May 27, 2025 • 27 mins
Kindness Summit 2025: An incredible day of Leadership, Learning, and Taking Action! iHeart Radio's Lisa Foxx was honored to host the first ever Kindness Summit, at the Panda Restaurant Headquarters in Rosemead in April. It was a full-day event that brought together youth, educators, changemakers, and community leaders to focus on a shared mission: leading with kindness to inspire a more connected, compassionate future. More than 450 teens from 10 different Boys & Girls Clubs across California attended the summit, including youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of La Habra and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. The energy, enthusiasm, and commitment these young leaders brought to the event set the stage for a powerful day of learning and action.
Aired May 25, 2025: In this podcast: Lisa Foxx interviews Nathaniel, a Kindness Ambassador and Lori Milgard, the Founder of the Kindness Is Free program, powered by the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside. Kindness is Free wants to empower the next generation by teaching kindness and bringing awareness to its importance in the equal treatment, respect, and compassion for others. Through presentations, pop-ups, and special Kindness Pledge events, the movement is spreading the message of respect and kindness to the Greater Los Angeles area and inspiring youth to take charge.
Please join us in empowering young people and ALL people to embrace this program and help make the world a KINDER PLACE 🙂 To find out more, request a Kindness Is Free pop-up event (at no cost to you) and or to download the toolkit AND Kindness Is Free PLEDGE...click HERE
Aired May 25, 2025: In this podcast: Lisa Foxx interviews Nathaniel, a Kindness Ambassador and Lori Milgard, the Founder of the Kindness Is Free program, powered by the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside. Kindness is Free wants to empower the next generation by teaching kindness and bringing awareness to its importance in the equal treatment, respect, and compassion for others. Through presentations, pop-ups, and special Kindness Pledge events, the movement is spreading the message of respect and kindness to the Greater Los Angeles area and inspiring youth to take charge.
Please join us in empowering young people and ALL people to embrace this program and help make the world a KINDER PLACE 🙂 To find out more, request a Kindness Is Free pop-up event (at no cost to you) and or to download the toolkit AND Kindness Is Free PLEDGE...click HERE
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, It's Lisa Fox and this is the iHeart So
Cal Show Today. Talk about the importance of kindness, not
just being kind, but teaching young people how important it
is to be kind and to spread it. It's also
the goal of the Kindness's Free program that's powered by
the Boys and Girls Club, especially where it started at
(00:21):
the Boys Girls Club at West San Gabriel Valley and
East Side. The Kindness Is Free program is all about
empowering the next generation by teaching kindness and bringing awareness
to its importance in the equal treatment, respect and compassion
for others. They do this through pop ups and special
Kindness Pledge events and the movement has been spreading spreading
(00:42):
the message of respect and kindness all of our Southern
California for the past five years since the program began,
and the goal is just for more and more young
people to embrace it and to spread it. We had
a huge Kindness Is Free Summit that I was so
honored to host. We had about four hundred kids from
a different Boys and Girls chapters from all over Southern California.
(01:03):
We had speakers, we had Panda Express, we had games
and prizes and very important conversations about the importance of
being kind and spreading it. And one of our speakers
is a regular. He's the Kindness is Free Ambassador and
absolute favorite and so well spoken, and I want to
have him on to talk about how he feels about
(01:24):
this whole Kindness is Free movement and why it's so
important to him. Hy Nathaniel, Hello, thank you. How many
years have you been involved with the Boys and Girls Club?
How many years now?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Honestly, it has been too many to count. I remember
being at the club since like second grade, since I
was a little kid, So to be honest with you,
I can't even count the years.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
And now you're growing up. How young are you now?
Speaker 2 (01:44):
I'm currently sixteen, soon to be seventeen in a round
two months.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Love it early, Happy birthday? And so how did this
cell stirve for you? How did you become a Kindness
is Free Ambassador?
Speaker 2 (01:56):
So I remember when the Kindness is Free program first
started in twenty twenty. I was there at the first
meeting and it started off as a simple all let's
do a part cleanup, and through the decisions of Laurie
Milgard and j R. Zubac, they wanted to create a
reminder about what kindness really was and this was about respect,
(02:16):
equality and compassion. So that's when they made those three pillars.
Then we kind of turned it into a whole pledge
and we made it our deal that whoever takes the
pledge becomes an official Kindness Ambassador. And I remember my
first time taking the pledge a few years ago is
when I was first invited to be the Kindness Ambassador
(02:38):
of the Boys and Girls Club Kindness is Free program.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Mm hmm, and gosh, it seems like now this is
your way of life as a Kindness is Free Ambassador.
Why is this become Why is it so important to
you to be involved with this?
Speaker 2 (02:51):
In my personal experience, I believe that people do best
through kindness and treating others as if they were your
own family and friends. I believe that the values of
kindness truly resonate with me between respect, the quality compassion.
