Skootish Takes the Digital Stage in July Charity Stream
Skootish Takes the Digital Stage in July Charity Stream
Jackson Harrington is a young actor and comedian with a larger-than-life personality.
“At a very young age, I always knew acting and performing was the thing that I was put on this earth to do,” he said.
He faithfully chased that dream all the way into higher education where he earned a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. It was meant to be the start of his career; a foundation that would serve as a springboard to a future in professional theater.
But, like many, he found his path derailed by the pandemic in 2020. As the world came to a halt, so did the acting opportunities. Yet instead of giving up, Harrington switched gears. Moving from New York back to Boston where his family lived, he focused on building a Twitch channel where he could harness his talents in a new way.
Skootish Takes the Digital Stage on Twitch
Harrington invested serious research into how he could grow his Twitch channel. He created a steady schedule and crafted a unique persona that he believed would capture an audience – and he wasn’t wrong. With his efforts came steady growth as he saw his consecutive viewers rise from an average of nine per stream to as high as 50 to 60 consecutive viewers per stream.
Beyond consistency and character, Harrington attributes his success to his viewers’ experience.
“It’s all about… creating an environment where everyone around you feels as though they were in the same room as you and you could pass the control over them and they can take control of whatever game you’re playing right now,” he said.
When forced to boil down that environment to one word, Harrington describes it as “loud.”
“I have always been loud,” he explained. “I’ve always been high energy. I’ve always been willing to jump in the air and dance and let my freak flag fly.”
As a boisterous entertainer with a knack for improvised comedy, Harrington naturally draws in a crowd. His community totes their “skootie” flag with pride as they actively engage with him – and often play games with him – throughout the stream.
“Everyone in my community and in the neighboring communities know me as someone who is loud, rambunctious and loves a good joke, even if it’s at my expense,” he said. “We like to laugh together. We like to smile.”
Giggle and Give During Skootish’s Charity Stream on July 10
Recently, Harrington received an invitation to do a charity stream in support of Dreamscape Foundation. As he learned about our non-profit’s efforts to make the world more accessible to the disabled community, he felt compelled to support it.
“I was a camp counselor for a very long time,” he said. “I had kids that would have benefited a lot from Dreamscape’s mission and I wish I could have provided that help to them then. [To be able to] provide that help to them now is, I think, very powerful and a very wonderful thing that I can do.”
Starting at 12pm EST on Saturday, July 10, Harrington will hold a marathon playthrough of Kingdom Hearts RE: Chain of Memories from start to finish via his Twitch channel. During that time, he will offer various incentives to give, giggle, and earn cool prizes. You can donate to our fundraiser on Tiltify here. All proceeds will go to Dreamscape Foundation to support its mission.
« PreviousNext »Johan Yusof Reaches for the Stars in This 5-Day Charity Event
Johan Yusof Reaches for the Stars in This 5-Day Charity Event
Johan Yusof may have first graced the streaming community with his handsome voice and smooth dance moves in 2018, but when it comes to singing and dancing, he is a seasoned veteran. Yusof began performing on stage 21 years ago, planting his roots in theater before branching out as a Japanese pop (J-Pop) singer.
Before COVID-19, he could often be found performing at anime conventions across Malaysia and Singapore. However, the pandemic restricted live performances, spurring this multitalented artist to connect with his audience via a safer, digital venue: Twitch.
Johan Yusof Becomes a One Man Show on Stream
Like so many across the globe, COVID-19 had a significant impact on Yusof’s career and aspirations. As the world cocooned within the safety of their homes, he found himself pressed to find new avenues of income.
Thus, Yusof turned to Twitch, making it his new stage. He brings energy and entertainment as a one-man show on his channel, which consists of a mix of him dropping moves in Just Dance, playing video games, singing, doing impersonations, and even acting out dares posed by his viewers.
“I’m glad I had streaming to fall back onto,” Yusof confessed. “Even though it’s not very easy, I’m glad that at the very least, this is something that I could do at home and be able to make the best out of it.”
