Now, take a glance at a few of the ways YOU can help nurture children and build safe, supportive communities...
[N.B. If you would like to read them in an interactive flip book, scroll down, but refer back to the main list for the hyperlinks!]
1. Smile at people.
Smile at your neighbors when you leave your apartment/house, take out the trash, or stand on an elevator.
Smile at kids with their parents and smile at their parents.
Smile at the postman or woman, and smile at yourself in the mirror!
2. Sign an online petition here, and become part of the end of bullying!
3. Find your local Big Brothers and Big Sisters club to "start something." Help children reach their full potentials and build their futures right outside your back door.
4. Why wait for your teachers to bring it up? Why not organize a community event around BULLY.
5. Share your story with the community, the world, or just your family (to start).
…Need inspiration? See what Jessica Simpson did to understand female insecurity around the world--- Watch part of an episode of her television series, “The Price of Beauty,” and discover how youth (and adults) face oppression, bullying, and inequality across the globe. Then go out and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, even if it is just smiling (see #1).
6. Start a committee (or join on that already exists) that focuses on building stronger support groups for youth and for solving underlying issues of bullying, depression, and suicide.
Join forces with local businesses, a community-building professional, and/or neighborhood citizens to collectively improve the environment of your local children.
Check out this informational guide for community-based anti-bullying projects. It has great tips for working in a community to prevent and stop bullying, and it is also a great resource if you are or someone you know is suffering from bullying.
7. Who doesn't like Ellen Degeneres? Why not contribute to the anti-bullying campaigns and programs she supports to make a difference?
Simply click here to donate to one or all of the established programs.
…Still not convinced? Watch this video and see how it makes you feel to just sit there silent, enabling bullies by your lack of involvement.
In addition, you can donate to the Bully video production or a local Children's Ministry or Youth Group, such as my organization, Platte Woods United Methodist Church.
[To donate to the bully project, click here (and potentially win some awesome DJ Pauly D merchandise). To donate to PWUMC, click here.]
8. Exploit your facebook, twitter, and other social media pages by donating your space. Click here to share stats, facts, charts, and information to spread the word.
=> Remeber, Knowledge is Power. The more people are aware of the issue, the more people will work to End It!!
9. Purchase a Life Straw to support the fifth graders at PWUMC. Life Straws are only $6.50 and provide a year's supply of clean water to those people living in huts and in the ruts
with rodents. Click here to support the youth and purchase a Life Straw (or 2, or 3, or 4, or.....however many you wish!).
[Alternatively, you could start your own Life Straws fundraiser to compliment the fifth grader's work and reinforce their hard work and dedication to this project.
By supporting them, you would not only be impacting the next generation, but you would also be saving the lives of thousands of afflicted individuals. Just a thought...].
10. Encourage your state to enact a Model Anti-Bullying Statute. Take it straight to the board of education. Feel free to show the Bully preview, or other resources you find inspiring.
Tell them your story, or that of a friend. Make them feel your pain, sorrow, and sadness for those who suffer from bullying. Guide them to make a change and prevent adolescent suicides.
Please wait...