And I believe that through respect, the quality compassion, everybody
(03:12):
can rejoice as a community and we can achieve the
most goals and accomplishments through that.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
I love that, and your family must be so proud,
right they know you're not getting in trouble. You're out
there spreading kindness. That's a good thing.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I've been teaching them a few things or too, especially
my brother.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
I bet well, you know, hey, a lot of people
need to be reminded about the power of kindness. It's
a beautiful thing.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Now, at the end of the day, we're really trying
to reach as many people as possible. It's not just
the kids, but at the end of the day, we're
trying to get everybody into Yeah, but everybody in general.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I really believe that there's really a stigma regarding like kindness,
and I believe that by spreading this message of positivity
to others, we can get people to be more comfortable
to spread kindness within others in the community. And I
believe that just keep moving forward and to keep pushing
our message will end up getting people to be on
(04:06):
our side and ultimately connect with others likewise.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah. So what okay, Nathaniel, So what are your favorite
ways to spread kindness? What are your favorite ways? How
do you practice kindness and share it with others?
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I always say this. I said this at the summit,
and it was three others as if they were my
family and friends. And to ultimately notice the small things
that people put effort into a lot of the times
when I'm meeting new people, I'll try my best to
mention something about maybe an outfit that they put on,
or something that maybe others might have not noticed. Anytime
(04:40):
that this happens, they always say, oh, thank you. I
put a lot of effort into this, And I believe
that that's been one of my ways of spreading positivity.
When it comes to people that I'm getting to know
more and more, I want to treat them as if
they were my brother, treat them as if I have
known them my whole life, and it gives a better
sense of relationship and a better sense of respect between others.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
I love that. And you know, at the Kindness as
Free Summit, we talked a lot about making sure young
people know and all people know that being kind isn't
a weakness. Being kind is a strength, Being kind as courageous,
and especially as a young person. You know, it's like,
how do we show how do we show people to
embrace kindness and be empowered by it.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
It's almost like it's almost like being superman being kindness.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, kindness is a superpower. Yeah, Now, Nathaniel, since the Summit,
are our good friend, host, Say Hossuey, the chief Kindness officer,
He gave everyone an assignment, and so you were being
challenged to kind of put together a kindness assignment, right,
a kindness project? Yes, how's that going? Because that was
(05:50):
four hundred kids in the room who were challenged to
come up with a kindness project, which I love. That's
a lot of new kindness ambassadors that will be out
there with that magic and action. But how is your
project going so far?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It's been It's been a really good process. I remember
when they were mentioning that at the summit. Our project
was to come up with a way that we can
spread kindness within our own community, and a lot of
the people I know at my club have been brainstorming
different ways that they can do it and putting it
into action. I love the support that we've received from
our staff as well. They've been helpful to allow us
(06:28):
come up with ideas and put our thoughts into actions.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
I love it. I love that. And by the way,
there's so much information on the website Kindness is Free
dot org. Kindness is free dot org again power through
the Boys and Girls Club Western Gable Valley east Side.
But really, the founders of the Kindness is Free program.
Want everyone to get on board, hopefully all the schools,
you know, schools, churches, anyone who's interested in learning more
about the program. It's all about taking the pledge, which,
(06:55):
by the way, we should do the pledge in a second, Nathaniel.
But it's about taking the pledge to be kind. It's
about supporting the movement of being kind. And also you
can download the toolkit right there on the website kindness
Isfree dot org, so you can also learn furthermore how
the program works and how you can also everyone listening
also become like Nathaniel, a Kindness is Free ambassador and
(07:17):
proudly do the pledge and wear it like a badge
of honor and spread it every chance you get. I
think we should do the pledge when while we wrap
this up, are you ready for it?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Yeah, I'll be happy to leave the pledge. Okay, let's
go for it to everyone listening. We start by putting
our right hand up, so I'll give everyone a sec
to do that, and you'll repeat after me. I pleasure
to show respect to others.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
I pledge you show respect to others.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
I pleasure to treat others as I wish to be treated.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I pledge to treat others as I wish to be treated.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
And I pledge to be compassionate.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
And I pledge to be compassionate.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
And you know it, just for today, let's do Let's
do another one. Okay, I pleasure to do. Pleasure to
do one kindak every day.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Oh that is big. I pledge to do one kind
act every day, no matter how big or small. It's
just important that you do it, you think about it,
and knowing whomever else you touch. Even if it's a
secret thing that somebody doesn't, you don't have to take
credit for it, you know what I mean. Even it's
a little gesture, a little some nice you do for
a stranger or anybody, somebody at work, somebody at school.
(08:19):
They don't even have to know that it came from you,
but just that something that's nice, some of that's kind
that would make them smile, right, make their heart smile,
make their face smile, and make them just feel good.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Right, Little actions, of course.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Little actions of kindness they do, they do well. Nathaniel.
We're also proud of you and so proud to have
you such an important part of this program. So keep
on spreading that kindness. And I'm sure I'll see you
at the next event or something super fun soon. I
know they always, you know, get us all together. And
I love seeing you and so proud to watch you
grow up over the years and do this incredible work
(08:53):
and spread that kindness out there. So yay, Nathaniel, Thank
you buddy. I'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Pleasure to talk to you today. I'm really grateful for that.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
I hope, I hope I can see you soon.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Yes, me too, me too, All right, bye, all right,
bye bye.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
I have a good day.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
Ah.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
He's the best. What a great guy. Okay. As we
continue on conversation about the importance of being kind and
spreading kindness, how about the founder of the Kindness Is
Free program. She took an idea and made it a thing,
and these kids and their families are really responding. Kindness
is Free powered by the Boys and Girls clubs especially
(09:33):
We're it originated the Boys and Girls Club of West
and Gable Valley and East Side. This remarkable program spearheaded
by visionary Lori Millguard. Hi Laurie, She's on the line
with us, Hi.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Lori, Hi.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Spearheaded by Lori Millgard and the club CEO of JR Zubac.