Although singing is his self-proclaimed first love, dancing also holds a special place for Yusof. His mother was a professional dancer whose career had her performing at festivals, on stage and even on television. Now that she is retired, he feels the need to take up the baton.
“Part of the reason I’m dancing a lot on stream is because I want to continue carrying on my mom’s legacy as a dancer,” he said.
For those who have never tuned into Yusof’s streams, they’re like a party with an open invitation. He dances in a room illuminated by colorful lights, and engages with an active chat in between songs and requests. The experience is, in many ways, more intimate than the concerts and shows he put on previously. It offers a two-way street that allows viewers to become a part of the experience rather than simply observing it.
“I enjoy connecting with people from all different walks of life, to have that kind of interaction, to be able to chat with a lot of people, and to get to know them,” he said. “Putting on a show at the same time is something I find something very, very, valuable to me. It’s something that I really enjoy and really cherish.”
To him, it’s not just about performing but making his viewers feel happy.
Johan Yusof’s “Five Days of Fireworks” Takes Flight in July
When Yusof first received the invitation to do a fundraiser for Dreamscape Foundation, he felt the need to dig deeper into the non-profit’s mission and the ways it uses its funds to help others. The more he learned about our mission, the more he felt compelled to support it.
“Dreamscape’s MO [modus operandi] is basically to help out those within the disabled community, and I feel that what I do streaming, or gaming, or even dancing or singing for that matter, is for everyone to be able to enjoy whether they able-bodied or not,” he said. “And if there are ways for the disabled community to do what they love to do, what they want to do, and what they’re passionate about doing, without having to be forced to conform to any sort of limitations, I would love to help them out in any possible way.”
That help will be taking the form of a multi-day fundraising event called “Five Days of Fireworks.” Scheduled to take place from July 1 to July 5, the schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, July 1, 2021:
- Just Dance 2021 (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Friday, July 2, 2021:
- Karaoke JOYSOUND for Nintendo Switch (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Just Dance 2021 (9PM – 1AM EST)
- Saturday, July 3, 2021:
- Either Mario Kart 8 Deluxe / Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Sunday, July 4, 2021:
- Just Dance 2021 (9AM – 1PM EST)
- Monday, July 5, 2021:
- Just Dance 2021 (9AM – 1PM EST)
To participate in this event, tune into Yusof’s Twitch channel, and donate by visiting the Tiltify Campaign.
« PreviousNext »VoidedMods Invite You to Join Family Game Night
VoidedMods Invite You to Join Family Game Night
Freckles and Farce, GranDaddySkulls, Legend of Layne, and ItsAMeWolfie were once moderators (aka “mods”) for the same Twitch streamer. During that time, they found chemistry and friendship beyond taming the Wild West that is a streamer’s live chat. But in 2020, those duties came to an abrupt end.
“Recently, the person we had been modding for decided to step away from Twitch and continue on their own path, and we looked at each other and went, ‘Well, we can’t just stop. We love this.’ So we decided to start our own stream,” Skulls explained.
The departure of the streamer they modded for triggered the birth of their own streaming channel on Twitch called VoidedMods.
The Streaming Quartet and Their Community
The streaming quartet may share a history as moderators, but each of them has their own personality.
Freckles “brings the weird” to their streams and community. She’s known for dropping random facts and bringing humor and levity to the conversation.
Layne delivers “high BS energy” and keeps the conversation flowing.
Skulls feeds off of Freckles’ humor, expanding on the inevitable odd fact and fueling the banter within the conversation. They are also the one that “goes after the money”, meaning they encourage opportunities for monetization within the stream to help fund the VoidedMods channel.
Wolfie, by contrast, is the grounded one. He serves as the anchor that brings this high-energy, fun-loving group back down to Earth.
Together, they create an atmosphere that draws in a diverse and inclusive community that is as much a part of the VoidedMods stream as the streamers themselves.
“I would consider us variety streamers, as we play a different game every time. But as a Twitch stream, I would say we’re very community based,” Layne said. “Everything we do, all the decisions we make, and the games that we play [are] for the people on our Discord server. It’s all based on what we hear from them.”
