Recent history has shown us that just as easily as our country can come together in a time of crisis, it can be torn apart by meanness, violence, intolerance, and hatred.  Fortunately, there is a local organization that focuses on how kindness can continue to be the inspiring link and the bridge that brings our region together as we work to find solutions and common ground. 

Started in 1994 as Project Love, Values-in-Action has been providing social-emotional and character education programs to schools in northeast Ohio for 29 years.  Through student workshops and seminars, the organization has trained over 1,300,000 students and 5,300 educators to lead with kindness, caring and respect.

To take kindness to the next level, Values-in-Action is currently presenting a movement aimed at bringing together communities, businesses, organizations, and schools by recognizing and sharing the acts of kindness around us in an effort to inspire a ground swell of positivity and goodness.  Known as “Kindland,” the movement relies on the power of the people to do, recognize, report, and share the acts of kindness happening everyday. 

Ways to engage with the Kindland movement

• Spread the Kindland message:  Take the Kindland pledge at www.BeKindland.com.  It’s an easy way for anyone to show their commitment to kindness.  Share the link and encourage others to take the pledge. 
• Follow them on social media @BeKindland and share news about Kindland with your friends, family, and neighbors. Share kind stories and tag @BeKindland and include #Kindland.
• Post signage in your window or yard to show that you are a part of the movement that encourages kindness in northeast Ohio. Order free signage in the store at www.BeKindland.com.

Summer of Kindness Challenge

Values-in-Action is kicking off  the 2023 “Summer of Kindness Challenge” where participants can win great prizes including a vacation, Browns tickets, Cavs tickets, grocery gift cards and more.

Entering is easy.  On the back page of this issue of Today’s Family there is a board with 20 challenges of kindness.  Challenges include volunteering at a local animal shelter, supporting a lemonade stand, leave a kind message with sidewalk chalk, giving blood and more.  

Between now and August 18, 2023, complete as many of the challenges as you can and mark them off as you go.  For each act of kindness completed on the challenge board, participants will receive an entry into the Summer of Kindness prize raffle.  Completed challenge boards must be received by Friday, August 18 and either be emailed to [email protected] OR mailed to:

Values-in-Action Foundation
Attn: Summer of Kindness
6700 Beta Dr. Ste 120
Mayfield, OH, 44143  

Print your challenge board and get started now at www.BeKindland.com! 

Good luck and here’s hoping for a truly great summer of kindness in northeast Ohio and around the world!