Just Like You Films, Inc.

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Prairie Village, KS
Just Like You Films, Inc.

A nonprofit production company creating a kinder world through the power of film. and worldwide.

Just Like You Films is a nonprofit film company that offers a powerful tool in the fight against bullying. We develop films and materials that educate the local and global communities on how to communicate about difficult subjects, such as childhood cancer, burns, Down syndrome, and autism. JLY Films captures real life stories that teach children how we are more alike than we are different. JLY fi

lms have been viewed over 250,00 times on Youtube in 117 countries and are distributed across the U.S. Recently, the Brazilian government authorized a program where JLY - Down Syndrome will be played in every state health care facility in their country servicing 94 million people. We partner with national organizations like the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the National Down Syndrome Society, the Down Syndrome Guild and the Autism Society. In 2013, the United Nations presented our Down Syndrome film to its members in a general session. And, we were honored to receive the 2013 TASH Positive Images in the Media Award, the 2014 NDSC Education Award, The 2014 Kansas City Jewish Film Festival Trailblazer Award, the AMC Cares Award and we were nominated in four categories and won The 2014 Golden Door International Film Festival Raising Awareness Award. In October 2014, with the help of our public television partner, KCPT, we will launch our films on Learn 360, an educational video subscription platform reaching 8 million kids in 25,000 schools in the United States and Canada.

08/14/2025

🌟 Mandi Kearns – JLYFilms’ New COO!
We’re thrilled to announce that Mandi has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer as part of Just Like You Films’ exciting new leadership structure.
Mandi’s journey with JLYF began as a passionate food allergy advocate, inspired by her son Giles’ experience living with life-threatening allergies. Her dedication led her to collaborate on our upcoming films in the May Contain Collection, shedding light on powerful, real-life stories.
With a background in advocacy, production, and nonprofit leadership, Mandi brings heart, vision, and action to everything she does. As COO, she’ll help lead JLYF into our next chapter—expanding our impact, reaching more audiences, and continuing to spark compassion through film.

Join us in congratulating Mandi on her well-deserved promotion! 🎉

08/06/2025

🎤 Jen is presenting!

Join us for a virtual learning event this Friday, August 8th, designed for school nurses and clinicians. Jen will share how storytelling and film can support student health and inclusion in powerful ways.
Get real-world tools, expert insights, and a boost of inspiration—just in time for the new school year!
💻 Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and grow from anywhere. Register today using the link in bio!

07/31/2025

⛳️ A swing for something bigger than golf… 💛

Our 2nd annual Matthew Bloskey Memorial Golf tournament was a beautiful day of community, compassion, and purpose—all in support of our upcoming film about grief.

From stunning shots on the course to heartfelt moments off it, this event was one to remember. A special thanks to Jen for sharing an inspiring update on the film’s progress—her words reminded us why this work matters so deeply.

To everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered, or simply showed up—thank you. Because of you, we’re one step closer to bringing this powerful film into schools and communities across the country.

07/29/2025

✨ Thank you truly for showing up.

Not just to this workshop, but for showing up every day in the lives of others. In your work, your community, and in the way you care. 💛

Today, we sparked the Empathy Engine together.
We listened to real stories, honest, courageous, and often misunderstood.
We reflected on the lessons they offered and how they apply to the way we live and work.
And we committed to turning that empathy into action in our relationships, our communities, and our leadership.

And I hope you walk away not just inspired, but with a renewed sense of purpose.

At Just Like You Films, we believe that when we choose to walk beside one another with empathy and intention we move closer to our mission:

To create a kinder, more compassionate world through the power of storytelling.

Thank you for walking beside us today.

and and

07/26/2025

🎉 19 Years of Just Like You Films! 🎬💛

For nearly two decades, we've been telling stories that help kids feel seen, understood, and included. From classrooms to living rooms, our films have sparked conversations, built empathy, and reminded young people they're not alone.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way—from our incredible film families to our donors, partners, and viewers. Here’s to 19 years of compassion through storytelling—and the many more to come!

07/25/2025

🎭 Congrats to Stage Right Performing Arts on a fantastic summer season!

Stage Right has created a remarkable environment where talented young people can thrive. We’re honored to call them partners and are so grateful for their role in helping raise awareness about our mission with over 7,000 audience members through their summer programming.

We’re also proud to have their Executive Director, Scott West, serve on our Board of Directors. His leadership—and his wife’s creative vision—are at the heart of Stage Right’s impact. As a licensed therapist passionate about mental health and the arts, Scott recently spoke to our Youth Advisory Board about the connection between theater and filmmaking—an inspiring and memorable experience for all.

Their performers brought so much heart and brilliance to our first feature narrative film, Rise and Shine.

When you donate to Just Like You Films, you’re not just supporting powerful, empathy-building storytelling—you’re helping young artists channel their gifts into lasting, meaningful change.

