Kindness Warriors
Each month we feature people and/or organizations like you! To remind us of the good stuff in life, that the smallest things can make the biggest impact and that change starts with you.
Know someone focusing on good self care? Being neighborly and gives back to the community? Makes the roomer a brighter and the planet greener? Is dedicated to deepening their financial intelligence or being philanthropic? Nominate a Kindness Warrior to feature here?
Be Kind 5 is proud to share a wonderful resource Parent Trust as our Kindness Warrior this month! Enjoy learning about an important mission: We equip parents and caregivers to raise safe, healthy and strong children.
Parent Trust is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to serving families. We equip parents and caregivers to raise safe, healthy and strong children. What that really means is that we meet families where they are – when they need us.
A great example of this is our Family Help Line. Our Family Help Line is a dedicated warm line that anyone can call with any concern about a child. We work with parents, grandparents, extended family, foster parents and professionals. We offer live, on demand translation services when needed, and follow up with our families until we find solutions.
Learn more about our Family Help Line by following this link: or give us a call at 1-800-932-4673.
All our research-based programs focus on keeping stress and adversity from becoming tragedy. We know that many parents lack resources, education, and support – and when under stress, many cannot break the behavior patterns from their own childhoods. Many families also face constant toxic stressors in the form of historical trauma and racism, poverty and so many other forms of systemic bias – all of which prevents families from receiving the education and support they need to be healthy and safe.
Our goal is a world where every parent can access the support and resources they need - a world where no child ever needs to enter foster care.
You can learn more about all our programs, including our Families in Recovery (support groups for parents recovering from substance addiction) our Family Wellness Program, (developmental screenings for infants and young children, combined with custom parent coaching and screenings for depression/anxiety in parents), our Great Starts and Conscious Fathering classes for new parents and our SMART Program (Stress Management and Relaxation Training), on our website at www.parenttrust.org
Parent Trust Family Story:
Kiera’s story is a great example of our work. Kiera called our Family Help Line looking for help. Alone, pregnant, and living in temporary housing, Kiera described herself as depressed, lonely, and homesick. Our staff quickly signed her up for one of our new parent class series and provided her with the laptop she needed to attend. Our staff also helped Kiera find ongoing culturally appropriate parenting support, and the mental health support she knew she needed, but could not access on her own. Today, Kiera and her baby are safe - and they have hope for the future.
Thank you Parent Trust for this important gift to our world and for being an amazing Kindness Warrior Organization!
Team BK5
Kindness Warrior Lena Bernal is the Housing and Support Group coordinator at NAMI Eastside. Lena's optimistic spirit and caring heart shine through everything she does. She is the mother of 5 children, and has experienced homelessness and mental health challenges herself. Against the odds, she is leveraging her lived experiences to make a difference for others. She leads support groups for other women experiencing housing and mental health issues, as well as teaching coping skills to youth. Lena is always smiling and excited about making a difference.
Lena Bernal from NAMI Eastside
Be Kind 5 is grateful for Kindness Warriors like Lena that shine a light in our world.
Be Kind 5 is proud to share Equity in Communications as our Kindness Warrior Organization!
Noticias publishes a weekly video that transcreates information from Lake Washington and Bellevue School Districts so that Spanish speaking parents and caregivers have access to the critical information they need to support their student’s success in school. Transcreating makes sure the information is presented in an understandable, linguistically and culturally relevant manner which is absent from standard translation tools.
Words of Wisdom:
Do not translate, transcreate. Transcreating co-creates with the community and focuses on culturally relevancy and linguistic relevance.
An example of the amazing dedication and communication: https://fb.watch/qNQ8dAPC3a/
Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076387800827&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Be Kind 5 is proud of this important equity work in our local school district! Thanks to all of you!
Team BK5
Its been a wonderful February at Be Kind 5 and we have been celebrating healthy human connections and in this practice we want to highlight a Kindness Warrior that has impacted many of our lives in wonderful ways!
Introducing Melanie Ness! Here are some words that have been shared:
Melanie has a heart of gold, and actions that follow. She is committed to supporting causes that are important to society in any way she can. She can be found volunteering for numerous non-profits, or raising funds through hiking challenges. It's rare that you find a person who operates life based on strong values and leaves goodness and kindness in her wake. Her life experiences have been difficult, but she used that to define her path to make a difference. We are thrilled to celebrate Melanie and her big, kind heart!
To celebrate the new year, our biggest intention is to inspire! Celebrating all of the kindness warriors in our world!! Lets move forward with intention and small steps of kindness!