When VoidedMods aren’t engaging their viewers live on stream, they’re actively communicating and hanging out with them in their Discord server, The Lost Void, where they hold all kinds of activities, including movie nights and open mic nights.
VoidedMods Takes Pride in Creating an Inclusive Environment
One of the biggest things VoidedMods prides themselves on is the inclusiveness of their community. All of them are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and they actively speak out on their desire to create a place where people feel welcome and safe.
Periodically during their stream, viewers will see a message that says, “On this stream we, the VoidedMods, believe that black lives matter, black trans lives matter, women’s rights are human rights, we condemn anti-Asian violence and hate, we support the rights of disabled people, and we embrace the entire rainbow of the LGBTQ+. If you do not align with these beliefs, you are free to leave but please leave in peace.”
It’s this kind of message and motivation to create an inclusive environment that inspired them to support Dreamscape Foundations mission to bridge the accessibility gap.
“[Dreamscape Foundation] really goes along with our usual ‘charity wants,’” Skulls said. “We want equality, we want people to feel welcomed, and we want people to have the world to be accessible to them… We want people to come into our community and feel like they have equal rights and equal love and equal attention. A charity like this meshes so well with what we’re trying to put together for our own community.”
Join in on the Fun and Games in VoidedMods’ Charity Stream
On June 26, 2021, VoidedMods will put on a charity stream that aims to raise $600 for Dreamscape Foundation. The theme is Family Game Night.
“I kind of came up with this concept because we’ve always seen ourselves as a family,” Freckles said. “We’re going to be doing different games that are common for families to play [like] Monopoly and Uno. We might throw in Scribble It! because it’s kind of like Pictionary.”
Want to be a part of this fun-filled Family Game Night? You can tune in from anywhere. The charity stream will begin at 2:30pm EST on their Twitch channel and is scheduled to last for at least six hours.
« PreviousNext »Drop Into MrsGothicc’s Fall Guys Charity Stream on May 16, 2021
Drop Into MrsGothicc’s Fall Guys Charity Stream on May 16, 2021
MrsGothicc’s Twitch handle may sound a little dark, but don’t let the name fool you. This non-profit streamer designed her channel with a bright mission in mind: to raise funds for charities. Dreamscape Foundation will be the beneficiary of her efforts in May as she launches a charity stream with a target goal of raising $500 for our mission.
MrsGothicc’s Humble Beginnings as a Gamer and a Streamer
MrsGothicc’s first console was a Nintendo 64, where she played classic titles like Donkey Kong 64, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario 64. Back then, gaming was a casual hobby that she engaged in off and on. However, when she bought an Xbox 360 to entertain herself in between her studies in college, it leveled up her love for gaming. She attributes this renewed passion to a game called Bioshock. It quickly became her favorite, sparking a long-term love affair with the franchise.
MrsGothicc entered into the streaming world in early 2020 as a way for her and her husband to have fun together during the global pandemic. With the world on lockdown, it became their shared hobby. The pair began with a simple setup, streaming directly from their Xbox One consoles to Microsoft’s now-retired platform, Mixer.
Through this experience, she quickly discovered that streaming wasn’t just about watching people play video games. It was about community, and the connections people formed over it.
“Meeting people through streaming is one of the biggest saving graces over the last year,” she said.
Using Her Streaming Channel as a Vehicle for Charity
After Mixer closed, MrsGothicc moved her channel over to Twitch where the vision and purpose for her channel began to take form.
“When I started to get into [streaming] more, I saw it as an opportunity to help people,” she said.
Prior to the pandemic, MrsGothicc actively volunteered with her local Ronald McDonald House Charity chapter, which helped to provide medical care and assistance to sick children and their families. However, health-related restrictions due to the pandemic put those effort on pause. Thus, she turned to streaming as a new avenue for giving back.
She set out to gain affiliation with Twitch in order to use her channel as a vehicle to raise funds for charity. Her goal was to upgrade her equipment and become a Twitch affiliate over the span of a year, but it happened much quicker. By December 2020, she achieved her objective.
