Just Like You Films, Inc.

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.

(Part 3 of 3) From raising the funds that make the production possible to local businesses donating ice cream on hot sho...
09/04/2026

(Part 3 of 3)

From raising the funds that make the production possible to local businesses donating ice cream on hot shoot days, Kansas City has shown up for this little film with a very big heart.

Kansas City is becoming the Hollywood of the Heartland, and we couldn’t be prouder to have Kansas City natives heidilgardner Gardner and Casey Twenter at the heart of telling this Kansas City story, surrounded by a community helping bring it to life.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, none of this happens without you. Our donors, supporters, and community make it possible for us to tell stories like The Swimming Lesson and bring them to audiences who need to see themselves and others differently.

If this project moves you, we invite you to dive in with us. Click the link to make a tax-deductible donation to Just Like You Films and help us continue bringing stories like this to life. 🏊‍♂️❤️

This is only the beginning. Follow along as we take you behind the scenes of The Swimming Lesson.

KansasCityFilm

(Post 2 of 3) JLYF is equally proud of the extraordinary team bringing this story to life behind the camera, from Twente...
09/04/2026

(Post 2 of 3)

JLYF is equally proud of the extraordinary team bringing this story to life behind the camera, from Twenter and co-writer/producer Robison, to our other producers and executive producers, director of photography Mark Williams, production designer Matthew Holt, and the incredible crew who have poured themselves into this film.

Before production began, we screened our Emmy Award-winning film Just Like You Autism for our director, writers, cast, and crew, creating a shared foundation for understanding Autism and the community we are representing. We also gave our team access to leading Autism experts, creating space to ask questions, listen, and learn.

That commitment has continued throughout production. We have an Autism expert on set advising our team, helping ensure Hudson’s safety and comfort while also helping us protect the authenticity of Albee and his experiences on screen.

This is our Empathy Engine in action.

The impact of a film doesn’t begin when an audience sees the finished product. It begins with the people making it. Our director, writers, actors, and crew have the opportunity to learn directly from the people whose experiences we have been entrusted to represent, and that understanding becomes part of the storytelling itself.

And we’re doing it right here at home.

Jen Greenstreet, Mandi Kearns, and the Just Like You Films team brought their Kansas City relationships and production experience to the film, rallying the local community around the production in ways big and small. Kansas City executive producers Dan Koetting and Pete Clune were part of the project from the beginning, while JLYF helped expand that circle of support to include Amy and Grant Davis and Annie and Kevin Timmons. Together, their belief in the film and support helped make this production possible.

(Part 1 of 3)🎬 IN PRODUCTION: THE SWIMMING LESSONFor 20 years, Just Like You Films has believed that storytelling can he...
09/04/2026

(Part 1 of 3)

🎬 IN PRODUCTION: THE SWIMMING LESSON

For 20 years, Just Like You Films has believed that storytelling can help create a kinder, more compassionate world. For quite some time, we’ve been quietly working on a project that represents an exciting new chapter in that work, and we’re finally ready to share more of it with you.

We are incredibly proud to be producing our fifth feature film and second narrative feature, The Swimming Lesson, right here in our hometown of Kansas City, starring Kansas City native Heidi Gardner and William H. Macy.

Co-written by Casey Twenter and Jeff Robison and directed by fellow Kansas City native Twenter, The Swimming Lesson centers on Tay, played by Gardner, a single mother fighting to build a stable life for her Autistic son, Albee, while navigating family, relationships, and a custody battle. The story is deeply personal, inspired by Casey’s own nephew and created as a love letter to him and to Kansas City.

Before saying yes to this film, we shared the script with trusted partners in the Autism community and asked one question:

Would someone be able to say, “If you want to know more about me, watch this movie?”

Their answer was yes. Our board then voted unanimously to move forward.

Central to why Just Like You Films wanted to tell this story is Hudson Escudero, an 8- year-old actor who lives with autism, bringing Albee to life. Hudson brings not only his own lived experience to the role, but a remarkable craft beyond his years. His performance gives Albee an authenticity and humanity that matter deeply to us.

Watching Hudson and Heidi build this mother and son relationship has been extraordinary. Heidi carries the humor, chaos, and heartbreak of Tay with incredible talent, and witnessing her stamina, generosity, and absolute commitment to this film day after day has been inspiring.

Lamorne Morris, Abby Elliott, Michael Strassner and Joey Bicicchi join Gardner and Macy in the cast. Watching artists of this caliber pour their time, talent, and heart into a small, low-budget film because they believe in the story has been incredibly moving.

Back to school means new classrooms, new routines and new people responsible for keeping kids safe. 🍎🎒For families navig...
09/03/2026

Back to school means new classrooms, new routines and new people responsible for keeping kids safe. 🍎🎒

For families navigating life-threatening food allergies, understanding and awareness can make all the difference.

For a limited time, watch May Contain: My Life for 50% off on Just Like You TV and share it with the parents, teachers, school staff and caregivers in your community.

This film goes beyond awareness. It helps people better understand what living with food allergies really looks like and how we can all help create safer, more compassionate spaces for kids.

