Ian Applegate

In 2015, Janna Wagner, a fellow alumnus of Yale's Ulysses S. Grant Foundation Program, reached out to me with an intriguing request. Her organization had been nominated for a prestigious award, and as part of the submission process, she needed a video to showcase their work. She asked if I could help, and I didn’t hesitate to say yes.

At the time, I knew very little about Janna’s nonprofit. I had a vague understanding that her work involved helping children, but the specifics were a mystery to me. To bridge the gap, Janna connected me with her communications team and sent me to visit several locations throughout New Haven where her organization was making a real impact.

What I discovered was inspiring. All Our Kin, her nonprofit, focuses on supporting individuals within communities who are already trusted caretakers for neighborhood children. Many of these caregivers lack formal training in education or childcare—they're simply people who are great with kids. All Our Kin steps in to provide them with essential resources: licensing, insurance, and educational tools to enhance their impact. It’s a model that not only empowers these caregivers but also uplifts the communities they serve.

The video we created for All Our Kin was more than just a showcase—it was a testament to the transformative power of their work. As part of their submission, the video helped them secure the national grand prize of $100,000. While I’m proud that the video contributed to their win, the true credit belongs to the incredible efforts of Janna and her colleague, Jessica, whose dedication and vision continue to transform lives.

This was filmed on my T4i and the only version online I could find is in 720p. It was also 10 years ago as of the time of this post, so I would imagine now with better equipment and more experience, I could produce a more polished video. It also goes to show that even an unpolished video can have the intended effect on the audience if the content resonates. It's also another example of how a video that was only meant for a small group of people, in this case the Jaffee Award committee, can still make a positive significant impact for the client.