Now she is a part of Sidequest, a team with more than 60 members ranging from newly affiliated streamers to seasoned streaming veterans. They conduct multiple charity events each month, both as a group and through individual efforts.
“It’s important to be a good ally – having a community that not only cares and supports others but also tries to do what they can to help those in need. Be the love and light we need in the world because that is what will make a difference.”
Join MrsGothicc on May 16 at 1:00PM EST to Raise Funds for Dreamscape Foundation
MrsGothicc will be holding a Fall Guys-themed charity stream benefitting Dreamscape Foundation’s mission on May 16, 2021. This 6-hour stream-a-thon will include multiple ways for you to earn prizes and interact with her via your donations:
- Donate $5: Receive a charity garland ring and Fall Guys sticker
- Donate $10: Choose the spice level for the “Spicy Bean Boozled” dare
- Donate $20: Choose a way to hinder MrsGothicc’s Fall Guys gameplay for 5 minutes by:
- Making her wear starry eye goggles
- Preventing her from swearing
- Make her play the game with her controller held upside-down
- Donate $50: Make her purposely lose the match by:
- Jumping off the map
- Standing still while others try to complete the map around her
The goal is to raise $500 for Dreamscape Foundation’s mission. Rewards for MrsGothicc’s community for achieving – or exceeding – these goals include a Dr. Thiccrespect E-Sport Stream (at $500 raised) or a stream where she cosplays as JarJar Blinks while playing Star Wars games (if $1,000 is raised).
To participate, tune into MrsGothicc’s Twitch channel Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 1:00PM EST.
« PreviousNext »Shellieface to Host Dreamscape’s next Charity Stream!
Shellieface to Host Dreamscape’s next Charity Stream!
Move over Baby Shark, there is a new family in town! Meet Shellieface, Papaface, Mamaface and Sisterface. This close-knit family is taking the Twitch community by storm and winning over the hearts of followers. Shellieface, legally known as Michelle Saliba, never thought her cute, but silly nickname would make the impact it has today. “Everything in the community now is Teamface. When I play Animal Crossing my island is called Islandface, or whenever we name characters it’s Somethingface and it’s like a huge joke,” she explained. “Even my parents joined Twitch and their handles are Papafacesays and Mamafacesays. It’s like a brand now.”
A Family Affair
With Shellie’s family being so supportive, not to mention involved in her streaming, you might be surprised to learn that she was not the first one to join the platform. “My sister joined Twitch first and has her own little handle, but we joke that she’s my number one hype woman,” Saliba laughed. “She’s the Michelle Obama to my Barack Obama.” The family support doesn’t end there. Michelle’s support also includes her brother-in-law, cousins and even her aunt. “I’m like this is so amazing that the family is getting involved,” she shared. “I love it.”Shining the Light
“Mental health is something that I think has been kind of underrated and under looked at. It’s so sad to see that not many people give it the foundation and the attention that it needs to keep us happy, moving and growing,” Shellieface explained. “I like to promote something where, you know, people can have their own light at the end of the tunnel.” The streamer shares multiple different options with her community, including one she uses herself called TalkSpace. With the added impact of the pandemic, as well as having a background in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saliba made discussing the topic of Mental Health Awareness a priority within her community.Making a Difference the Michelle Way
Michelle has always felt a calling to help people, but because she holds onto what other people share she knew being a counselor was never an option. Then, she was introduced to life coaching. “I’m actually looking at applying to programs now to become a life coach,” she shared. “I want to integrate that into my channel, so that I am available to help people in my own safe capacity where it’s not detrimental to myself. I can still assess people and help them get where they need to go in their comfort zone.”Shellie the ASMRtist
Sharing resources and life coaching are not the only ways Shellieface provides comfort to her community. “ASMR, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is essentially a tingling sensation that you can get, it’s just kind of like a reflexive response to a particular sound,” the streamer informed. “How it’s done is you turn the gain up on the microphone, speak in a very soft voice or sometimes not at all, and you just kind of do repetitive, gentle sounds that normally could be considered annoying, but when it’s done correctly is very soothing.” For anyone unfamiliar with ASMR, compare it to playing a white noise machine at night because it helps you sleep.Friday Night Fun!
