May Spotlight Shines on Yes Kidz Can by Lisa Novick and Julie Chapman

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to really make a difference? Well, for moms Julie Chapman and Lisa Novick, it's been a fast sixteen months.

These two moms have been involved with philanthropy for along time, and when they launched Yes Kidz Can! in January 2010, they focused all that experience on one purpose: to encourage kids, their families, and their schools to bring giving experiences to their lives.

“We call a ‘giving experience’ any teachable, memorable, or enjoyable moment that reinforces the value of giving back for parents and kids,” say co-founders Julie Chapman and Lisa Novick. (press release)

Keep reading to learn more about Lisa, Julie, and their self-described do-good company founded on the idea that kids can change the world, one act at a time.


MCA: Congratulations on your award and welcome to the spotlight Julie and Lisa! Can you please tell us about what motivated you to create YesKidzCan!, your philanthropy product for kids?
Julie: We have worked in the philanthropy arena for more than 20 years.  In the 1990s, we had one of the first consulting firms that taught corporations the value of giving back to communities and helped nonprofits be more effective in fulfilling their missions. When we had children, we realized how challenging it was for families to make time for community service amidst all their responsibilities. YesKidzCan! was launched out of our desire to take the knowledge that 20 years gave us to help those who raise and work with kids to see that there are easy, convenient, and fun ways to fit charitable giving into kids' lives.

MCA: Now that you have an award-winning product, what are your goals for the next year?
Lisa: Our goal is to continue to develop the next generation of community service leaders, energize a kid-led movement of talent, dedication, and innovation in the area of social change, and successfully grow our enterprise. We also want to continue to develop new products and services that will motivate our key constituents with unique and innovative approaches. In particular, we are focused on expanding our Social KidPreneurz Awards Program (www.yeskidzcan.socialkidpreneurzaward.html) where we plan to reach even more kids in grades 3 to 6 to undertake a business-like activity to earn money to donate to a cause. In this way, we are investing in all that kids can do and showing them that they can use their imagination and creativity to change our world.

MCA: Please name three ways your Mom's Choice Award® will help you attain your goals.
Julie: YesKidzCan! is a small enterprise with big aspirations. As entrepreneurs, we have to rely on our own intuition as well as take leaps of faith. Receiving the Mom's Choice Award® not only validates what we are building but also gives us a boost of energy to stay the course.  In addition, because we are an online company, we have to compete in a world of Internet clutter. The MCA is a way to help distinguish us as a resource that has been vetted and deemed valuable by a respected panel and organization.

MCA: Can you share with us what you learned about yourself as an artist/writer/entrepreneur in creating your award-winning product?
Lisa: As entrepreneurs, we have learned how important it is to be patient -- to give new products and ideas time to percolate and reach new audiences. We have learned to feel more comfortable with failure as a route to achieve success and with calculated risk taking. We also need to to make time to celebrate the little victories and have fun! Finally, as with any entrepreneurial venture, we continually reevaluate and modify our efforts and existing resources.

MCA: Since launching YesKidzCan! what has been your most rewarding experience in promoting or sharing it with the public? Do you have a favorite memory? 
Julie: As a social entrepreneurial company, we have chosen to dedicate our business to bettering the world and have made the commitment to donate 100% of our net profits to children's causes.  One of our most rewarding experiences was when we fulfilled this commitment by awarding our first grant within our first 12 months of operation. We presented $5,000 to our 2010 beneficiary, Birthday Wishes, a nonprofit that brings birthday parties to children in homeless shelters. This grant allows more than 700 kids in homeless shelters to experience the joy of birthday parties that they otherwise would not have experienced.

One of our favorite memories since launching is the impact running our own company has had on our children.  Not only has it been valuable to be able to structure our work life so that we can be available as moms, but it has also been rewarding to our kids to witness what we have created. Lisa's daughter (age 10) asked if she could write a blog for our website on the community service project she participates in at school to help feed hungry kids.  My sons (ages 9 and 7) regularly ask to help kid test our new community service project kits with their friends so they can give their input on what does and doesn't work and because it is fun.

MCA: As a new honoree, do you have any questions you'd like some of the "old hands" to answer for you?
Lisa: As an online resource, we are always interested in finding effective ways to engage more followers and build new partnerships.  One question we have is what are some of the most productive approaches you have used to maximize your opportunity as an MCA distinguished honoree?

Mom's Choice Awards® Honors

Product name:  YesKidzCan
"Changing the world is our business."

2011 - Silver
Online Resources



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Contact, Connect and Network with Lisa and Julie



The Alumni Spotlight is a periodic feature on the official Mom’s Choice Awards® blog. It is part of our ongoing effort to “shine the spotlight” on you and your award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.