It's become a movement. We're making this a movement. We
are working together. We have a growing team and network
of people making kindness a movement. And it's really just
to make the world a better place. What a gift
to make the world a better place by focusing focusing
on spreading kindness, and that's what Laurie has created this
(10:06):
incredible program. We are fresh off our first ever Kindness
is Free summit that happened with over four hundred kids
in person. We just heard from Nathaniel, one of our
kindest ambassadors, and you know, we're doing this on the
radio so that we can get more and more people
involved in spreading kindness. And Laurie, it's going to make
you feel good how huge it's already gotten in just
(10:26):
the past few years, thousands and thousands and thousands of
kids nationwide.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Yeah, you know, I'm overjoyed with where this program has gone.
I think we have you know, kids are willing and
ready and that's what makes it easy. You know, this,
this program was something that I thought about back in
twenty twenty. You know, I had thought to when I
was younger and just the climate out there and how peaceful,
and you know, there wasn't a lot of bullying, and
(10:54):
or nearly as much. There was a little bit, but
I just felt like could make a little bit of
a difference if we kind of went back to the
way it used to be, where there was respect and
kindness and you know, where people walked around maybe with
a little smile on their face. And now we have
the road rage and the rioting and just various things
that really aren't okay. And I feel that if everyone
(11:18):
was just kind to each other, a lot of this
would go away. We've just kind of lost our way
with things, and I'd like to get back there. And
I think the best way to do it is to
start with the kids. So they start off on the
right foot. You know, they can mentor their peers, their parents,
their siblings, And so that's kind of how it came about.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Well, and look watching the news. We know we watched
the news. It's scrolling on our phones. I mean, it's
a lot. It can be a lot of soul sucking,
negativity and bad things that are happening in the world.
And so to kind of create a program teaches kindness
to all who are open to embracing it. You know,
Laura teamed up with the boys and Girls clubs specifically,
(12:01):
it started with the westing Able Valley and East Side.
Then there's a number of clubs who have truly embraced
this and teach it to the kids. But you know
how about LAUSD. We want schools, we want churches to
embrace all the ways. The Kindness is Free program teaches
kindness and they teach it for free. They'll come to
your school, they'll come to your business, they'll come to
wherever you are open to embracing this and explain what
(12:24):
they're all about, just to teach, just to make the
world a better place. How great is that? Kindnesssfree dot
org is the website Kindness free dot org. They can
explain how it works when you ask young people and
any person to take the Kindness is Free Pledge. So
you take a pledge, you pledge to be kind. Kind
of make it a little more official by pledging, raising
up your right hand and pledging to be kind and
(12:46):
pledging to spread kindness. You can support the movement. There's
ways they can show you how to support the movement
and also download a toolkit where they have an actual
curriculum where you can help teach kindness and your own settings,
so lots of ways get involved and help make a
difference by being kind and teaching and preaching exactly that.
And Laura Milgard the visionary and founder of this program,
(13:08):
and also that the funder of this program. Thus far,
you've also had some really unique opportunities to kind of
get the message out there and bigger ways too.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
We had some great opportunities. We were contacted by the
Rose Parade, so we had an opportunity to have a boat.
This will be this year, will be our third year.
We decided to do a carnival to just let the
kids have some fun. We ended up calling at the
Kindness Carnival. It was an idea I had because I
don't think a lot of kids get the opportunity to
go to carnivals, and I did as a kid, and
(13:38):
so wanted to them have that opportunity as well. And
then we kind of created the carnival around kindness. And
so we're just trying to get momentum. I think we're
trying to get momentum in the schools. We'd like to
see some schools, even if they hang a banner in
their hallway, and that says be kind. It just plants
a seed. It just makes each kid that walks by
(14:00):
that something to think about. This is something that is
going to take time. It's so such a simple concept.
But I think some of us have lost our way.
I think most people are born kind and I think
we just forget, we get busy, we get crazy. I think,
you know, social media has changed a lot of the
lives of young people. We didn't have that distraction growing up,
(14:24):
and there's a lot of negativity on there and I'm
just hoping to get back to a little bit of
kindness in our communities. I think it's it's like I said,
it's just not like it used to be when I
was younger.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Absolutely, kindness is free. You know, through presentations, pop ups
and special Kindness Pledge events, the movement is spreading the
message of respect and kindness to the greater Los Angeles
area and the goal is to inspire young people. Let's
break down this Kindness is Free summit that we just
had over four hundred kids from all of usun California.
We came together. I was honored as a Kindness is
(15:01):
Free Hall of Famer. Thanks to you. Thank you for
including me in the family. I love being a part
of this family with the Boys and Girls Club. The
Kindness is Free family and kindness is very important to
me and in my heart, and I love seeing these
kids loving doing it and loving being a part of it.
So I was very grateful to be able to host
the Kindness Is Free Summit. We had incredible speakers and
(15:23):
opened up with you and our kids so kind of
break down how the day went, and then how we think,
you know, where do we go? Where do we go
from there?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Well, we get a survey with the kids of how
many kids have seen bullying at this summit. We've seen
how many have been bullied, how many have stood by
and watched, And the numbers were staggering. And I think
it helped the kids to see these numbers and realized
that they weren't alone, but probably the person sitting next
to them experienced the same kind of thing. And I
think kids are realizing it feels good to be kind
(15:55):
and it feels good when kindness is shown to you.
