Kidsforpeace.org

Adopt a School and Help Kindness Take Root

What if every women’s club adopted one local school and helped make kindness part of its culture?

As students return to the classroom, families are purchasing pencils, notebooks and backpacks. But one of the most important school supplies cannot be found in a store.

It is kindness.

A child may arrive with a brand-new backpack while quietly wondering: Will anyone sit with me? Will I make a friend? Will I feel safe? Will I belong?

Our clubs can help answer those questions.

Through The Great Kindness Challenge, a signature program of Kids for Peace, schools receive practical tools to create a culture of compassion, acceptance, unity and respect. The program’s wonderfully simple message is:

“One Week. One Checklist. Infinite Happiness.”

A Meaningful Project for Every Club

This year, consider adopting a nearby school and helping its students participate in The Great Kindness Challenge.

Begin by contacting the principal, school counselor or parent organization. Ask whether the school already participates in the challenge and how your club can support its efforts.

The goal is not to give the school more work. It is to listen, partner and provide the help the school actually needs.

Your club could:

• Sponsor printed kindness checklists or program materials.

• Help the school register for The Great Kindness Challenge.

• Donate kindness-themed books to the school library.

• Create encouraging notes or bookmarks for students.

• Provide art supplies for kindness posters and classroom projects.

• Recognize teachers, office staff, custodians and volunteers.

• Help organize a kindness kickoff or celebration.

• Invite students to create thank-you cards for community helpers.

• Provide small grants for student-led kindness projects.

• Celebrate the students’ completed acts of kindness.

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Even a small club can make a meaningful difference. One classroom, one grade level or one school counselor’s project is a wonderful place to begin.

Let the Students Lead

The strongest projects give children an active role.

Ask students what kindness looks like in their school. What would help other children feel welcomed? Is there a buddy bench that needs refreshing? Could older students welcome younger students? Could children collect supplies for a local shelter, write letters to seniors or thank first responders?

When students help select and lead the project, they learn that they do not have to wait until adulthood to improve their community. They can create change right now.

Our club members can serve as encouragers, helpers and mentors while allowing the students’ ideas to shine.

Kindness Is Leadership

Kindness is not simply being nice. It requires us to notice when someone is struggling, listen to what is needed and choose to respond.

That is leadership.

A child who invites someone to sit with them is practicing inclusion. A student who helps a classmate is learning service. A young person who speaks up when someone is excluded is demonstrating courage.

These are the qualities we hope to see in our future community leaders—and they are the same values that have guided women’s clubs for generations.

Begin With One Phone Call

Choose one local school and make one phone call.

You might say:

“Hello, I’m calling on behalf of our women’s club. We would love to support your students through The Great Kindness Challenge. Is your school already participating, and is there a way our members could help without creating additional work for your staff?”

Then listen.

The school may need supplies, volunteers, encouragement, funding or simply a community partner willing to celebrate its students.

Clubs can learn more about the program, access family and school information and find kindness resources at TheGreatKindnessChallenge.com.

Imagine the impact if every club adopted one school. Imagine our members, educators and young people working side by side to create communities where every child feels welcomed, valued and seen.

A pencil can help a child complete an assignment. A backpack can carry a child’s books.

But kindness can help carry a child through the entire school year.

Let’s help put it within everyone’s reach.