🎬 Back-to-School Special: 50% OFF
🔗 Click the link to watch.
https://na2.hubs.ly/H07CHP10

09/03/2026

What can leaning into grief look like?

For this family, it meant searching for answers, learning everything they could about su***de and mental health, and then turning their grief into action through Morgan's Message®, helping student-athletes know they are not alone.

Grief can move us in different ways. Sometimes it means learning. Sometimes it means speaking someone’s name. Sometimes it means creating something that helps another person feel seen.

Through our **Give 9 campaign**, you can help us bring more stories like this to the world through *Just Like You: Grief*.

❤️ Ask someone about their person today.
❤️ Give $9, $19, $199, or any amount inspired by 9 to help amplify the voices of people navigating grief.

Together, we can create a kinder, more compassionate world for those who are grieving.

✨ Meet Our 2027 Power of Film Gala Chairs: Katie & Mark Moreland! ✨Katie and Mark Moreland's connection to Just Like You...
09/02/2026

✨ Meet Our 2027 Power of Film Gala Chairs: Katie & Mark Moreland! ✨
Katie and Mark Moreland's connection to Just Like You Films spans more than 15 years. Their journey began in 2011, at a front-yard neighborhood fundraiser with a simple but ambitious goal: help us create a 20-minute film about the lives of kids with Down syndrome. That evening also marked the beginning of Lockton's relationship with Just Like You Films.

The Moreland family have been Super Troupers ever since. Their children, Charlie and Reilly, grew up to lead our Youth Advisory Board, helping engage a younger generation in the importance of empathy and understanding. Katie and Mark went on to serve as producers of Just Like You: Anxiety and Depression.

Now, Katie and Mark are taking on another important role as Chairs of the 2027 Power of Film Gala, with Lockton serving as Presenting Sponsor. From helping make a film possible in 2011, to producing new stories, to engaging the next generation, and now leading our largest annual fundraising event, the Morelands have been part of the Just Like You Films story every step of the way.

🕺Join Katie, Mark, and the Just Like You Films community on March 6, 2027, at The Abbott for Knowing Me, Knowing You!, a MAMMA MIA!-inspired celebration of connection, compassion, and the stories that bring us together.

💙 Thank you, Katie and Mark, for continuing to believe in this mission and lead the way.

Reserve your table today: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07Bp3G0

09/02/2026

Help us Give 9 to Grief and change the way we show up for people who are grieving.

A gift of $9, $49, $99, $999, or any amount meaningful to you helps us create Grief, a Just Like You Film designed to deepen understanding, inspire compassion, and create space for honest conversations about loss.

Because what does it really mean to be there for someone who is grieving?

Sometimes, it’s as simple as saying: “I’m here. Even at 4:00 a.m.”

Grief looks different for everyone. There is no perfect timeline, no universal response, and no single thing someone will need.

But we can ask.

How is your grief today?
What are you wrestling with?
What do you wish someone understood?
How can I be here with you?

We may not be able to change the chapter someone has been given, but we can help make sure they don’t have to walk through it alone.

That’s what it means to lean into grief.

🎬 Help us bring this film to life by donating through the link in our bio.

09/01/2026

“What did you love about them?”

It was one simple question. But for Jen Greenstreet, it created something she didn’t know she needed: space to talk about her brother-in-law Steve, to say his name, to share her love for him, and to experience joy alongside the pain of grief.

That moment helped make one thing clear.

We need to create more space for grief.

That is why we’re making *Grief*, a Just Like You Film designed to encourage a kinder, more compassionate way of showing up for people who are grieving.

And we’re asking you to help us make it possible through our Give Nine to Grief campaign.

❤️ Make a tax-deductible gift through the link in our bio.
🎬 Help us bring these stories to the screen.
💬 And today, ask someone about their person.

Sometimes compassion begins with a question.

08/30/2026

Grief changes us. What if we changed the way we show up for it? ❤️

On National Grief Awareness Day, we’re beginning nine days of honest conversation through nine different voices from people whose stories will be part of our upcoming film.

Nine days. One question:

What would it look like if we leaned into grief instead of turning away from it?

Grief doesn’t ask us to return to who we were before. It changes us. And sometimes, the most meaningful thing another person can do is simply show up.

Ask about their person.
Say their name.
Listen to their story.
Remind them they are not alone.

You can also help us bring these stories and this conversation about grief to people around the world by making a tax-deductible donation. Give $9, $49, $99, $199, or any amount meaningful to you through the link in our bio.

Grief changes us. Let’s change the way we show up for one another. Click the link in our bio.

Pickleball. Prizes. And a chance to play for a purpose.Food and Drinks available for purchase.D***s for a Difference is ...
08/28/2026

Pickleball. Prizes. And a chance to play for a purpose.
Food and Drinks available for purchase.

D***s for a Difference is taking over Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park on Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 AM, and we want YOU on the court.

🐾 All skill levels welcome
🏓 Grab a partner and register your team
💙 Every d**k helps support Just Like You Films and the Empathy Engine

Team spots are limited, so consider this your sign.

Ready to play? https://na2.hubs.ly/H07sg7F0

***sForADifference

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Prairie Village, KS

Telephone

(816) 260-3187

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