C-O-W stands for Changing Our World.  The Mission of the COW PROJECT is to be a resource for teens to experience that we make a difference, through our creative self-expression (theatre, dance, music, spoken word, film art, etc.), in making the world a better place for all.  Through service-oriented arts projects created by young people, for young people and about young people, COW Project members practice leadership, teamwork, compassion and contribution.  We address issues that concern us, but are often pushed aside –  topics such as bullying, tolerance, school, relationships, family, substance abuse, sex, teasing, depression, suicide, stress, and global issues such as peace, poverty, the environment.  We have a diverse membership, uniting students from all spectrums of socio-economic, academic, and cultural backgrounds.  
In a world where young people are often considered to be ‘trouble’ and are rarely taken seriously until we become employed adult citizens, our society tends to overlook the valuable contribution that we are and can be. In the COW Project, we get our voices heard and experience that we DO have the power to change our world!   

DOCUMENTARY about The COW Project,
produced by Michael Licisyn / Mixed Nuts Productions

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY:

While the COW PROJECT began as an outgrowth of the Teen Alliance Main Events Program, sponsored through the Mayor’s Office of Washington Township, and intended to be a one-time event, it has continued to grow and take on a ‘life of its own.’ Now in the process of receiving 501 (c) (3) non-profit status, the COW Project will soon be able to receive tax-deductible donations and grants, and is open to all sources of funding.
There is no ‘expertise’ required to participate with COW…simply the desire and motivation to create and contribute. All are welcome – students, teachers, parents, sponsors, youth advocates, etc.

Students learn to extend compassion, support, understanding, teamwork, forgiveness, and friendship through the intensive process that goes on during the creation and collaboration of group projects. The possibility of creating safe havens, opportunities for productive contribution, and developing healthy relationships and activities for teens in a world that typically overlooks the value of teenagers (until it is ‘too late’ or they ‘outgrow it’) – is a possibility that we adults, parents and citizens cannot afford to ignore.  Our communities are hungry for these kinds of support systems.  With the leadership of Eileen Lucarini, Deb Chamberlin and Margie Glick, and with adequate funding and team alliance, the COW PROJECT can be a source for transformation in our own community and beyond, touching the lives of countless young people and families, and taking us all into a future given by vision, possibility and collaboration.

IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE COW PROJECT...
CALL OR EMAIL
Deb Chamberlin, Co-Executive Director at debchamberlin@comcast.net  / 856.435.6374
Eileen Lucarini, Co-Executive Director elucarini@wtps.org
Margie Glick, Chair msg57@comcast.net

 

COW History

Since the birth of the COW Project in October 2003, we have written and performed more than 6 original shows/events, depicting how it feels to be a teenager in today's complicated world.... the daily stresses and emotions and pulls in a young person's life which, left undistinguished, can feed conditions like depression, substance abuse, bullying & intolerance. Using our combined creative talents, we collaborate to compose original performance events, incorporating scenes, dance, music, art, film and spoken word.  
Our most recent performance events in 2007 have included: the “NJ Unites Against Hate” Summit at the State House in Trenton on April 19, sponsored by the NJ Attorney General’s Office, NJ Human Relations Council, NJ Amistad Commission, Anti-Defamation League, & NJ Holocaust Commission;  Key-Note Performance for over 1,400 high school students at the “Monmouth County Day of Tolerance” student summit on Oct. 19 at Brookdale College in Lincroft, NJ; the New Jersey Human Relations Council’s annual conference & awards banquet, held at Mercer County College on Nov. 1, for H.R. Commissioners from all over NJ.

