The Campaign Calls on Participants to Practice Acts of Kindness for 21 Days This September
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 SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation on Aug. 19, with support from 165 additional partners, announced the launch of Born This Way Foundation’s third annual #BeKind21 Campaign. As communities across the world face the trauma of a pandemic, the ongoing racial inequalities, and a host of global challenges, this year’s campaign has been uniquely designed to be responsive to today’s movements, showcasing that kindness is not an empty gesture; rather, kindness is a verb. To be kind is to speak up. To be kind is to prioritize your mental wellness. To be kind is to advocate for a world that values, validates, and respects all people.
From September 1 to September 21, the Campaign invites schools and colleges, corporate partners, non-profit partners, and all other participants to integrate kindness in their daily lives. This year’s #BeKind21 Campaign will build on last year’s effort which, with support from over 130 partners, drew 1.6 million participants from around the world and generated over 41 million acts of kindness.
Kathi King, Director of Outreach and Education of Community Environmental Council, stated, “Our mission is about being kinder to the Earth, and we recognize that being kind to each other – actively taking care of, listening to, and supporting the needs of everyone in our community – builds the resilience we must have to collectively care for our planet.”
CEC will participate in the challenge by providing a list of 21 ways to be kind to the Earth and each other by advocating, changing personal habits, and taking part in educational events that lead to action. The list, which reflects CEC’s own efforts to build local community resilience and combat the climate crisis, can be found at CECSB.org/bekind21. Community members are encouraged to take pictures when they engage in any of the items on the list and post to social media with tags #bekind21 and #cecsb. Also partnering on the challenge are more than 165 schools, nonprofit organizations, government institutions, sports teams, and corporations across the country.
“While our world is different this year, our mission has never been more important,” said Cynthia Germanotta, co-founder and president of Born This Way Foundation. “Simple acts of kindness will go a long way in a time when so many are searching for connection and hope. Kindness is powerful, and together we can create a movement to build a future that is kinder, braver, and more just for all.”
Studies have found that performing acts of kindness can boost happiness (Dunn, Aknin, & Norton 2008) and increase feelings of self-worth and calm while decreasing feelings of depression (UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science Center). Born This Way Foundation’s research found that young people who describe their environments as kind are more likely to be mentally healthy. That’s true for youth in high schools, colleges, and workplaces.
Individuals who take the pledge will receive exclusive kindness suggestions, tips, and inspiration from Born This Way Foundation’s co-founders and partners, and have a chance to be featured on ChannelKindness.org |
