MEET THE TEAM

I believe that film can make a difference and bring about effective change. In 1978 Allen Mondell and I formed Media Projects Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization to produce and distribute social issue films that make a difference in people’s lives. Together, we have created more than 41 documentaries, many award-winning, that have empowered girls and women, brought awareness about depression and suicide, highlighted racial issues and made history come alive. Some of our topics include women’s rights and history, mental health issues, substance abuse, antisemitism, immigration, aging and violence prevention. Millions of people have viewed our films in museums, including the films about the life, death and legacy of President John Kennedy at the SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM at Dealey Plaza, the National Women’s Historical Park, the Women’s Museum, the State Fair of Texas and more. Our films have aired nationally on PBS and are used by schools, libraries, community groups and museums nationwide. They have received numerous honors including Emmy Awards.

We made a commitment to distribute our films so they will effect social change. The films we made in the 1980’s are still viewed today.  Colleges, Schools, Libraries, Community Groups, Advocacy Groups, Government Agencies Synagogues and Churches are part of the many Institutions that show our films.

I worked for Dallas College, the El Cento, and Cedar Valley campuses from 2009 to 2020, where I was assigned to work at Lew Sterret Justice Center teaching Art classes.

I had the opportunity to work with both male and female populations as well as. . .special people such as those who were under Parklands psychiatric care who battle major mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia and Major depression disorders.
Most students have learning disabilities and emotional challenges that can leave them frustrated in a traditional classroom setting.

To bring ease and comfort to the classroom, I used Creative methods of teaching learned from my social work background. I engaged students in a distinctive way of communicating, which allowed me to connect with the students successfully.
Teaching for me was a chance to contribute to my community. I felt I was making a difference and empowering minds and sharing my wisdom and life lessons.

The greatest fulfillment of teaching was planning together, studying student work together, and problem-solving together. Most of all, teaching is the most critical thing I can do to create a warm, loving environment where they can flourish and grow.

Claire is a playwright, actress, sound designer, dog/cat mom and published poet from Denver, Colorado. She is also the Administrative Coordinator at Kitchen Dog Theater, whose mission is to provide a place where questions of justice, morality and human freedom can be explored. Claire graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2014 with a BFA in Theater Studies. In 2014-2015, Claire was a member of the Dallas Playwrights’ Workshop at Dallas Theater Center, under the guidance of Will Power. Claire is thrilled to be working with the strong women of IN HER SHOES to help distribute this powerful message far and wide and raise awareness of systemic, addiction and mental health issues faced by incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals. As a queer female artist, Claire is passionate about social justice, amplifying marginalized voices and the power of storytelling: all of which are thematically resonant in the world of IN HER SHOES!

Jill is helping Media Projects, Inc. to find screening partners for IN HER SHOES, a film that about incarcerated women who tell their life stories through the shoes they wear. Jill has 20+ years of nonprofit experience; most recently as Associate Director, Philanthropy Operations, at the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.  Prior to that, she served as a Major Gifts writer at UJA-Federation.  She is a volunteer with Catchafire, where she provides writing, research and strategic assistance to her pro bono clients.  In her initial nine months with Catchafire, she worked on 16 projects, delivering an impact valued at $45,000.  You can read more about Jill on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-salter/