Celebrating Giving Back In December and happy to share the December 2023 Kindness Warrior:
December 2023 Kindness Warrior:
Meenakshi Sinha didn't set out to change the world through her artwork, but she seems to he headed in that direction. Through her Facebook page - The Giving Canvas - Sinha has been creating original art for auction to support a number of local non-profit organizations since 2017. The Giving before receiving the acrylic paint set, but immediately began teaching herself; Canvas learning by exploring different media and tools. "Nature is my greatest inspiration, and I love using vibrant color and texture in my work," Sinha said. "The process of painting brings me a lot of joy. And knowing that I can use my art to support my community provides an additional source of joy and inspiration to me as an artist It was a gift from her husband four years ago that ignited Sinha's passion for painting. She had never picked up a brush Sinha's platform has been especially valuable during the pandemic, as nonprofit fundraising has gone virtual. Sinha's paintings have raised more than $140,000 for local non-profits . You can follow Sinha on Facebook at - The Giving Canvas
November 2023 Featured Kindness Warrior Organization:
22 Love is a grass roots non profit aimed at supporting women’s mental health through their success in business, physical health, caregiving, family and education. Through mentorship and connection we are growing a community of individuals designed to support whatever needs come our way. Women are the primary caregivers of our communities and families while also attempting to thrive in business. We are planting seeds of love and gratitude within the community by supporting the journey and needs of each woman willing to be courageous enough to ask for help. None of us do this alone. By helping women and their families we are helping everyone. Lift a woman, lift the world. We believe we can make a difference!
Reach out via Instagram @22_love_gratitude
Thank you 22 Love for being the change and creating more love in this world!
October 2023 Featured Kindness Warrior organization:
The just keep livin Foundation’s Greenlights Grant Initiative (GGI) is a national program connecting school districts across the country to billions of dollars of available federal funding to make America’s schools and our children safer.
A first-of-its-kind, non-partisan program, GGI is focused on helping school districts apply for and receive federal school safety grants.
School safety grant funding includes resources for mental health services, school security systems, and other common-sense measures to ensure our kids can learn in peace.
Applying for government grants is complex, expensive, and intimidating. The Greenlights Grant Initiative simplifies that process. We help school districts navigate the grant process to ensure full access to these critical opportunities.
Click here for more information
Be Kind 5 is proud to share this organization and the greater good they are doing for our public Schools and hope that this is shared far and wide to support the mental health of our youth!
Thanks for being an amazing Kindness Warrior Organization!
October 19: Devin Moore
This Kindness Warrior has done it again! Young advocate, podcaster and now author Devin Moore has stepped up his anti-bullying work with the release of his book “Devin Speaks Up!”
The children's book speaks about the importance of being okay with being different and loving who you are, speaking up to someone you trust about being bullied, and that kindness matters. It's not okay to be bullied. It's okay to be a friend. The story encourages kids to speak up and be upstanders for each other. We need to embrace each others' differences in a world that includes all kinds of people from all walks of life.
OCTOBER 12: Ariel Mei Gliboff
Ariel (she/her/她) is the founder of Redmond based 501c3 nonprofit The Emotional Abuse Discussion (Team TEAD). A proud, queer Chinese American advocate, Ariel founded Team TEAD to begin discussions of emotional abuse and domestic violence with a focus on survivors of color, youth, and LGBTQIA+ survivors. Team TEAD's accomplishments include hosting the City of Redmond's first ever UNITED Festival for AA&NH/PI Heritage Month and the Horror at Home Campaign featuring cultural folklore from Asian and Latine culture. Team TEAD's advocacy includes creating educational tooks such as the LGBTQIA+ Youth of Color toolkit, Asian American Domestic Violence Survivor and Allyship Toolkit, and Emotional Abuse toolkit, among others. Team TEAD is majority people of color and LGBTQIA+.
September 7: Ananya Aatreya & Gauri Gupta
Rising juniors at Interlake High School, Ananya and Gauri, are passionate about their community. After witnessing a classmate be sexually assaulted by another student coupled with the school’s lack of responsiveness; these young leaders lead a protest and are now developing an app. Their app, SafeSpace, will provide various services to help protect people from sexual assault. Click to learn more.
June 1: Miriam
Miriam is a mother of 5 boys. Miriam’s oldest son has been a part of Rainier Athletes since the programs start and she has been a wonderful motherly role model and advocate for the community. Now, Miriam is working full time for the first time since she became a mom as an Outreach Coordinator at 4 Tomorrow. Miriam works to connect Latino community members to services and supports provided by 4 Tomorrow and other partners. Her work ethic and kindness are something we all admire and aspire to achieve. Thank you, Miriam!
May 18: Carly
Carly is 4 Tomorrow’s Board Secretary. She currently works at the Bellevue School District and is studying for her graduate degree in School Counseling at Seattle University. Despite her busy schedule, Carly supports the community through volunteering and advocates for women's, immigrant, and animal rights. Those who know Carly are sure of her loyalty and love for them and the community. Her passion for Equity in Mental Health is going to make the world a better place. Thank you, Carly!
