End-of-Year Report, Plans for 2016, and 4 Simple Ways You Can Help

Dear friends of Learning Life,

I founded Learning Life in 2012 to spread learning in everyday life.  Since I founded Learning Life with the help of advisors, volunteers, interns and donors like you, together we have:

1) Conducted Three Innovative Pilot Projects and…

We conducted three innovative projects: (a) with Washington D.C.’s Newseum using a combination of street theater and 10,000 napkins distributed in DC eateries to inform residents and visitors of President John F. Kennedy’s legacy, and (b) the City of Alexandria, Virginia using “buy local, learn local” wallet cards and tote bags as well as (c) fortune cookies to engage people in learning about local history.  (You can learn more about these projects here.)

An exciting new project is in development that will lead Learning Life in an international direction. Stay tuned for more on this initiative!

2) Expanded Our Free Educational Content

In the past year, we have added ten new quizzes for a current total of 65 quizzes at our website.  New quizzes this year include World War I History, U.S. Elections 101, Introduction to Islam, U.S. Geography 101, quizzes on leading killers (cancer, stroke and suicide), and more.

We have expanded our “five facts” series on current issues to include Africa’s population explosion, international migration, money in American politics, U.S. mass shootings, and more.  We have also grown to 99 the number of infographics on our Pinterest page.

Stay tuned for additions to our big questions series with expert answers to questions about happiness and career success upcoming!

3) Developed Signia Surfaces

Signia Surfaces logoWe developed Signia Surfaces, a partner social enterprise that uses coasters and napkins to inform area residents and promote local nonprofits and artists in metro Washington D.C.  In 2015, Signia Surfaces established its own website, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin pages, partnerships with several local artists and nonprofits, a growing network of D.C. eateries through which its surfaces can be distributed, and a first client in the D.C. Health Exchange, which connects D.C. residents to affordable health insurance.

Our Plans for 2016 & How You Can Help

In 2016, Learning Life will begin building a Citizen Diplomacy Initiative as we continue expanding our library of quizzes, facts, and big questions on topics of public importance.  In turn, Signia Surfaces, will continue to develop local partnerships to inform and engage more residents in metro D.C.

 

I Like Learning LifeAs we move into 2016, here are four simple ways you can help:

1)  Invite your Facebook friends to like Learning Life.  Click on our Facebook page, and from there you can invite any friends you feel will be interested.  Also, if you don’t already, please follow us on Twitter, Linkedin and/or Pinterest.

2) Donate to Learning Life.  Learning Life relies largely on sponsors and individual donors.  Your donation helps Learning Life produce and spread our free educational content, and pursue creative projects like our upcoming placemat education in D.C. eateries.  Please consider becoming a sustainer: sustainers help us develop a more regular base of funding by giving a tax-deductible amount (e.g., $5, $10, $25, $50, $100) monthly that’s automatically deducted from your credit card or checking account.

3) Shop through iGive.com, and help fund Learning Life free. Shop more than 1,400 stores through iGive, and if you make Learning Life your preferred charity, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Learning Life at no cost to you.

4) Buying or selling real estate?  Use a Referral Project realtor.  Through the Referral Project, realtors agree to donate 50% of their commission to the Project, and the Project then donates half of their proceeds to whatever nonprofit you choose (and we hope you choose Learning Life!) at no cost to you.  From one Referral Project donation this year, Learning Life received $1,100.

Thank you for your support!  Stay tuned to news from Learning Life via our Facebook page and occasional email dispatches.  

Paul Lachelier, Ph.D.
Founder, Learning Life