And I think this summit was fun because there were
so many, many of them and they were from all
over the We had some kids that came down from Bakersfield. Yeah,
so it was a big commitment. We had, you know,
our hall of famers Lisa Yu, which you know, you
set the example for our kids. You're kind, you lead
that in your in your professional life and I'm sure
(16:16):
in your personal life. And these kids looked up to
people like you and the various other speakers that we
had there, and so thank you.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
You know.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
I think, honestly we are lucky to have have you
involved in the program and to set the example for
the kids, because I think kids are paying attention to
their to their superiors for sure.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Well look, I'd like to say, like myself and many
of my colleagues, it's about using your platform to do
good the power and that is exciting. And we have
a lot of fun things that out at a radio station,
but also using it to do good. And I love
hosting this show, The Iheartsokel Show, which Airson seven iHeart
Stations then later is posted on our podcast, by the way,
(16:57):
The iHeart Sokel Show. Thanks listening. We use this whole
time that we have together every Sunday to spread the
word about good things that are happening in our communities,
wonderful charities, people who work so hard to raise money
and make a difference and do great things. And we
all should try to be a better example for young
(17:18):
people and for each other. And that's why I love
talking about this program. Kindnessfree dot org is the website
to get more involved, to make it more top of mind,
take the gosstar and pledge already. Kindness is free dot org.
So many great ways we can all work together to
be more kind and to spread it regularly well.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
And it's so easy when you think about it. When
you wake up in the morning, you have a choice.
Am I going to have a good day or a
bad day? And I think if you can go out
there with a good mindset, I'm going to be kind.
When I'm in the grocery store, purposely smile at people.
If somebody is looking at me, I smile, and I
would say ninety nine percent of the time they smile back.
We're just lost in thought, we're lost in our phones,
(17:57):
we're lost in all sorts of things. So there's a
lot waves of being kind and doing nice things for people.
It really doesn't cost anything. We're all capable of doing it.
And that's what I'm just hoping everyone out there will
start doing.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
You know, I like to connect with strangers in the
elevator because you know, elevator can be like awkward, awkward,
So I'm like, I don't want to make it awkward.
I just like find a moment to you know, what's
your what floor are you going to? Or oh hey,
or you know, nice like even a compliment, as long
as it's genuine having little idle chit chat, you know,
with people in the elevator, or you know, we're in
a big corporate building so we see people from other
(18:31):
floors we don't know, and just kind of fun in
the morning, kicking the day off, or at the end
of the day when everyone's like whoo, happy hour, who's ready,
you know, just to have a little moment, or even
walking in the neighborhood, a lot of people have stopped
saying good morning or Hi there. You know your neighbors
are out walking their dogs, say hi. Don't be afraid
to make eye contact, give a wave, Hi there. Just
(18:53):
feels good. Look at your hair looking good today, you're
rocking it. You know, just little I don't know, like
a moment to just share a little love to a stranger.
It feels good to do it and you know they're like, oh,
that was nice. You know, they're touched by it.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
And I don't think you know, I don't think we
know what's going on in people's lives and that one
compliment of I like what you're wearing, or you know,
we might be thinking it, but we forget to say it.
You know, it's just the thought we have and by
vocalizing it, it could change up person's day. And that's
what it's all about. It's about taking action, smiling, saying hello,
(19:27):
I like what you're wearing. I mean, it's just very
simple then having kind.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Thoughts opening the door, opening the door for somebody, or
you know, little things like a secretly treat for the
person behind you in the drive through line of Starbucks
or seven eleven, or just like a little I don't know,
a little ways to do a little something for somebody.
It just feels good, whether you purchase something or just
a gesture or have a moment, it's all beautiful.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
And it feels good on your end too. That's the
funny thing is we always think it's fun to receipt,
but when you give, I mean, it's just as a
good feeling. It's not better.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
I think, however, you do it, doing nice things for
other people, being kind to other people feel so good
that it truly just inspires you to want to do
it more. It just what we want, more people being
nice to each other, being kind to each other. I
was in a seven eleven the other day and I
saw a guy looked a little down on his luck.
And I didn't hear what was going on, but I
(20:20):
just heard him say to the guy that the clerk, oh,
you know what, I guess I'll come back later. And
I come up and I said what was that all about?
And he said, oh, he couldn't afford as like a
gatorade and a bag of chips. And I said, well,
I'll do it. I'll do it, and so you know,
I added it to my tab and bought it and
chase after him, and he was so shocked, and you know,
(20:40):
I was like, what's the harm in That didn't cost
the gazillion dollars to do something nice, and his smile
and surprise made it totally worth it, And he might.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
Think about doing something nice to somebody because of that
gructure that you did for him. So I think it's
definitely a domino effect as well, boy, I'd.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Like to think so. And you know, Laurie, going back
to the kind of says free summit, one of our
speakers was talking a lot to the kids. You know,
we had four hundred kids there at the Panda Express headquarters,
and seemed like one of the main topics was kids
expressing a bit of stress or problems with how they're
treated online. You know, people dming them, people being me
to them, people are you know, writing mean comments on
(21:19):
all these apps are available, whether it's TikTok or Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat.