May 25: Cintia
Cintia graduated from the University of Washington with her Masters in Social Work. Her passion in helping the Latino community access mental health services has been integral to building 4 Tomorrow’s trailblazing low barrier programming. She comes from a small rural town in Washington and hopes to one day bring mental health support to the most marginalized areas and communities in the country. Cintia hosts monthly psychoeducation meetings where she is building a baseline of understanding with the community and creating space for connection and peer support. Thank you, Cintia!
May 11: Luisa
Luisa is a mom of 6 who lost her oldest son last year to gun violence. She is one of the strongest people you will ever meet. While she is grieving and managing the tragic loss, she has dedicated her time to helping other moms who have lost children. Luisa convenes a group of Spanish speaking moms, with 4 Tomorrow, who share stories, support one another, and seek support together. The love that she has for her son and her family is so beautiful and she freely shares it with anyone who needs it. It's an honor to know her. Thank you, Luisa!
March 3: The Sophia Way Support Network
What happens when a group of like-hearted people gets together? A community thrives!
The Support Network, a mighty community group, has been supporting The Sophia Way since 2010. The group includes members of faith communities, civic groups, and nonprofit organizations that give generously in support of women experiencing homelessness.
Each month the group meets to get updates about The Sophia Way’s programs, share information, and learn about the needs and how they can get involved. The members take this information back to their congregations and organizations, spreading the word and creating a larger community of support.
An idea that came out of a meeting years ago was creating a “Welcome Her Home” basket - items helpful to women moving into their own housing. These are so much appreciated by a woman who often has nothing more than a suitcase with some personal items. In addition, the members provide meals regularly and hold a summer BBQ dinner.
All of us at The Sophia Way are deeply appreciative of the organizations and women that are a part of the Support Network. Read more about the group at https://sophiaway.org/strong-roots/
February 9: We Heart Seattle Volunteers
We are in love with the We Heart Seattle volunteers. We Heart Seattle volunteerism goes above and beyond debris removal. Their volunteers show love and kindness to our community in many ways. When they are picking up debris, they connect with our unhoused neighbors and offer them basic needs support. The trust and relationships they build are undeniable. Recently, a young man entrusted a volunteer to care for his service dog Melody while he accepted in patient treatment for medical detox from Heroin.
February 2: We heart seattle
In over a year our We Heart Seattle volunteers have removed more than 430,000 pounds of trash throughout Seattle. By loving the environment, we also lift up others living in poor conditions as well. Cleaning is love for our Mother Earth but shows kindness and compassion in a way that everyone appreciates. We Heart Seattle has volunteers who are still experiencing homelessness, who are retired, or joining us to work off community service hours. Our group is diverse and we have come to bond over this important way to volunteer.
Expressions Arts and their founder, Sweety Saradha, truly believes that they couldn’t deliver the amazing programs and services they do without her students. All of the Expressions Arts programs are lead by the Youth Board, age 13-16, with the support of Sweety. This group of students volunteers are the true Kindness Warrior. Click to learn more about the ways this group of youth are “bringing the joy of creativity” to the community.
AUGUST 11: Sweety Saradha
Sweety, a local artist, curated one of a kind art for the Sophia Way office transformation with Girls Giving Back. Her art sparks inspiration and brings beauty to the shelter office space! In addition to creating and teaching art Sweety is involved in giving back to the youth in our community, hosting the Children’s Business Fair in Redmond, WA. At the event youth were able to create and sell items that they are passionate about. Thank you! Sweety for being a Kindness Warrior with a big impact - we appreciate all you do to make this world kinder. For more information check out her website www.sweetysaradha.com
May 5: Priya Nagar
Priya has been incredibly helpful at NAMI Eastside, jumping in to help make things happen in the office and is passionate about fundraising. NAMI Eastside couldn’t do what they do without her help. Priya is a dedicated volunteer at a few Seattle-area non-profits and is always trying to find creative ways to connect with people to raise awareness and help with fund raising at these organizations.
To learn more about NAMI Eastside check out their website at www.nami-eastside.org
May 12: Cities Rise
citiesRISE is doing amazing work to transformation mental health services and the narrative around mental health in Nairobi, Sacramento, Seattle, Bogota, and Chennai!
Locally, here in Seattle, they are focused on integrated delivery systems and youth leadership. Many Minds Collaborative, King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division are working with citiesRISE to adapt best practices from other cities, co-develop a cross-sectoral engagement model and scale it up.
To learn more visit citiesRISE website
May 19: NAMI-Eastside
The team at NAMI Eastside work to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness on the Eastside. Through their support groups as well as educational classes and presentations involving mental illness at various locations throughout eastern King County they are working to end the stigma around mental illness. Creating a community of support, empowering those impacted by mental illness and making positive changes in the mental health care system through their advocacy work.
