DC Area Web Design Firm Colleagues Go Barefoot In Support of Children Without Access to Proper Footwear.

Washington, D.C. (April 2012) – In response to the millions of children in the world that grow up without shoes, staff at DC area web design firm, Blue Water Media, went barefoot last Tuesday.  They braved boardrooms, client engagements, DC city streets and crowded airports sans footwear to participate in the TOMS One Day without Shoes Challenge (www.onedaywithoutshoes.com), to raise awareness about the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life by going without shoes for one day.

Why are shoes so important?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

• A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

Created in Collaboration with Mentor Foundation USA’s Authentic Career Experiences (ACE) Program, The Day’s Activities Resulted in a Positive Learning Opportunity for All.

Washington DC (March, 2012) – DC web design firm, Blue Water Media, hosted a mentoring event for the students of Cesar Chavez High School last Monday.  The event was part of Blue Water Media’s corporate philanthropy partnership with Mentor Foundation USA, which also includes regular mentoring sessions between Blue Water Media employees and Cesar Chavez students.  The overarching goal of the initiative is to provide DC area disadvantaged youth with additional support from caring adult mentors, as well as exposure to a professional work environment.

Blue Water Media Engages the Local Community Through a Corporate School-Based Mentoring Program Which Connects Employees to Disadvantaged DC Area High School Students.

Blue Water Media has recently joined forces with youth development and outreach foundation, Mentor Foundation USA, as a part of its corporate mentoring program.  The initiative consists of ongoing mentoring sessions between Blue Water Media employees and local high school students, and a Career Day at Blue Water Media’s corporate headquarters where mentees will shadow employees and attend professional development workshops.  Blue Water Media ultimately hopes to provide DC area disadvantaged youth with additional support from caring adult mentors as well as exposure to the professional work environment.

There is much evidence supporting the fact that youth benefit from having positive mentors in their lives.  According to a recent study conducted by an independent national research organization, “Children who have mentors in their lives are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 26% less likely to use alcohol and 52% less likely to skip school than those children without Mentors,” (Tierney, J.P., Grossman and Resch, N.L.).

Recognition Has Been Given to Blue Water Media for Excellence in Government Web Design, Restaurant Web Design, Consumer Products and Services Web Design and Education Web Design.

Washington, DC (November, 2011) – The winners of The 2011 Davey Awards have just been announced by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.  Washington DC web design firm, Blue Water Media, has been selected from nearly 4,000 entries from across the US and around the world for their work on The Department of Health and Human Services website, The Scholarship Workshop website, the Please Propose website, the Congressional Seafood website and the Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro website.  “We are honored to be recognized by the esteemed Davey awards bureau, which has a history of selecting the creative work from the best small firms across the globe,” says Blue Water Media Director of Web Design, Jennifer Koscielniak.

The Cutting Edge, Informative and Aesthetically Appealing Website Helps AWI Serve as a Stronger Advocate for Animal Protection.

Washington, DC (October 21, 2011) – DC-based animal protection nonprofit organization, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), just launched a new website, www.awionline.org.  Designed by DC web design firm, Blue Water Media, and built in the award-winning Drupal content management system, the website features compelling layout and design, e-commerce functionality, and a customized donation module.  Blue Water Media’s creation will help AWI more effectively carry out its mission to reduce animal suffering caused by people.

A dynamic slideshow filled with vivid images of animals greets users on the homepage and sets a compassionate tone to the site.  Clearly organized content and intuitive navigation allows users to find the information they are looking for easily and efficiently.  Prominent calls-to-action like “Act Now,” “Sign Up for eAlerts,” “Support AWI” and social media icons encourage users to take desired actions and engage meaningfully with the website.