You know, just essentially it's cyberbullying. And they were asking
for tools to deal with that. And the guy was like,
block and report, block and report, get them out, block, report, ignore, block, report, ignore, Like,
don't even feed it, don't even give it energy.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Well, I think a lot of times when there is
controversy or somebody is reaching out or lashing out or anything,
and you your response is positive, it changes their their behavior.
They want you to fight back. They want there to
be a battle, and when you're not battling, it kind
of defeats their purpose. When I was in second grade,
I got some eyeglasses and the first day I wore
(22:01):
him to school. I got teased, and I came home
and I told my mom I didn't want to wear
them anymore because the kids were teasing me at school.
And she said that you're going to go back there
tomorrow and you're going to wear them, but you're not
going to respond to they're teasing. And I promise you
they will quit because you're not pushing back.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Sure enough. The minute I went back and I didn't
respond to them, they never teased me again because.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
They get bored with it. They're like, oh, this isn't working.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
You wanted something, they wanted me to shop it, or
please don't do that, or that hurts my feelings, and
or cross didn't say anything. So sometimes silence is good too,
just not to respond at all.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
And look, the old saying still rings true. Kill them
with kindness, focus on you and the person that you
want to be in this world. Laurie's program, Kindness is Free.
Kindness is Free dot org is the website for all
the information her program. You know, she teamed up with
all these boys and girls clubs. Wants to get this
out to more and more schools, more and more people, churches,
any group. It's open to embracing how their kindness is free.
(22:59):
Program works encouraging people to take the pledge supporting the movement,
downloading the toolkit, they'll actually show you a curriculum to
teach kindness to young people and others. We just want
this to spread to as many people as possible and
have it be more talked about and examples done more regularly,
and just for kindness to be more top of mind
(23:19):
and for it to be expressed and acted upon on
the regular All the infl right is just right there.
Kindness is free dot work right.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
They can tie up to have our kind of team
comes at their school. And I think it's thirty minutes,
it's not very long, and it is something that might
change a few lives. And that's what we're trying to
do with a program.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
And again showing examples to young people that kindness. Being
kind is cool, Being kind is empowering, Being kind should
and could help you just be a great person and
even better person.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
Well, I think especially with older kids, I think being
cool matters when you're in high school, and I think
with the younger ones they're all pretty much on the
even playing field. But when you get older, you know
you want to be at the cool group. Why can't
you do as the kind cool group. Yeah, I mean
I think that is kind of another angle we're trying,
because you know, there's a lot of popular groups, and
(24:13):
if the popular groups are kind of the not popular groups,
then it just becomes one big group. Then there aren't
aren't divisions and there aren't kids feeling left out, and
so I think that's definitely a direction we like to
go so that everybody's included and everybody's treated the same.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Well, we know everyone of the Boys and Girls Club
loves the kind of sys free program, bet teachers more
and more teachers would love it too. If there are
students were even more kind to them and kind.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
To each other, more pleasant an environment. It's a win
win when you think about it. If the kids are
respectful and kind of their teachers, it's going to be
a much more positive experience for everybody in that room.
And I think when teachers are and vice versa for
the teachers. I think that's why I think schools are
so important, because it's just a win win and it
doesn't cost the school anything. But we just need to
(25:03):
get back to those days where you know, we couldn't
talk back to the teachers. We didn't have our phones
where we were reading them during class. We you know,
there's a respecting of involved in the kindness too that
we'd like to kind of get back to where kids
are respectful and if they're kind, pretty much respect is
going to follow.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
And let's start today. People start today. Do something kind
or say something nice to someone today, right.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
It could be the littlest thing. Just smile at somebody,
wave at somebody. We're all capable, Yes.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Do it today. Like I can't see you right now, Laurie,
but you look beautiful today. You look beautiful.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
Thank you, Yes, you do too. That's a little pat online.
I see.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
That's what the Kindness Is Free program is all about.
They want to empower the next generation my teaching kindness
and bringing awareness to its importance in the equal treatment, respect,
and compassion for others. Through their presentations, pop ups, and
special Kinds Pledge events, the movement is spreading to more
and more people. We're all about it. They provide young
(26:05):
people with tools, resources, and engagements to better understand the
meaning of kindness and help shape the next generation's values
while improving their social and emotional behavior with kindness The hope,
of course, is for more individuals and more institutions nationwide
to join us in promoting kindness by implementing Kindness is Free,
(26:26):
programming and teaching young people about the importance of equal treatment,
respect and consideration of others. Thank you, Lori Millgard, Thank
you Jr. Zubach and Scott and Joust Sway and Curtis
and everyone there at the Boys Girls Club at West
San Gabriel Valley. Thank you for all that you do
as a team, a growing team of Kindness Ambassadors spread
(26:49):
the word, hopeing that this really truly becomes a way
of life for more and more and more people. All
the information, get involved, Come on, take the pledge, support
the movement, download the whole kid all the info. Kindnesses
free dot org. Kindness is free dot org.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
Thank you Lory, thank you Lisa. I just it's been
a joy.