*AWARDS & HONORS: South Jersey Courier-Post’s “Champions of Diversity” Awards; “Humanitarian Award” from GloucesterCounty Human Relations Commission; “Best Music Video” in the 2007 DelawareValley Film Festival (for “We Can Change Our World”)

*COW PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN AIRED ON:  WashingtonTownship’s cable access channel (Comcast WT-13), and BrookdaleCommunity College’s educational access channel, serviced by Comcast Cablevision in Monmouth County, NJ;

*COW HAS PERFORMED FOR:  school and public audiences, the Wash. Twp. Board of Education, teachers in service workshops, county and state Human Relations Commissions events, student summits, awards ceremonies, multi-cultural events, opening ceremony for the 24-hour Cancer Walk; in such venues as: Commerce Bank Arts Center (Wash. Twp., NJ), The National Constitution Center (Phila.), Collins Arena (Lincroft, NJ), the State House in Trenton, NJ; Washington Lake Park Amphi-Theatre;

*FILM PROJECTS include: a COW Documentary - produced by Michael DiMattesa, 2005; Music Video for “We Can Change Our World” & short COW Documentary – both produced by Michael Licisyn & Mixed Nuts Productions, 2007

*SONG PROJECTS include: “We Can Change Our World” – written by COW advisors Deb Chamberlin/Eileen Lucarini/Todd Oberholtzer, produced by Robert Wynn, featuring recording artist J-Re and members of the COW Project; “The Time Has Come” (anthem for global tolerance) – written by Deb Chamberlin & Robert Wynn, produced by Robert Wynn, featuring Phila. Recording artists Phil Roy, Mutlu, John Francis, Melody Gardot, Chinua Hawk, Jim Boggia, Lauren Hart, Caryn Lin, Deb Chamberlin, John Ferenzik, Robert Wynn, and members of the COW Project;

*TV & RADIO APPEARANCES:  with Heather Shanley, former host of “A Community Affair” on RowanUniversity’s WGLS-FM Radio; live appearance (together with the Peace Child Israel delegation) on Philadelphia’s local morning NBC-10 “10!” Show, performing “The Time Has Come” anthem;

*SPECIAL PROJECTS: Hosted a delegation of Arab-Israeli & Jewish-Israeli teens from Peace Child Israel, for performances, workshops & events, during their 10-day U.S. Cultural Exchange Tour in January 2006; Lead panel rooms at 2 Gloucester County Teen Summits at Rowan University, receiving top ratings by participants; Ran a booth & performed at Washington Township’s ‘Unity Day’ Festivities in May 2006;   Collected “Dollar$ for Darfur” for the Save Darfur Coalition;

The COW PROJECT would like to thank Mrs. Rosemarie Farrow, Principal of WashingtonTownshipHigh School, for her ongoing support.

Testimonials:

From the first COW PROJECT, which had its debut performance in May 2004, we had remarkable feedback. Below are only three examples of the impact of the COW Project, not only on the participants themselves, but in their families and lives.

1)     One of the COW members, who is a “super achiever” was very active in producing the project. She shared w/one of the COW advisors afterward that her father typically used to complain to her if an after-school activity took more than an hour or two of her time each week. He preferred her to focus solely on her schoolwork. After attending the show, he told his daughter that he could see why it took so much of her time, and that she had done a great job. This was a drastic shift in how a parent views a child, and gave access to deeper levels of relationship and communication for them both. He went on to support her college choice, where he had previously been encouraging her to attend a different college.

2)     One of the mothers of a COW member commented that she was deeply moved by the show. She worked at a local university, and had 2 high school children of her own. She said she liked to spend a lot of time with her children, but always felt conflicted that she ‘should’ be doing more work for her job. After seeing the COW show, she commented that she could see she is doing the absolute right thing by being with her children, and now had the freedom to relax about her job.  This has obvious impact in the family relationships, and the modeling of priorities in the home life.

3)     One of the COW members, an ‘at-risk’ student in a single parent home, had been struggling in school.  After participating in the first COW Project, one of his teachers commented that his grades had improved drastically. In addition, this student has been inspired to continue on in the Project and has taken interest in developing his writing and performing skills. COW provides him an ongoing choice for a healthy and powerful life, at a time when his peers might be opting for more at-risk behaviors.