Stand Up for Kindness is a community-wide bullying prevention initiative to remember the power of kindness. This initiative began as a collaboration of the Santa Fe Public Schools, the Santa Fe Interfaith Leadership Alliance and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Deanery. Stand Up for Kindness encourages children and adults to shift from Bystander to Upstander.
Bullying is a serious problem impacting all of our children and youth. The SFPS Health and Wellness Survey reported that 48% of 7th graders and 38% of 9th graders have experienced bullying in the past year. There is a significant impact to the emotional well-being of all those involved in the cycle of bullying.
A key component of any best practice bullying prevention program is to engage the Bystander (someone who stands by and watches) to become “Upstanders” who have the courage in the face of injustice, bullying and unkind behaviors to take a stand for self and others. By taking a positive approach (standing up for kindness) we believe that we can motivate children and adults to step up and stop bullying in our community.
Stand Up for Kindness was featured in a documentary “Bystanders Ending Bullying” which won an Emmy in the current affairs, community category and was aired on prime time television. Debra Bryant and the SWAT (Student Wellness Action Team) students were also interviewed on a live morning television show about this initiative.