San Diego education led her to commercial acting and TV where she became a working SAG member.   Jere’s keen business savvy led her to become an accomplished producer, both in the feature film and commercial venues.    She has served multiple terms on the National Board for KIDS FIRST! (Coalition for Quality Children's Media); two terms as President and two as Vice President for the Entertainment AIDS Alliance, is a Member of the Silver Telly Council and heads monterey's outreach for charitable causes.    Jere has been recognized by the EAA as a "Visionary", Video Business Magazine as "Women to Watch", by Who’s Who in Corporate America and as "Women Elite" in 2007's Video Business Magazine.

Emanette Peniche,  Social Media and Public Outreach Intern.    Emanette is from San Diego, California and is currently a Senior at Pepperdine University majoring in International Studies.  She has extensive experience as a volunteer and intern for non-profit organizations and now is excited to be part of the Eco Hero Kids team.  As an aunt of two amazing seven and six year old girls, she is  convinced that we have the responsibility to shape our young youth to become stewards of the earth.   Emanette is passionate about social justice issues and truly believes in working towards making the world a better place.

Cathy Egner, Grant Writer and Fundraising Director.    is a single mother of 3, self-professed “full -time volunteer”, for the last 11 years, Cathy has devoted much of her free time to Malibu public education.   Cathy has served as President of Malibu High School Athletic Booster Club, as well as Exec VP, Treasurer & Auditor for both Juan Cabrillo Elementary & Malibu High School PTAs.  Cathy has served as Site Governance Council Board Member, The Shark Fund Board Member as well as Board of Directors Member for MPower Inc.  Cathy is a recipient of the PTA’s prestigious Golden Oak Award.  Most recently, she has been working as an independent Grants Consultant for non-profits. “…The need for funding calls for a well laid out strategic plan, regardless of the programs, and thoughtful parameters for evaluating the success of those programs.  Grant Writing was a logical transition for me.”  A Transcendental Meditation instructor for 38 years and a Reiki instructor for 20 years, reflect Cathy’s lifelong roots in spirituality which has served as a basis to live a life committed to making a difference each and every day.

Kiri Bowman,  Social Media and Public Outreach Intern.    Originally from Portland, Oregon, she is currently a senior at Pepperdine University pursuing degrees in Creative Writing and English with an emphasis in Rhetoric. She is a self-described workaholic who works for Malibu Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream and babysits for multiple families in Malibu and Calabasas. She has always been driven to serve in the non-profit sector, working with foundations such as Reading to Kids and BookEnds as well as tutoring programs for incarcerated teenagers. In the future she hopes to become a published author and college professor.