Hi, It's Lisa Fox and this is the iHeart So
Cal Show Today. Talk about the importance of kindness, not
just being kind, but teaching young people how important it
is to be kind and to spread it. It's also
the goal of the Kindness's Free program that's powered by
the Boys and Girls Club, especially where it started at
(00:21):
the Boys Girls Club at West San Gabriel Valley and
East Side. The Kindness Is Free program is all about
empowering the next generation by teaching kindness and bringing awareness
to its importance in the equal treatment, respect and compassion
for others. They do this through pop ups and special
Kindness Pledge events and the movement has been spreading spreading
(00:42):
the message of respect and kindness all of our Southern
California for the past five years since the program began,
and the goal is just for more and more young
people to embrace it and to spread it. We had
a huge Kindness Is Free Summit that I was so
honored to host. We had about four hundred kids from
a different Boys and Girls chapters from all over Southern California.
(01:03):
We had speakers, we had Panda Express, we had games
and prizes and very important conversations about the importance of
being kind and spreading it. And one of our speakers
is a regular. He's the Kindness is Free Ambassador and
absolute favorite and so well spoken, and I want to
have him on to talk about how he feels about
(01:24):
this whole Kindness is Free movement and why it's so
important to him. Hy Nathaniel, Hello, thank you. How many
years have you been involved with the Boys and Girls Club?
How many years now?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Honestly, it has been too many to count. I remember
being at the club since like second grade, since I
was a little kid, So to be honest with you,
I can't even count the years.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
And now you're growing up. How young are you now?
Speaker 2 (01:44):
I'm currently sixteen, soon to be seventeen in a round
two months.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Love it early, Happy birthday? And so how did this
cell stirve for you? How did you become a Kindness
is Free Ambassador?
Speaker 2 (01:56):
So I remember when the Kindness is Free program first
started in twenty twenty. I was there at the first
meeting and it started off as a simple all let's
do a part cleanup, and through the decisions of Laurie
Milgard and j R. Zubac, they wanted to create a
reminder about what kindness really was and this was about respect,
(02:16):
equality and compassion. So that's when they made those three pillars.
Then we kind of turned it into a whole pledge
and we made it our deal that whoever takes the
pledge becomes an official Kindness Ambassador. And I remember my
first time taking the pledge a few years ago is
when I was first invited to be the Kindness Ambassador
(02:38):
of the Boys and Girls Club Kindness is Free program.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Mm hmm, and gosh, it seems like now this is
your way of life as a Kindness is Free Ambassador.
Why is this become Why is it so important to
you to be involved with this?
Speaker 2 (02:51):
In my personal experience, I believe that people do best
through kindness and treating others as if they were your
own family and friends. I believe that the values of
kindness truly resonate with me between respect, the quality compassion.
And I believe that through respect, the quality compassion, everybody
(03:12):
can rejoice as a community and we can achieve the
most goals and accomplishments through that.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
I love that, and your family must be so proud,
right they know you're not getting in trouble. You're out
there spreading kindness. That's a good thing.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I've been teaching them a few things or too, especially
my brother.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
I bet well, you know, hey, a lot of people
need to be reminded about the power of kindness. It's
a beautiful thing.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Now, at the end of the day, we're really trying
to reach as many people as possible. It's not just
the kids, but at the end of the day, we're
trying to get everybody into Yeah, but everybody in general.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I really believe that there's really a stigma regarding like kindness,
and I believe that by spreading this message of positivity
to others, we can get people to be more comfortable
to spread kindness within others in the community. And I
believe that just keep moving forward and to keep pushing
our message will end up getting people to be on
(04:06):
our side and ultimately connect with others likewise.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah. So what okay, Nathaniel, So what are your favorite
ways to spread kindness? What are your favorite ways? How
do you practice kindness and share it with others?
Speaker 2 (04:19):
I always say this. I said this at the summit,
and it was three others as if they were my
family and friends. And to ultimately notice the small things
that people put effort into a lot of the times
when I'm meeting new people, I'll try my best to
mention something about maybe an outfit that they put on,
or something that maybe others might have not noticed. Anytime
(04:40):
that this happens, they always say, oh, thank you. I
put a lot of effort into this, And I believe
that that's been one of my ways of spreading positivity.
When it comes to people that I'm getting to know
more and more, I want to treat them as if
they were my brother, treat them as if I have
known them my whole life, and it gives a better
sense of relationship and a better sense of respect between others.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
I love that. And you know, at the Kindness as
Free Summit, we talked a lot about making sure young
people know and all people know that being kind isn't
a weakness. Being kind is a strength, Being kind as courageous,
and especially as a young person. You know, it's like,
how do we show how do we show people to
embrace kindness and be empowered by it.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
It's almost like it's almost like being superman being kindness.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, kindness is a superpower. Yeah, Now, Nathaniel, since the Summit,
are our good friend, host, Say Hossuey, the chief Kindness officer,
He gave everyone an assignment, and so you were being
challenged to kind of put together a kindness assignment, right,
a kindness project? Yes, how's that going? Because that was
(05:50):
four hundred kids in the room who were challenged to
come up with a kindness project, which I love. That's
a lot of new kindness ambassadors that will be out
there with that magic and action. But how is your
project going so far?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It's been It's been a really good process. I remember
when they were mentioning that at the summit. Our project
was to come up with a way that we can
spread kindness within our own community, and a lot of
the people I know at my club have been brainstorming
different ways that they can do it and putting it
into action. I love the support that we've received from
our staff as well. They've been helpful to allow us
(06:28):
come up with ideas and put our thoughts into actions.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
I love it. I love that. And by the way,
there's so much information on the website Kindness is Free
dot org. Kindness is free dot org again power through
the Boys and Girls Club Western Gable Valley east Side.
