“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama 

Sometimes it may feel that the world we live in is riddled with hate, negativity, and uncaring, rude individuals. People are all out for themselves without regard to how they treat others or how their actions can impact someone else. In reality though, there are far more good and generous people than there are bad. We might have heard of feel-good stories of how a stranger paid for someone’s groceries or how a good Samaritan saved a stranded kitten in the middle of the highway. I myself witnessed a beautiful act of kindness recently toward a homeless woman who hangs around a local pharmacy store that I frequent. It was during that cold front that we just experienced where it dipped near the 40’s, and a gentleman got out of his car to give the lady a sweater and a blanket. Acts of kindness are all around us and we must continue to instill these values in our children and youth.  

According to the Mayo Clinic, kindness means harboring a spirit of helpfulness, as well as being generous and considerate, and doing so without expecting anything in return. It’s been proven that kindness is good for the body, mind, and soul.  

Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade is participating in the Kindness Week Campaign taking place from February 14-18, 2022 and is asking Miami-Dade County schools to promote and apply “acts of kindness” throughout their campus that week. Some examples of kindness activities that students can conduct are: 

• Create kindness posters with slogans and post them throughout the school. 
• Set up a thank you note station. 
• Get things rolling with a Kindness Counts Night where families can make cards for local nursing homes or hospitals, assemble blessing bags for homeless shelters, and donate items to families in need. 
• Kick up that school spirit wear with some school kind wear, perhaps wearing blue shirts (our YCW official color) to show that students are proud to be kind. 

• Post on social media with the hashtag #ycwkindness. 

Researchers have found that children who exhibit behaviors such as being cooperative, helpful, emphatic, and nice are more likely to stay in school, avoid criminal activity, avoid drug or alcohol abuse, and have better mental health as adults.  

As parents and caregivers, we should be teaching children about kindness and empathy towards others by developing healthy, loving relationships, being strong moral role models, and making caring for others a priority. Emphasize being kind and taking extra steps to brighten somebody’s day. Being kind and compassionate towards others may give our children the incentive to become leaders in building healthier, safer, and more peaceful communities.  

“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi  

For more information on the Kindness Week Campaign or for a copy of the YCW Kindness Week Campaign flyer, please contact our office at 305-470-1670.  

Until next time, be aware, make good choices, and be safe! 

 Written By: Alina Lopez