About Us
Mission statement:
To Shine The Light on all aspects of kids health in America, to offer advice and assistance so as to allow our kids to reach their full potential.
Vision:
The purpose of this first project will be to ascertain the real world lives of American kids and their families so as to know how to proceed with teaching modules and educational information in the future. Long-term goals will be to create a program of Kids Teaching Kids so the information can expand exponentially. This will be done through downloadable educational material and instructional videos. Long-term goals include a culinary and nutrition training program for kids and the adults who work with them.
The Shine The Light Team
Patty James
Founder, President
Passionate about the art and
science of cooking and natural health, Patty teaches nutrition in plain
language, inspiring students through her dynamic style. She consults with
schools, home health care agencies, and a Canadian Spa, among other businesses
and organizations; developing wellness programs, recipes and menus. Patty is a
regular speaker at The Clinton Foundation in Harlem, New York, at the Boy’s and
Girl’s Club in New Orleans and for other organizations around the country. She
is the co-chair of The Health and Medicine Committee at The Commonwealth Club in
San Francisco.
Patty James earned her Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition and is a Certified Natural Chef. She is the founder of The Patty James Cooking School & Nutrition Center, the only certified organic cooking school in the United States. During the Spring of 2008, Patty closed the school in favor of dedicating her time and expertise to nutrition education through consultations, cooking classes and speaking engagements. She created a superb teaching aid known as the Patty James Health Guide, her well-received guide to obtaining or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Patty's nutrition/cookbook, co written with Dr. Elson Haas, entitled ‘More Vegetables, Please,’ will be published and available in November 2009.
Patty is thrilled to begin this project and knows in her heart that ‘Shine The Light On America’s Kids’ will positively affect many kids across the country.
Olivia Trujillo
Vice President, Project Director
Olivia earned her degree in
Product Development from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in
San Francisco. Shortly after graduation, she began her career in New York City
working as an executive assistant to the owner and president of a multimillion
dollar licensing company. While living in NYC Olivia also dedicated many hours
of her time to chaperoning field trips, teaching dance lessons, and doing in
class storytelling for a non-profit children's organization that worked with
inner city kids. From there she became the Director of Operations for an
international fashion house based in Paris. Olivia became the mother of her
first child, Brealyn Rose. Olivia now stays home caring for her daughter, with
the help of her husband, David. She looks forward to being involved with a
children's non-profit again, and putting her extensive business skills toward
her passion, our children.
Kathryn Camilleri
Secretary, Assistant Treasurer
Kathryn is a sophomore in college with English as her major
and Philosophy as her minor. She is currently writing a children’s book. She is
an exceptional writer and is detail oriented with a profound interest in kids
and their health. The combination of these attributes will allow Kathryn to put
her talents to good use, combining writing, organizational skills and health.
Russell Camilleri
Chief Financial Officer
Russell is a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy,
graduated with honors and is the proud recipient of service award awarded at his
recent graduation. He attended and continues to attend college with his sites on
becoming a doctor. He is an exceptional athlete and is very health oriented.
Russell is and always has been exceptionally financially responsible and looks
forward to his involvement with Shine The Light On America’s Kids.
Patch and Wilma
Patty’s traveling companions
Patch and Wilma will be my traveling companions this next
year. They are my good friends and I have learned a lot from them. They let go
of the inconsequential and enjoy the day. Great advice!
Patch is almost 13 years old and is simply the best running
dog ever. He runs right along my right side and never pulls on the leash. Even
now he runs with me but for not as long a distance. At Dillon Beach where they
don’t have to be on leashes, I run ankle deep in the water and he runs about 30’
from me on the dry sand. He never changes his pace and you would think he was on
a leash. People actually stop and watch him run by, never distracted by dogs and
people. He is very regal looking.
Wilma is a different story. She is a year and a half old and is half Lab and half Weimeriner. She is without a doubt the sweetest dog ever! She is easily distracted; she stops to play with other dogs and especially kids, chases the shadows of birds and all in all, makes me laugh! She is constantly on the move until nighttime, when just like a little kid, falls sound asleep.
They are both very good watchdogs and company and will soon be two of most likely only a handful of dogs that get to experience 48 states! They won’t be joining be on the Alaskan trip or the Hawaiian trip.
Patch and Wilma are excited about their involvement in Shine and Light on America’s Kids and look forward to being public liaisons and well as the security team.
Clare A. Schuett-Hall
Student Advisory Board
My name is Clare A. Schuett-Hall, and I am an 8th grade student attending Reach Charter school in Sebastopol, California. My interest in Shine the Light on America's Kids is mainly that I want to help improve the health of my and future generations. I agree with founder Patty James that by building the awareness of healthy eating and exercise in young people of today, we can influence the youth of tomorrow. I believe that the best way of assessing what has to be done to improve the current health of kids across the nation is to ask them them about habits that affect their health, and how those might be changed for the better. That's why I support this mission. I know that the people behind it will do whatever they can to help the children of our generation. Or, so to speak, to Shine the light on America's Kids.
Victoria Perrault
Advisory Board Member
Victoria Perrault is the founder of Inspiring Clarity, a coaching, advocacy and education service for special needs families and professionals. Prior to founding Inspiring Clarity Victoria held executive human resource positions at Aegon, Insurance, Advanced Fibre Communications and Tellabs. She has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Victoria is an avid supporter of the mission of Shine the Light on America's Kids. She resides in Naperville, IL with her daughter with special needs and has four adult children living in California and Texas.
Nancy Lazark
Advisory Board Member
Nancy has lived and worked in Sonoma County for over 35 years. She is an accomplished business woman with affiliations to many professional associations. She has been active with children all of her life with her own three and now five grandchildren. She has taught horseback riding to children and been active in organizing horse shows for kids. She has been part of a mentoring program for high school children and been or the board of directors for Social Advocates For Youth. Nancy is very excited to be a part of Shine the Light on America’s Kids.