But really, the founders of the Kindness is Free program.
Want everyone to get on board, hopefully all the schools,
you know, schools, churches, anyone who's interested in learning more
about the program. It's all about taking the pledge, which,
(06:55):
by the way, we should do the pledge in a second, Nathaniel.
But it's about taking the pledge to be kind. It's
about supporting the movement of being kind. And also you
can download the toolkit right there on the website kindness
Isfree dot org, so you can also learn furthermore how
the program works and how you can also everyone listening
also become like Nathaniel, a Kindness is Free ambassador and
(07:17):
proudly do the pledge and wear it like a badge
of honor and spread it every chance you get. I
think we should do the pledge when while we wrap
this up, are you ready for it?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Yeah, I'll be happy to leave the pledge. Okay, let's
go for it to everyone listening. We start by putting
our right hand up, so I'll give everyone a sec
to do that, and you'll repeat after me. I pleasure
to show respect to others.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
I pledge you show respect to others.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
I pleasure to treat others as I wish to be treated.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I pledge to treat others as I wish to be treated.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
And I pledge to be compassionate.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
And I pledge to be compassionate.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
And you know it, just for today, let's do Let's
do another one. Okay, I pleasure to do. Pleasure to
do one kindak every day.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Oh that is big. I pledge to do one kind
act every day, no matter how big or small. It's
just important that you do it, you think about it,
and knowing whomever else you touch. Even if it's a
secret thing that somebody doesn't, you don't have to take
credit for it, you know what I mean. Even it's
a little gesture, a little some nice you do for
a stranger or anybody, somebody at work, somebody at school.
(08:19):
They don't even have to know that it came from you,
but just that something that's nice, some of that's kind
that would make them smile, right, make their heart smile,
make their face smile, and make them just feel good.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Right, Little actions, of course.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Little actions of kindness they do, they do well. Nathaniel.
We're also proud of you and so proud to have
you such an important part of this program. So keep
on spreading that kindness. And I'm sure I'll see you
at the next event or something super fun soon. I
know they always, you know, get us all together. And
I love seeing you and so proud to watch you
grow up over the years and do this incredible work
(08:53):
and spread that kindness out there. So yay, Nathaniel, Thank
you buddy. I'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Pleasure to talk to you today. I'm really grateful for that.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
I hope, I hope I can see you soon.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Yes, me too, me too, All right, bye, all right,
bye bye.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
I have a good day.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
Ah.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
He's the best. What a great guy. Okay. As we
continue on conversation about the importance of being kind and
spreading kindness, how about the founder of the Kindness Is
Free program. She took an idea and made it a thing,
and these kids and their families are really responding. Kindness
is Free powered by the Boys and Girls clubs especially
(09:33):
We're it originated the Boys and Girls Club of West
and Gable Valley and East Side. This remarkable program spearheaded
by visionary Lori Millguard. Hi Laurie, She's on the line
with us, Hi.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Lori, Hi.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Spearheaded by Lori Millgard and the club CEO of JR Zubac.
It's become a movement. We're making this a movement. We
are working together. We have a growing team and network
of people making kindness a movement. And it's really just
to make the world a better place. What a gift
to make the world a better place by focusing focusing
on spreading kindness, and that's what Laurie has created this
(10:06):
incredible program. We are fresh off our first ever Kindness
is Free summit that happened with over four hundred kids
in person. We just heard from Nathaniel, one of our
kindest ambassadors, and you know, we're doing this on the
radio so that we can get more and more people
involved in spreading kindness. And Laurie, it's going to make
you feel good how huge it's already gotten in just
(10:26):
the past few years, thousands and thousands and thousands of
kids nationwide.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Yeah, you know, I'm overjoyed with where this program has gone.
I think we have you know, kids are willing and
ready and that's what makes it easy. You know, this,
this program was something that I thought about back in
twenty twenty. You know, I had thought to when I
was younger and just the climate out there and how peaceful,
and you know, there wasn't a lot of bullying, and
(10:54):
or nearly as much. There was a little bit, but
I just felt like could make a little bit of
a difference if we kind of went back to the
way it used to be, where there was respect and
kindness and you know, where people walked around maybe with
a little smile on their face. And now we have
the road rage and the rioting and just various things
that really aren't okay. And I feel that if everyone
(11:18):
was just kind to each other, a lot of this
would go away. We've just kind of lost our way
with things, and I'd like to get back there. And
I think the best way to do it is to
start with the kids. So they start off on the
right foot. You know, they can mentor their peers, their parents,
their siblings, And so that's kind of how it came about.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Well, and look watching the news. We know we watched
the news. It's scrolling on our phones. I mean, it's
a lot. It can be a lot of soul sucking,
negativity and bad things that are happening in the world.
And so to kind of create a program teaches kindness
to all who are open to embracing it. You know,
Laura teamed up with the boys and Girls clubs specifically,
(12:01):
it started with the westing Able Valley and East Side.