NAMI-Eastside is a grassroots non-profit organization, part of the national NAMI organization, and an affiliate of NAMI Washington.
Watch this video to learn more about NAMI Eastside.
May 26: Youth Eastside Services
YES’s mission is to be “…a lifeline for kids and families coping with challenges such as emotional distress, substance abuse and violence. Through intervention, outreach and prevention, YES builds confidence and personal responsibility, strengthens family relationships, and advocates for a safer community that cares for its youth.”
They have been going above and beyond to deliver their services and support since 1968. YES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, political beliefs, gender identity and expression, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical and mental ability, socioeconomic status, marital status, family/parental status and military status in any of its services, programs or operations.
We welcome children, youth, and families of all backgrounds, providing multi-lingual and culturally sensitive services.
To learn more visit YES website
APRIL 14: Second Use
Second Use, located in Seattle and Tacoma, is making a huge impact. “As environmental and economic forces continue to impress upon our society the benefits of reducing waste, Second Use envisions salvage and reuse of building materials as an increasingly user-friendly process and a standard component of a construction job. We envision building our capabilities in professional salvage and deconstruction services, and we aim to provide an enjoyable shopping experience for customers. We will do this together with contractors, homeowners, customers and community in the Puget Sound region – those who have been our partners from the beginning.” - Second Use
The Second Use staff, is what makes this business really shine. They do an incredible job of educating, creating, giving back and diverting a massive amount of usable material from landfills. Every single member of their team plays an important part and they are inspiring.
March 30: LifeWire’s Prevention Team
Ending dating and domestic violence begins with education. LifeWire’s Prevention Team works with youth and young people ages 12 to 24 to promote healthy relationships and strengthen skills for building and maintaining those relationships. The team also offers strategies for young people to support their peers and intervene to prevent situations that may increase risk.
LifeWire partners with area high schools, Bellevue College, and UW Bothell to ensure young people have the tools they need to build healthy relationships and identify unhealthy behaviors. In high school health classes, they teach about healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, what dating violence is and isn’t, warning signs of an abusive or toxic relationship, and how to help a friend and access community resources. The Prevention Team also mentors student leaders who help foster informed youth communities that feel empowered to prevent violence.
LifeWire collaborates with and helps develop gender-equity focused clubs in partner schools, aiming at shifting campus culture to value and support healthy relationship behaviors and embody violence prevention practices. The Prevention Team supports these clubs in hosting by-and-for youth events and meetings to raise awareness and teach young people vital skills around creating safer communities. They also collaborate with the Gender Orientated Violence Alliance and Activism club (GOVAA) at Interlake High School to support in hosting their Summer Training event each year. This event is a by-and-for opportunity for youth to teach and learn from each other about issues around Gender-Based Violence.
LifeWire is a founding in Team Up Washington, which partners with other agencies and local teams like the Seahawks and Mariners, to educate coaches about healthy relationships. At Team Up Washington trainings, Ward Urion, LifeWire’s Social Change Manager provides “Coaching Boys Into Men” and “Athletes as Leaders” training for high school athletic coaches throughout the state.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ward, along with Preventionists Amira and Isabella, and Youth Advocate Sam, have shifted their work online. They’ve redeveloped curriculum so they can hold classes virtually, switched from in person to video and phone advocacy, and mentored campus leaders remotely. Last year alone, they worked with nearly 800 students, helping them develop healthy habits and relationships.
MARCH 19: LifeWire’s Survivor Services Team
Survivors often reach out for help finding housing, navigating the legal system, or making a safety plan. But often, they’re also looking for someone to listen. The advocates on our Survivor Services team offer survivors emotional support, providing them with a safe space to share their anxieties, frustrations, or fears so they can better care for themselves.
Survivors, especially those from marginalized or smaller communities, don’t always feel safe sharing their concerns with family or friends. They may be isolated from their support networks. They may be afraid that someone will slip and let their abusive partner know they plan on leaving. Or they may worry that they’ll be blamed for the abuse or shamed into staying.
LifeWire’s survivor service advocates provide emotional support for survivors. That can be listening on the other end of the phone while a survivor unloads their fears about leaving. It can be having a video call to go page by page filling out forms. It can include celebrating with a survivor after they finally move into their own apartment. DV advocates don’t tell survivors what to do. Instead, they help survivors talk through their thoughts and emotions so they can make the best decisions for themselves. By tailoring their support, advocates respond to each survivor’s unique barriers, challenges, and goals.
Throughout the pandemic, Survivor Service Manager Gabriel Oglesby, and advocates Anna, Tevin, and Asha have worked with hundreds of survivors as they navigate the additional stresses of living with an abuser during lock down. They are supporting survivors with a lot of safety planning around various situations, including keeping their children safe, and brainstorming how to access resources to keep themselves healthy and safer. Advocates provide a lot of emotional support around survivors’ mental health and particularly around how to manage the impact of trauma during these extraordinarily stressful and challenging times.