🎬 Donate at the link to be part of this impact
https://www.justlikeyoufilms.org/donate

07/24/2025

🎤 Supporter Spotlight: Meet a Just Like You Films Champion Jamie Copaken 🎬
Get to know one of our incredible board members, whose story is as inspiring as our mission. 👇
Q: What’s one fun fact that people might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I’ve been on TV—in S*x & the City three times (as an extra)!
Q: What was your dream job as a kid?
A: I wanted to work in advertising—maybe after watching the movie Big. And I actually did it, in the very office where the movie was filmed. No toys, trampolines, or sleepovers though.
Q: What’s your go-to song when you need a mood boost?
A: Anything musical theater, although it’s usually a mood change, not necessarily a boost.
Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
A: Sleeping in late, having no commitments, and going out to dinner.
Q: What inspired you to get involved with Just Like You Films?
A: I got interested after attending some fun costume-themed parties and meeting the amazing people involved. As a therapist, I saw the powerful ways JLYF builds empathy and understanding through storytelling.
Q: What's been your favorite JLYF film or moment so far?
A: Standing on stage at the Midland Theatre and addressing the crowd who came to support JLYF. That moment was unforgettable.
Q: What’s one hope you have for the future of JLYF?
A: To get all of the films into schools and mainstream theaters.
Q: If you could tell every kid watching our films one thing, what would it be?
A: Be open. You will learn things you didn’t know existed—in yourself and in others.
Q: What kind of impact do you believe JLYF can have in the next 5–10 years?
A: Too many people focus only on our differences. I hope the films remind us how similar we really are, to look for our interconnections, and to choose compassion.
Q: How has being part of the board changed your perspective?
A: It reminds me how hard it is for some people to take the good that’s right in front of them—literally, to take the films and watch them! It’s deepened my appreciation for the importance of showing up and making compassion accessible.

07/23/2025

💙 A huge thank you to for their generous grant to Just Like You Films! Your support has been a game-changer for our fundraising efforts—helping us amplify real stories, spark compassion, and create lasting impact through film.

This grant doesn’t just fuel our mission today—it paves the way for future growth, outreach, and inclusion. With your partnership, we’re reaching more hearts, more classrooms, and more communities.

From all of us at JLYF: thank you for believing in the power of storytelling. 🎬💛

07/21/2025

🎬And that’s a wrap on Betsy Lindsey’s remarkable tenure as Executive Director of Just Like You Films. 💫

We are deeply grateful to Betsy for eight years of vision, commitment, and leadership in helping evolve JLYF from a scrappy, project-by-project, volunteer-powered nonprofit into a thriving, sustainable organization—with the infrastructure, full-time team, and resources to carry its always mission-driven work forward for years to come.

In Betsy’s own words:

“My time with Just Like You Films has been nothing short of extraordinary. From transitioning from a contractor-based organization to an employee-led one… to securing some of the largest grants in our history, elevating the board, contributing to production, distribution, and more—these experiences have been deeply fulfilling. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished together.”

Betsy now steps into an exciting new role as Director of Investor Relations at Peak Real Estate Partners, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for her.

Just Like You Films is ready for its next act—what we proudly call “Just Like You Films 2.0”—and we are standing on a stronger foundation because of her.

Thank you, Betsy, for everything you’ve done to help this mission grow, thrive, and endure. ❤️🎥

07/18/2025

💡 Q&A: Get to Know Board Member Dan Fromm
Q: What’s one fun fact that people might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I just started learning to play acoustic guitar.

Q: What was your dream job as a kid?
A: Filmmaker or sportscaster.

Q: What’s your go-to song when you need a mood boost?
A: Denial is a River by Doechii.

Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
A: With family and friends relaxing near some water — river, lake, pool, whatever.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with Just Like You Films (JLYF)?
A: I’ve always loved movies and believe in their immense power to shape culture. And Jen’s passion is contagious! It was easy to get involved after hearing her story and vision.

Q: Why does the mission of JLYF matter to you personally?
A: Growing up in an “always on” social and digital world is tough on kids. I’ve seen it with my own kids — the pressure to be perfect and the potential for more visible mistakes is hard. JLYF tries to make kids’ lives a little more relatable through the power of storytelling and empathy.

Q: What’s been your favorite JLYF film or moment so far?
A: The amazing work on “May Contain: Your Life.”

Q: What’s one hope you have for the future of JLYF?
A: That’s easy: more content to bigger audiences.

Q: If you could tell every kid watching our films one thing, what would it be?
A: “Everything will be okay in the end. If things aren’t okay, then it’s not the end.”

Q: What kind of impact do you believe JLYF can have in the next 5–10 years?
A: I think they can help people have more empathy — and that can have an immeasurable impact over time.

Q: How has being part of the board changed your perspective?
A: I’m so amazed at the quality and quantity of work this small team can deliver. It’s a great reminder that the combination of passion and vision is a powerful force.

Address

Calle 9 (Ignacio Zaragoza) Entre Pio Pico Y Ocampo, Zona Centro
Prairie Village, KS
22000

Telephone

(816) 260-3187

Website

http://linktr.ee/jlyfilms

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