This Friday, May 7, join Dreamscape Foundation and Shellieface in raising money to provide accessibility for individuals living with disabilities during our charity stream event starting at 8 pm EST. “The most important aspect of [the stream] is the awareness and the knowledge,” Michelle explained. “Knowledge to me is exceptionally powerful because then people can research it more, ask how can I make this better, and it only takes a handful of people to look further into that foundation to help. That’s what promotes the change.” « PreviousNext »HiveQueen Takes the Throne in Dreamscape Foundation’s Next Charity Stream
HiveQueen Takes the Throne in Dreamscape Foundation’s Next Charity Stream
For Robin (HiveQueen) streaming isn’t just a hobby or a way to pass the time. It became a way to cope and adjust to a new environment. 3 years ago Robin moved from her home in west Canada to South Korea with her husband in search of new opportunities. After finding herself struggling to make friends in her new home, her husband suggested she try streaming. Robin has always enjoyed playing video games, so it seemed like a great way to meet new people with common interests while also doing something she enjoys.
The Hard Working Bee
Robin has now been streaming in her spare time for the last 3 years. When Robin is not streaming, she is working at her full-time job as a teacher, or enjoying some quality “me” time. When asked what she enjoys most about streaming, Robin says that over the years her favorite part about streaming has always been getting to meet new people and build relationships with them. Twitch is all about coming together with people from all walks of life to share in their common interests, whether that be gaming or whatever you choose to stream about. Another really great thing about streaming Robin says, is the ability to help and give back.Over the years, my favorite part about streaming has always been getting to meet new people and build relationships with them.Growing up she loved to get involved with charity events in her community, but as she got older she found it increasingly more difficult to find the time to give back. Once she learned about charity streams as a way to give back, she was more than excited to take this opportunity to help. By using the connections, she has made over the years within the streaming community, she has been able to do multiple charity streams and raise not only money but also awareness for some very important causes. One thing that she wants people to know when they are watching her charity streams is that, even if you can’t afford to contribute financially, Robin makes sure everyone knows that their presence is support enough! Just by spreading the word and showing support in any way you can, you are making a difference.
Dreamscape and HiveQueen_
On Saturday February 29th beginning at 2pm (EST) Robin will be partnering with The Dreamscape Foundation to help raise funds and awareness to help get multiple visually impaired people the assistive technology they need to take back their lives! A quick message that she has for those within the disabled community… “you are not forgotten, there are so many people who will be coming together for this event and for them! If you are feeling alone or just horrible about something you have gone through, remember you are loved and cared for. You are not alone and there are people who have your back!” With giving back in mind, Robin and the Dreamscape Team put their heads together to come up with amazing prizes and giveaways as a way to say thank you to all those who donate and support the event. Based on a tier donation system, your donations will award you a number of different gifts you are sure to love! Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself:
(please note, all prizes ship US only)
- Tier 1 – $5:
- 1 Random Steam Key
- 1 Raffle entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Tier 2 – $10:
- 1 Random Steam Key
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 3 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Tier 3 – $20:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Tier 4 – $50:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 1 Fornite 7” Llama Loot Plush
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- 2 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
- Tier 5 – $100:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 1 Fornite 7” Llama Loot Plush
- 1 Mystery Funko Pop
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- 6 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
- Tier 6 – $250:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 1 Fornite 7” Llama Loot Plush
- 1 Mystery Funko Pop
- 1 World of Warcraft Official Cookbook
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- 10 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
- A featured article on our Blog Page
New Year, New Charity Stream with FearTheSticks
New Year, New Charity Stream with FearTheSticks
With the New Year upon us, it’s important to reflect back on another year gone. The goals you’ve accomplished, the changes you’ve made and much more. But more important is looking forward to new opportunities and starting off the year right! In order to do just that, the Dreamscape Foundation is teaming up with FearTheSticks (AKA Jacob), for another charity stream event! Ready for another chance to make a difference for someone in need, FearTheSticks kicks off 2020 on Saturday January 4th with a 12+ hour charity stream event!