March 3: LifeWire’s Homelessness Service’s Team
Even as most of LifeWire’s staff shifted to working from home at the beginning of the pandemic, the six members of our Homelessness Services Team have worked hard to keep the doors of our two shelters open.
My Sister’s Home (MSH), LifeWire’s confidential emergency shelter, serves families and individuals facing lethal situations. Because our shelter has individual apartments, we can welcome all types of families and individuals. Advocates on the Homelessness Services team provide residents with housing as well as family and children’s advocacy services.
Through My Friend’s Place (MFP), our communal living shelter, we provide confidential transitional housing and supportive services for families healing from both domestic violence and chemical dependency.
Throughout the pandemic, Sarah, LifeWire’s Homelessness Services Manager, and her team of five advocates Karen, Sharon, Nalja, Lyala, and Angelica, have taken turns onsite at MFP and MSH. Last spring they worked to keep everyone, especially residents at MFP, safe and healthy from the pandemic. This meant creating COVID-19 protocols, ensuring that residents could still get the legal, medical, and mental health support they needed, in addition to domestic violence advocacy.
At MFP the team set up a Zoom room, where residents could safely make their remote appoints. The recently team started an art therapy group using the Zoom room, which is also being used regularly for remote learning and remote therapy for children through Sound Mental Health. They also set up several computer stations in that room for remote school and other virtual access for residents.
Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the survivors at MFP and MSH have been able to stay healthy while accessing the internal and external support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Februrary 24: Storm Gehrke
Every day, Storm Gehrke makes a conscious decision to put on his uniform and risk his life everyday so that the rest of us can lead ours! Storm, a police officer for the Kirkland Police Department has been protecting our community since 2018. When he reached High School and began thinking about his future, he knew he did not want to sit at a desk, hidden behind a computer screen all day. Instead, he wanted to make a positive impact on the Eastside community, that gave so much to him over the years growing up.
Storm enjoys that no two days are the same and the brotherhood aspect of the job. He also loves engaging in conversations with people who might not otherwise feel seen or heard. When being called to a scene, Storm reminds himself that when you treat people with dignity and respect, is it often reciprocated. On and off duty he hopes to change the public’s perception of police officers in a positive manner and remind them of all the good police men and women do to make the world a better place. Storm, our city is a better and safer place because of your commitment. Your hard work and time in keeping our community safe does not go unnoticed!
February 10: Krystal Humphres
Krystal grew up in California but decided five years ago that she needed a change of pace and enjoyed rainy weather, so she planted roots here in the Pacific Northwest. She earned her Associates Degree in Social Services and a Bachelors Degree in Business and Marketing.
Krystal soon after began working for Child Protective Services after she graduated college. Her role there was to removed children away from unstable environments. In her duration there, she felt that she couldn’t do “enough good for the kids” and “wanted to be the hero instead of the villain”. It broke her heart seeing children placed back into homes that were unfit living conditions. She decided to take matters into her own hands and began fostering babies who were born to mothers with addiction issues. Once the mother would test positive for narcotics, Krystal would get a call and head straight to the hospital to begin bonding and connecting with the baby. She would bring the baby home from the hospital and work with the mother and her rehab to attempt to get the mother clean and the baby reunified with her. If the mother decides to not work towards sobriety, she works with people who are looking to adopt and helps by easing that transition process.
FEBRUARY 17: Mat Alexander
Mat, a mentor to all who come along his path, is one the kindest, most humble guys you will ever meet. He grew up in Issaquah Washington and attended Issaquah High School prior to enrolling at Washington State University. After graduating college with a degree in Communications he soon realized that his field of interest was actually in technology. Mat then applied for a teaching position at his old high school. He taught students all things network administration and how to properly assemble computers. His teaching did not just stop at that. He taught students the importance of honesty, what it means to have integrity, and how crucial having strong communication skills is.
After years of long commutes, Mat took a temp job at Microsoft, was hired on 9 months later and has been a full-time employee for them for the past 15 years. Having no intentions of meeting his students again, Mat came into contact with them at the Microsoft Campus. All of them grateful for his patience, calm demeanor, and words of encouragement. One of them even works directly on his team. This proved to Mat how everything comes full circle and how people are put into your life for a reason. When asked the question, “what would you say to a young person doubting themselves?”, Mat replied, “ do not give up, fail fast. Apply yourself again”. Mats ability to mentor and guide people from all facets of life, will always be worth celebrating. Thank you Mat, for all the impact you have made on the people in our community!
