John Kabashinski

Director, Communications & Marketing

John is an award-winning creative with 25 years of experience developing brands across multiple communication and marketing channels. He has worked for CBS, The WB Network, MTV, A&E, and CNN and now focuses on brand storytelling and impact marketing for non-profits. John has 360-degree hands-on skills in writing, camera, production, editorial, and design and works hard to connect with an audience on a deeper level. In addition, he is passionate about changing the world by raising awareness to create a new reality.

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Commitment

Parents need to commit to model and reinforce to their children the core values and character strengths that mean the most to them. They also need to be creative and offer meaningful experiences that illuminate how important these character strengths are to the family’s core values.

Conversations

We know “We need to talk” freaks kids out, but too often parents avoid having conversations about character, especially as children get older. While it may not be easy to talk sometimes, we know from the research that parents who avoid talking to their children about serious matters quickly lose trust and connection.

Celebration

Parents need to find ways for their children to be active participants in their own character growth. Optimal character development occurs when children begin to make self-motivated commitments to consistently practice a core value (e.g. “I want to be the kind of person who is always honest and shows up on time.”) Parents need to celebrate these moments to shape and define individual character.