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Brats Without Borders, Inc.
Brats Without Borders, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit
production company founded in 1999. Our mission is to create films, videos,
and literary materials for current and former military children and other
"third culture kids (TCKs)" from highly mobile families around the world
(most of whom spend a portion of their youth outside their country of citizenship)
that acknowledge their existence and contributions, improve the quality of their lives,
and foster the self-awareness and sense of belonging necessary to employ the
more positive aspects of their unique multi-cultural inheritance.
All donations are tax-deductible.
To make a donation, click here!
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Audience member at Anniston, AL screening gives Writer/Director
Donna Musil a big "thank you" hug. |
Projects
"BRATS: Our Journey Home" is Brats Without Borders' first project and a seven-year
effort. In the past two years, we've screened the film to packed houses in over 90 locations
around the United States, at U.S. military bases in Korea, had over 3 million hits on our
website, and won the 2007 Southern Lens Award.
The film is helping both current and adult military BRATS and other TCKs around the world
understand who they are and where they're from.
It's helping parents understand their children and institutions understand the families who
are part of their organizations. It's also educating teachers, counselors, and faith-based groups who
work with this unique subculture on a daily basis.
Future projects
for Brats Without Borders include:
- an in-depth collection of BRATS RAW interviews with Kris Kristofferson,
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and Psychotherapist Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman;
- a traveling BRATS exhibit for schools and museums, including more of the unique challenges
facing current brats;
- a documentary about how this unique subculture is changing the race relations landscape around
the world, including how President Truman's integration of the military in 1948 has affected
military children and families;
- a book expanding on the stories presented in "BRATS: Our Journey Home"; and
- transferring one of the most comprehensive collection of
questionnaires
(some up to 70 pages typed!) about how growing up military/TCK affects children into an
electronic database.
Population Served
Brats Without Borders serves a
massive population
of current and adult military brats and other TCKs (from foreign service,
corporate, aide, missionary, and even immigrant families) around the world. Experts estimate
military brats alone constitute 5% of the United States population. Military brats and TCKs from
countries outside the U.S. share many similarities - as if there's a global BRAT NATION
who has more in common with each other than with their own countries. The numbers are
truly staggering, yet this population has rarely been served. "BRATS: Our Journey Home" is the
first documentary made about this
"invisible tribe"
of people.
Funding Sources
Support of Brats Without Borders has come from a plethora of sources, from gigantic
organizations like Disney and the Department of Defense and the Truman Library to
individual brats who donated their time, money, and services.
The press
has been particularly helpful in getting the word out,
since we can't currently afford traditional advertising.
BRATS are an enigmatic, multi-cultural bunch. We don't look alike, we live all
over the place (and move often), and we span all races, religions, and political
persuasions. But scratch the surface of a brat and you'll find a unique subculture
with specific needs and challenges. Hopefully, as the word gets out, more folks
will join
our supporters
and extend a helping hand!
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