February 3: Cody Nappen
Cody knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. In high school, while considering his future, he shadowed a nurse working at the UW Medical Center in Seattle, and that’s when he decided to pursue a degree in nursing. Following the daily footsteps of a nurse helped him learn about the career. It also showed him how different facets of the human body are deeply connected, and just how much engaged, compassionate care can impact the healing process.
For Cody, the next step came naturally. He attended Washington State University and graduated with his nursing degree. He accepted his first job at UW Medicine’s Harborview Medical Center, in the intensive care unit. This unit brings unique challenges at any given time, and has been particularly affected by the pandemic. In a space where patients are isolated and struggling to recover, Cody does everything he can to comfort them and ease the experience of being hospitalized. He enjoys meeting new people and hearing their stories, and knows it’s more than just a casual conversation: it is often the exact thing a patient needs to brighten their spirits and help them through one more day of recovery.
March 18: Brad Dickinson
Brad, one of the owners of Pearl Bar & Dining, is a generous and kind community leader. A few years back he reached out and offered to host GGB. Since then Brad and his team at Pearl have hosted 2 events and a coming this March to celebrate GGBs 10 year anniversary. Brad’s career developing restaurants and managing kitchens dates back more than 25 years. As an Executive Chef fills our hearts, and stomachs, with his passion for authentic and rich flavors.
Brad, father of three and one granddaughter, also finds the time to support the Children’s Hospital, The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, St. Joseph’s School, The University of Washington Medical Center, FareStart and Girls Giving Back. Thanks Brad for being a wonderful kindness warrior in our community.
March 11: Reading Rover
I don’t know about you but we love dogs! So how could you not love this non-profit? Reading Rover is a therapy dog reading program. Pairing children and four legged friends to boost young reader’s confidence. The program also partners with other groups to procure thousands of book bags and new books for children in the Puget Sound.
Tons of research on the human and canine bonds show there are a bunch of health benefits for spending quality times with dogs. Studies show that dogs:
Draw attention outward
Turn off anxiety, anger, depression
Create safety
Create intimacy
Increase positive expectations of both self and others
Please join us, in celebration of National Reading Month, by supporting Reading Rover www.readingwithrover.org
February 26: Scott Milburn
Scott joined Girls Giving Back as a volunteer in 2012. Since then he has been a consummate Kindness Warrior and really showed dedication to the GGB mission to change the environment at the shelters we renovate.
At the 2019 Art & Wine auction Scott spoke about his experience supporting GGB and how powerful it is to be able to be part of the change. Thank you Scott for your dedication to transforming our community. We are so proud of you and your Kindness Warrior attitude.
February 20: Gail Omdal
10 years ago Teresa Valley, Girls Giving Back (GGB) Founder, met Gail while she was running Saving Pets One at a Time (SPOT). The work Gail was doing inspired Teresa, friends and a few youth, to give back in a big way and start a non-profit. Gail was a big part of that spark. Since then Gail continues to work full-time in the Burlington School district as a psychologist and continuing her mission to support animals in need at Friends for Life Animal Rescue in Mt Vernon Washington.
Gail continues her mission of Friends For Life Animal Rescue strives to find loving, forever homes for the animals in our care. We cannot say enough about how much we appreciate Gail and her light in this world, she is truly a Kindness Warrior.
January 29: Devin Moore
Devin Moore, founder of #RaceToSpeakUp an anti-bullying organization, is a 15 years old sophomore in high school. After being racially cyber-bullied by three classmates, Devin decided he didn’t want another kid to go through what he went through. The extreme bullying he experienced included photoshopped images with a gun to his head, his face on top of a gorilla suit and his face going into the trash. Devin also received hateful images of a KKK member, a noose and a meme saying “Black People Aren’t Functioning Members of Society.”
Devin is dedicated to getting a state anti-bullying law passed which will keep students safe in schools from bullying and implementing mandatory antibullying classes in schools.
Check out his instagram - @racetospeakup
October 16: Truck of Plenty
Food is often at the center of family time, making memories with friends and foundational to our health and wellbeing. Truck of Plenty 's mission is to feed those in need in the Greater Seattle area. Helping some of most vulnerable community members have access to nutritious food and provide information about other social services such as medical, housing, jobs or job training.
October 9th: DAWN
We can’t say enough to honor and thank DAWN the work they do is hard and so critical for the health of the people they serve and the future of our communities. “DAWN protects women and children from domestic abuse, providing shelter, support and empowerment so they can build secure and happy lives.” With their team of dedicated staff and volunteers they lead toward “the vision of a violence-free future”.
August 27: Megan Wagstaff
Megan Wagstaff, founder of Lady Yum, is a mission driven woman. She has given the community and her employees, fun places to be with friends and enjoy delicious macarons. One of the many reasons Megan is a Kindness Warrior is how she treats her employees - like family and her efforts to build Suicide Awareness. Megan is a long time supported of Girls Giving Back, the community and all those who surround here.