From Saving Lives to Improving Lives
Jacob, former US Navy, now out of the sub and onto Twitch as a fulltime streamer, has lived a life devoted to others. Having risked his life to serve and protect his country and fellow Americans, he still has a strong drive to help those he can. That is why FearTheSticks has teamed up with the Dreamscape Foundation to help raise funds to provide needed accessible technology to a young visually impaired man. Getting ready for his first ever charity stream, FearTheSticks is grateful for the opportunity and is excited to see how it unfolds. Sticking to his basics, he will primarily be playing League of Legends with his favorite character Fiddlesticks. All are welcome to tune in and even join in on some of the rounds! Now this isn’t just any old stream. FearTheSticks is pulling out all the stops. To help make the event special for his community, Jacob will have a few surprises in store for his community.Let’s Get the Details
From prizes and raffles, to a possible surprise League of Legends themed attire, Jacob is pulling out all the stops to step things up a notch! Beginning at 9am this Saturday January 4th, Jacob will be getting the party started! Going straight through to 9pm, gives you plenty of time to check things out and win some prizes! With a fully packed prize tier, FearTheSticks is happy to be offering the following giveaways and raffles to his community:(Please note, all prizes ship US only)
- Tier 1 – $5:
- 1 Random Steam Key
- 1 Raffle entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Tier 2 – $10:
- 1 Random Steam Key
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 3 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Tier 3 – $20:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- Tier 4 – $50:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 1 $10 League of Legends Riot Points Card
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- 2 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
- Tier 5 – $100:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 1 $10 League of Legends Riot Points Card
- 1 Mystery Funko Pop
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- 6 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
- Tier 6 – $250:
- 4 Random Steam Keys
- 1 Dreamscape T-Shirt
- 1 $10 League of Legends Riot Points Card
- 1 Mystery Funko Pop
- 1 League of Legends Realms of Runeterra Book
- 5 Raffle entries to win a $50 Amazon gift card
- 10 Raffle entries to win a $100 Amazon gift card
- A featured article on our Blog Page
CamWeppTV’s Charity Stream Gives Thanks by Giving Back
CamWeppTV’s Charity Stream Gives Thanks by Giving Back
CamWeppTV, aka Cameron, first began her twitch journey on a channel called “2girls1twitch” with her friend. After getting to see more of what the twitch community is about, she decided to branch off into her own personal channel now known as CamWeppTV. This new channel was a great outlet for her to express her creativity in a safe and welcoming environment. Through her channel, she has created lifelong friendships within the twitch community that are always there to support her when she needs them.
A judgment free zone!
For Cameron twitch is not just a form of entertainment or a hobby to pass the time, it is a lifeline for her. Her channel has been a platform where she is free to be her authentic self, free of judgment. While many streamers showcase their gaming skills, Cameron uses her channel to feature her many talents, from art, singing/raping, comedy, to simply interacting with folks around her. When tuning into her channel, you might see her live streaming a public performance from places like the train station, or possibly witness her creating a canvas masterpiece.Twitch- A platform for giving back
One of the many reason Cameron loves streaming, is the opportunity it provides her to give back to the community. Twitch has been such a big influence in helping her overcome the obstacles in her life, that she feels very fortunate to be able to use her channel to help others in the same way. Using twitch, she has done multiple charity streams to raise money for various causes. One stream she has done that is particularly near and dear to her heart, was for her friend that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Using her channel, she was able to raise money that went to help paying for her medical bills. If there is one thing Cameron could pass along to other streamers like herself it is that even if you aren’t asked to do a charity stream, if you have the opportunity to do so, reach out and find ways to use your channel for good. There is no better feeling in the world than helping someone in need!Charity Stream Details
Cameron’s charity stream will be on November 24th beginning at 2pm EST in support of aiding Penny Jackson in raising funds to purchase e-sight eyewear technology. Penny had suffered two strokes affecting the optic nerves in each of her eyes. This left her with only peripheral vision in her left eye, weakened vision in the right and high light sensitivity in both. With the help of this corrective e-sight eyewear, Penny will be able to regain not only her vision, but her independence as well. Cameron will be combining this fundraiser with her annual Thanksgiving stream. Some content you can look forward to seeing is cooking, comedy, singing, dancing, live art demos, and more! Like many other charity events we will be giving thank you gifts based on your donation tier, in addition to raffling off a few grand prizes. Prizes will consist of things like amazon gift cards, tee-shirts, headphones, art/creative writing supplies, Tiny Hands, and more! Prizes will vary based on the tier level of donations to the cause. Our goal for this event is to raise $1,000+ for Penny’s new glasses. Any amount you feel comfortable donating is greatly appreciated! Regardless of your ability to donate, we encourage and hope you tune in and enjoy the fun with the rest of this amazing online community on Sunday November 24th at 2PM EST!
