Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    With newest AI voice options, WellSaid Labs bets on a extra cautious method in a buzzy trade

    October 20, 2025

    AWS outage was not attributable to a cyberattack — however exhibits potential for ‘far worse’ injury

    October 20, 2025

    First-in-the-nation merger regulation provides new compliance step for corporations in Washington state

    October 20, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Robert H Clark
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Homepage
    • Travel
    • Real Estate
    • Lifestyle
      • Beauty
      • Fashion
    • Technology
    • Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Latest
    Robert H Clark
    Home » Include Everyone Project hosts Women’s Day fundraiser 
    Include Everyone Project hosts Women’s Day fundraiser 
    Pets

    Include Everyone Project hosts Women’s Day fundraiser 

    Benjamin ClarkeBy Benjamin ClarkeJuly 24, 2025No Comments5 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Reddit Telegram Pinterest Email

    Kiran Dong fell in love with theater and the performing arts at a young age.  

    To help nurture that passion, he participated in summer camps that would help with his stage presence and skills, but quickly found out it was a bit harder for him than other children.  

    “It was challenging keeping his attention with all the rigorous rehearsals that they have to do as they start to get closer to showtime, so he got cut,” said Rodney Dong, Kiran’s father. “They weren’t capable of having someone there to support him. I felt like he could probably handle that if he did have the right support.”  

    In order to see his son thrive in something he loved so much, along with other children like him, Rodney, Kristen DeBenedetto and Kate White founded The Include Everyone Project, a local nonprofit aimed to support individuals on the autism spectrum and who have other developmental disabilities. Dong serves as the nonprofit’s board president and music director. 

    The Include Everyone Project offers activities such as dance and movement, music, and improvisational theater serving approximately 30 to 40 students in the spring and fall sessions and 40 students for their annual summer camps, which is the most popular program, said executive director and dance instructor DeBenedetto.  

    Closing their summer camp, recipients of the program develop a one-act original musical theater production and perform in front of a live audience. Last year’s theme was dinosaurs, pirates and unicorns, DeBenedetto added.  

    On Saturday, in collaboration with Apola Greek Grill, the local nonprofit was raising funds for scholarships to support families in need for the fall and spring programs while simultaneously celebrating Women’s International Day.  

    For DeBenedetto, the hardest thing for her in a leadership role is delegation, and “how do you let go of things and let your peers support you? As women, we tend to want to do it all,” she said. “It’s always challenging as women to be heard or taken a little bit seriously. The thing that’s beautiful, our community has been really supportive.”  

    According to DeBenedetto, eight out of 11 board members of The Include Everyone Project are women.  

    “Being a woman hasn’t been a disadvantage in that, because we’re more motherly and caretakers,” and she feels very embraced by her fellow female colleagues, she said. “It’s the best gift ever. I feel like in a world that’s very topsy-turvy, I get to make a difference in my community and actually see a positive change.”  

    In attendance during the fundraiser were board members Christine Mugnolo and treasurer Neil Fitzgerald, supporting the organization as they spent their time listening to Kiran play a Latin American style drum called the Tubano.  

    Both Mugnolo and Fitzgerald came across the local nonprofit on their own separate accounts but truly believe in the mission of providing a safe space for children with disabilities.  

    Include Everyone Project hosts Women’s Day fundraiser 
    Rodney Dong (left) and his son Kiran Dong drum during The Include Everyone Porject Women’s International Day Fundraiser on March 8, 2025 in Valencia, Calif. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

    Witnessing the programs achieve the mission “makes me think about art differently and how it can be a way of healing, getting to know yourself, communicating, and sometimes communicating very strongly, when other forms of communication are tougher,” said Mugnolo.  

    “It’s hard being a kid, you get isolated,” Fitzgerald said. “Being part of the group where you can see that these kids, they’re not the only ones, and that there’s other kids like them as well, and that they can build friendship groups, and that they can be treated as an individual,” he added.  

    Mugnolo praised DeBennedetto’s dedication and strength toward her nonprofit work while balancing other areas of her life.  

    “Sometimes there’s not instant recognition or success, and watching her persevere through that has been really inspiring,”  

    Fitzgerald said men should always be aware of how they speak of their peers.  

    “A man can be called ambitious, a woman can be called pushy. It’s the use of language. I think it’s really important that women are given equal chances to be leaders, and that when you have a woman leader as well, that you support them and you empower them, and you don’t use that sort of language.”  

    With the help of a collective of board members and community support, Kiran and many others of the nonprofit’s recipients learn to gain confidence.  

    “You know he struggles a lot with speech like that, it’s hard for him sometimes, yet you can see his emotions like he wants to be out there and communicate something with the audience,” while on stage, Rodney said. “This has given him an opportunity to gain confidence. We try to craft a part for him that he can manage and he can rehearse and practice it.”  

    Kiran’s performance skills have improved to a point where he was the lead in last year’s summer camp.  

    “I think he enjoys giving back to other kids that he says are similar to him,” Rodney added. “He likes that idea of, there’s some other kids that have something unique about them, like me and want to do what I can to help them enjoy the arts.” 

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleHypnotherapy for Cocaine Addiction: A Mindful Path to Recovery
    Next Article Jujutsu Kaisen Manga Online: Full Guide for New Readers
    Benjamin Clarke

    Related Posts

    Photos: ‘Bringing it Home’ Fundraiser

    July 24, 2025

    Photos: CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive

    July 24, 2025

    Placerita Canyon Nature Center Holiday Craft Fair  

    July 24, 2025

    West Ranch Cross Country hosts inaugural 5k Run and Walk fundraiser  

    July 24, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Recent Posts

    • With newest AI voice options, WellSaid Labs bets on a extra cautious method in a buzzy trade
    • AWS outage was not attributable to a cyberattack — however exhibits potential for ‘far worse’ injury
    • First-in-the-nation merger regulation provides new compliance step for corporations in Washington state
    • AWS outage hits main apps and companies, resurfacing previous questions on cloud redundancy
    • Week in Overview: Hottest tales on GeekWire for the week of Oct. 12, 2025

    Recent Comments

    No comments to show.

    Archives

    • October 2025
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • March 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • March 2020
    • January 2020

    Categories

    • Beauty
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Featured
    • Featured Videos
    • Finance
    • Fitness
    • Fitness Updates
    • Health
    • Health
    • Home Services
    • Hotels
    • Insurance
    • Latest
    • Legal
    • Lifestyle
    • Logistics
    • New Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Pets
    • Real Estate
    • Restaurants
    • Selected
    • Technology
    • Top Programs
    • Travel
    • Workouts
    • Writing
    Demo
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss

    With newest AI voice options, WellSaid Labs bets on a extra cautious method in a buzzy trade

    By Benjamin ClarkeOctober 20, 2025

    (WellSaid Picture) AI voice startup WellSaid Labs is doubling down on its area of interest…

    AWS outage was not attributable to a cyberattack — however exhibits potential for ‘far worse’ injury

    October 20, 2025

    First-in-the-nation merger regulation provides new compliance step for corporations in Washington state

    October 20, 2025

    AWS outage hits main apps and companies, resurfacing previous questions on cloud redundancy

    October 20, 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

    Robert H Clark
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Health
    • Workouts
    • Get In Touch
    © 2025. All Rights Reserved by robertHclark.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.