August 21: Maya Ohayon
This lovely soul, is a warrior of health, self-care and overall a bright shining gift to this planet. Maya Ohayon (@sickgirleats) has been sharing about her journey with Lyme disease on her blog, Instagram and Be Kind 5. Her ability to reach out and connect through all of the pain, challenges and share wins - inspires us all!
Thanks for being your authentic self and sharing your journey💕 check out her Instagram at @sickgirleats
July 24: Meenakshi Sinha
Over the last 2.5 years, Meenakshi Sinha vision for giving back, formally known as The Giving Canvas has produced more than 100 paintings. These original works of art have been auctioned and almost $45,000 has been raised for various good causes. Meenakshi reminds that when passion and purpose align we can create a huge impact! Thank you Meenakshi you are an inspirational leader.
Follow The Giving Canvas on Facebook
July 17: Way Back Inn
Way Back Inn’s mission is to “help fight the homeless crisis in our communities by providing low income & homeless families with resources to get them on the path to permanent housing. We provide a safe home for their children so they can focus on getting back on their feet. And we strive to prevent families from becoming homeless by offering utility & rental assistance.”
To learn more about the vital resources they provide visit their website www.way-back-inn.org
June 26: Michelle Williams-Clark
Michelle’s formal titles range from Board Member of the Bellevue Family YMCA to Clinical Social Worker and Consultant on many council/initiatives. She is also a mother, friend and passionate community member tirelessly working on behalf of youth in the community.
Spend more than 15 minutes with Michelle and she is guaranteed to offer encouragement and support; as well inquire about your next steps making sure you know that you can always achieve your goals!
YOU, Michelle, are phenomenal.
June 19: Anita Alokolaro
Anita Alokolaro was an incredible, giving, hard working social worker through out many Seattle shelters including Hopelink and Solid Ground for over 30 years. Her leadership and capacity for giving continues to inspire others; even after her passing in 2016.
Girl’s Giving Back awards a local community member each year, named after Anita, to recognize folks who give back in a big way.
Thank you Anita for your dedication and perseverance, in serving those who needed it the most.
June 5: Cassidy Huff
This weeks Kindness Warrior is the Girls Giving Back 2019 Anita Alokolaro award winner and singer song writer Cassidy Huff. Seventeen year-old, Cassidy, has a very rare disability that has resulted in her having 42 surgeries but that hasn’t stopped her from being a powerful Kindness Warrior.
Cassidy is a very active member of the community and was named Burien’s Citizen of the Year in 2016! She earned this honor by noticing a need at her middle school and fundraising on her own for iPads to support fellow classmates she was tutoring that were non-verbal.
She has performed on many stages all over the world for a variety of causes. Including Dolby Theater in LA, Lincoln Center in NYC and even in London. She spends much of her free time actively giving back to Seattle Children’s, Make A Wish foundation and various other causes.
May 22: F Factor & Ruby Room
This Kindness Warrior Wednesday shout out goes to F Factor and the Ruby Room for their continued to support of foster and at risk youth in the Puget Sound area and we will continue to share their missions. Empower youth through fashion.
April 24: Jessica Dahl
Jessica Dahl is dedicated to serving the community and uses her passion to ignite fellow Kindness Warriors to do the same. In May of 2015 she and fellow warriors founded the Beyond Projects and by September 2015 they served over 4,000 individuals including men, women and children with over 5500 haircuts and other beauty services, with over 500 volunteers, and worked with over 20 non-profit agencies.
The Beyond Project Los Angeles launched in September 2016 and partnered with LA Youth Network and Freedom & Fashion. Shorlty after the Beyond Projects in Chicago in October 2017 and international Beyond Projects in Spring & Fall of 2017.
In short she is a powerhouse.
Just this year she released her book -Lead Your Whole Life. The book was inspired by her journey running a non-profit “having a non profit I poured my life into and trying to do my best to love and please others, I, myself was depleted, tired and running on empty. It was hard to keep my head above water because I found myself wanting to be ‘everything to everyone”.
May 15: Cocoon House
More than 34% of the total homeless population is under the age of 24. Cocoon House is a non-profit that conducts outreach to, and provides short and long term housing for homeless and at-risk young people, including their children. Parents of teens can also find support for themselves and their families at Cocoon House so that young people do not become homeless.
April 10: The Settle Family
Jim is an Air Force Special Operations veteran. His job in the military was to save lives during combat in Afghanistan as well as search and rescue in Alaska. He received a Purple Heart during his deployment. Shannon jumped into their marriage, after Jim was medically retired, taking on an extra role as a wife in addition to her role as Jim's caregiver to make sure he receives the best care for his injuries. She also stepped up as a stepmom striving to be a positive mother role model for Jim's son, James. James is a happy 10 year old with a gigantic heart and witty sense of humor who genuinely cares about others and aims to do good in the world.