To learn more about or stay up to date with Cameron and her Twitch Community, please check out her Twitch Channel, Twitter, or Instagram!
« PreviousNext »
Learning Without Limits – National Center on Accessible Education Materials at CAST
Learning Without Limits – National Center on Accessible Education Materials at CAST
Looking back, many of us cannot remember difficulties we faced as young students, when learning the tasks we now see as simple. Things like reading, writing, using a computer or smart phone, and more. We have known how to do tasks like these for so long, we don’t even have to think, we just do it. In school, we might have had difficulty understanding material but not the basic functions we use to study and learn. Taking notes, reading chapters, watching educational videos, and studying flashcards are all key study tactics. But what if one day in middle school or high school, you suddenly lose your sight or hearing? Now, these simple everyday tasks have become some of your biggest challenges as a student. What do you do now? How can you imagine keeping up with your studies, when you have to relearn the basics from scratch? With the help of the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), these challenges can be conquered.
Expanding Learning Opportunities for All
The National AEM Center at CAST is a federally funded technical assistance center based out of the nonprofit organization CAST. The mission of CAST is to remove learning barriers by creating inclusive and flexible learning environments. With a goal of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), they know accessibility is a primary factor that needs to be available. We spoke with Luis Perez, a Technical Assistant Specialist at CAST, and he describes accessibility as, “the welcome mat of UDL. It is the first steps to creating a full UDL environment.” He further explained to us, “You need to be able to interact with the environment, receive the information, respond and if we don’t take care of those accessibility requirements upfront, it makes it that much more difficult for students to have access to higher learning skills.” Gaining access to learning tools like this is a life changer!Programs and Resources
AEM at CAST provides a multitude of resources to help individuals of all ages and abilities learn and develop necessary skills needed for furthering education, as well as workforce development. For people unfamiliar with AEM’s, regardless of age or need, they provide a collection of frequently asked questions and need to know information on their Quick Starts website. They also provide a free online course, open to everyone. The course consists of 5 sections, listed below:- Introduction to Accessible Educational Materials and Technologies
- How to Make your Documents Accessible
- How to Locate Captioned Videos and Make your Own
- How to Find Specialized Formats of Print Materials
- How to Select Accessible Digital Materials
Dreamscape Works With Louisiana Elementary School To Create A Sensory Room
Dreamscape Works With Louisiana Elementary School To Create A Sensory Room
For many, the first years of school can be a frightening time. Not knowing other students or leaving your parents for hours on end can be hard for any child, especially when living with a disability. The caring and dedicated faculty at Whispering Forest Elementary in Slidell, Louisiana, are well aware of this fact and on a mission to help make school a fun and happy experience for every student. But with over 560 students both abled and disabled, how can they expect to handle every situation when all their needs are different? Even students with the same disability react different. Some, when frightened or upset, can be soothed by calm music. Others may react better to playing with soft, sensory friendly objects or toys. Students with a visual impairment may have a sensitivity to light and need a dimly lit area. Well, what if there was a private classroom that could accommodate all of these needs and more?