Together this family values spending quality time with one another. Including their two dogs and two cats. Life has taught them that the only thing guaranteed is today, therefore they focus on making the most of it.
Giving back to family, friends and community is important to The Settle's. They feel blessed by the love and support they have received, especially during times of struggle getting back up on their feet when life pushed them down. Whether it be helping their neighbor out of their driveway when snowed in, watching a friend's child when they no one else can or volunteering with the local nursery to plant new trees, their goal is to pay forward kindness.
May 8: Solid Ground
Solid Ground believes poverty is solvable and it is inspirational!
Combining direct services with community-based advocacy. Working to support individuals and undo racism and other oppressions that create barriers – so everyone can achieve their full potential.
April 3: Pam & Emma Bolig
When Pam Bolig's daughter Emma was 3, they started attending a Co-Op preschool together and over the next 3 years they both enjoyed how much the village and community became a part of their lives. This environment fostered kindness for others and helped kids begin to look at the world around them with greater awareness. During that time Emma once saw a homeless encampment while driving and at that moment declared that when she grew up she would build homes for those who didn't have them and she would also create art to go in them to make the people happy. This made Pam, who is an Architect and Artist, so happy to see her daughter connect the dots of love. Just a few short years later Emma's dream has begun it's journey has they both have been able to create art to help with the Girls Giving Back shelter projects and they have seen their fund raising efforts come full circle to help hands on to decorate a shelter home for a single Mom with 2 young children. Empathy for others and the earth, spending as much time as possible in nature, sharing love through art and creating community are things that bring them joy. They are both excited to become Kindness Warriors with Be Kind 5 and to explore more ways to connect and give back.
March 27: Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
This amazing organization make giving back to the planet simple, fun and informative. Their website has lots of easy ways to get involved and the day of staff are great about teaching you all the tricks to the trade. “The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust leads and inspires action to conserve and enhance the landscape from Seattle across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature.” Visit their website to learn more about how to get involved.
March 20: Wild Wolf Mama & the Cubs
The power is in the pack Kindness Warriors! It's Kindness Warrior Wednesday and this week we are excited to recognize Wild Wolf Mama and her pack of cubs. This pack makes a huge paw print on their community, planet and the lives of all they meet. Volunteering, mobilizing their families in philanthropy, leaving words of encouragement tucked in library books and so much more.
Kory Cee also teaches VETOGA, dance and gives the best hugs!
Thank you for being you! Thank you for all you do!
March 13: Kaitlyn
As a teenager, I feel like I have a unique perspective on kindness. My generation is generally regarded as very apathetic and unaware of the world around us, but really it's the opposite. We are at such a pivotal point in our lives and we know acutely what it feels like to not experience kindness, so we are more apt to give it than most people want to acknowledge. That's why my organization is entirely youth-led.
My nonprofit, Tomorrow's Warriors, is dedicated to changing the way society perceives disability. And at its core, my mission is to spread kindness and empathy. Through school and just being out and about, I have seen the flaws in the way we think about disability. It makes me sick to see people I care about treated with such a lack of kindness because of something that society deems undesirable. I decided I needed to do something about it, and that's how Tomorrow’s Warriors came to be.
March 6: Kalika
Our Kindness Warrior this week is Kalika, "Humble" is her middle name, Curry, co-founder of the Be Kind 5 movement. Kalika Curry is a vessel of love, kindness and giving back. She is a mom, beyond dedicated to raising her 3 kids, inspiring them in her everyday life. Her kindness warrior mission is to show them how to use their voice, advocating for things they love and leaving things better than you found them.
This Kindness Warrior co-created Be Kind 5 movement to make this world a better place and we love having her on Team BK5!
February 27: Stephanie
This Warrior does amazing work as a volunteer for Wayback Inn & Girls Giving Back (GGB). Her contributions are thoughtful, unique in addressing the individual needs of families and our community.
We interviewed Stephanie and this is what she had to say:
"Kindness to strangers~ I noticed someone in a car handing out a sandwich to someone standing on a corner with a sign asking for help. Seeing someone be kind in their way also inspires others. It inspired me to put a few things together for when I see an opportunity. One small blanket rolled with a comb, hand warmers, poncho & granola bar was what I decided on for winter. A small box in the car holds these items and they are easy to grab and pass out quickly. Caring doesn’t have to be cash. Thoughtfulness is connecting and saying even though I may not know how to help you, I care. Kindness counts."
February 20: Mary
It's Kindness Warrior Wednesday! We want to shout out Mary Pratt Rackers. Thank you for giving back, being generous and intentional. We appreciate you!
During this year's Snowmaggedon Mary rolled up her sleeves and shoveled snow for her neighbors. It took some effort and the return was even bigger.
Get out there today and make your neighborhood a safer place.