Then there's a number of clubs who have truly embraced
this and teach it to the kids. But you know
how about LAUSD. We want schools, we want churches to
embrace all the ways. The Kindness is Free program teaches
kindness and they teach it for free. They'll come to
your school, they'll come to your business, they'll come to
wherever you are open to embracing this and explain what
(12:24):
they're all about, just to teach, just to make the
world a better place. How great is that? Kindnesssfree dot
org is the website Kindness free dot org. They can
explain how it works when you ask young people and
any person to take the Kindness is Free Pledge. So
you take a pledge, you pledge to be kind. Kind
of make it a little more official by pledging, raising
up your right hand and pledging to be kind and
(12:46):
pledging to spread kindness. You can support the movement. There's
ways they can show you how to support the movement
and also download a toolkit where they have an actual
curriculum where you can help teach kindness and your own settings,
so lots of ways get involved and help make a
difference by being kind and teaching and preaching exactly that.
And Laura Milgard the visionary and founder of this program,
(13:08):
and also that the funder of this program. Thus far,
you've also had some really unique opportunities to kind of
get the message out there and bigger ways too.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
We had some great opportunities. We were contacted by the
Rose Parade, so we had an opportunity to have a boat.
This will be this year, will be our third year.
We decided to do a carnival to just let the
kids have some fun. We ended up calling at the
Kindness Carnival. It was an idea I had because I
don't think a lot of kids get the opportunity to
go to carnivals, and I did as a kid, and
(13:38):
so wanted to them have that opportunity as well. And
then we kind of created the carnival around kindness. And
so we're just trying to get momentum. I think we're
trying to get momentum in the schools. We'd like to
see some schools, even if they hang a banner in
their hallway, and that says be kind. It just plants
a seed. It just makes each kid that walks by
(14:00):
that something to think about. This is something that is
going to take time. It's so such a simple concept.
But I think some of us have lost our way.
I think most people are born kind and I think
we just forget, we get busy, we get crazy. I think,
you know, social media has changed a lot of the
lives of young people. We didn't have that distraction growing up,
(14:24):
and there's a lot of negativity on there and I'm
just hoping to get back to a little bit of
kindness in our communities. I think it's it's like I said,
it's just not like it used to be when I
was younger.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Absolutely, kindness is free. You know, through presentations, pop ups
and special Kindness Pledge events, the movement is spreading the
message of respect and kindness to the greater Los Angeles
area and the goal is to inspire young people. Let's
break down this Kindness is Free summit that we just
had over four hundred kids from all of usun California.
We came together. I was honored as a Kindness is
(15:01):
Free Hall of Famer. Thanks to you. Thank you for
including me in the family. I love being a part
of this family with the Boys and Girls Club. The
Kindness is Free family and kindness is very important to
me and in my heart, and I love seeing these
kids loving doing it and loving being a part of it.
So I was very grateful to be able to host
the Kindness Is Free Summit. We had incredible speakers and
(15:23):
opened up with you and our kids so kind of
break down how the day went, and then how we think,
you know, where do we go? Where do we go
from there?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Well, we get a survey with the kids of how
many kids have seen bullying at this summit. We've seen
how many have been bullied, how many have stood by
and watched, And the numbers were staggering. And I think
it helped the kids to see these numbers and realized
that they weren't alone, but probably the person sitting next
to them experienced the same kind of thing. And I
think kids are realizing it feels good to be kind
(15:55):
and it feels good when kindness is shown to you.
And I think this summit was fun because there were
so many, many of them and they were from all
over the We had some kids that came down from Bakersfield. Yeah,
so it was a big commitment. We had, you know,
our hall of famers Lisa Yu, which you know, you
set the example for our kids. You're kind, you lead
that in your in your professional life and I'm sure
(16:16):
in your personal life. And these kids looked up to
people like you and the various other speakers that we
had there, and so thank you.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
You know.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
I think, honestly we are lucky to have have you
involved in the program and to set the example for
the kids, because I think kids are paying attention to
their to their superiors for sure.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Well look, I'd like to say, like myself and many
of my colleagues, it's about using your platform to do
good the power and that is exciting. And we have
a lot of fun things that out at a radio station,
but also using it to do good. And I love
hosting this show, The Iheartsokel Show, which Airson seven iHeart
Stations then later is posted on our podcast, by the way,
(16:57):
The iHeart Sokel Show. Thanks listening. We use this whole
time that we have together every Sunday to spread the
word about good things that are happening in our communities,
wonderful charities, people who work so hard to raise money
and make a difference and do great things. And we
all should try to be a better example for young
(17:18):
people and for each other. And that's why I love
talking about this program. Kindnessfree dot org is the website
to get more involved, to make it more top of mind,
take the gosstar and pledge already. Kindness is free dot org.
So many great ways we can all work together to
be more kind and to spread it regularly well.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
And it's so easy when you think about it. When
you wake up in the morning, you have a choice.
Am I going to have a good day or a
bad day? And I think if you can go out
there with a good mindset, I'm going to be kind.
When I'm in the grocery store, purposely smile at people.
If somebody is looking at me, I smile, and I
would say ninety nine percent of the time they smile back.
We're just lost in thought, we're lost in our phones,
(17:57):
we're lost in all sorts of things. So there's a
lot waves of being kind and doing nice things for people.
It really doesn't cost anything. We're all capable of doing it.
And that's what I'm just hoping everyone out there will
start doing.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
You know, I like to connect with strangers in the
elevator because you know, elevator can be like awkward, awkward,
So I'm like, I don't want to make it awkward.
I just like find a moment to you know, what's
your what floor are you going to? Or oh hey,
or you know, nice like even a compliment, as long
as it's genuine having little idle chit chat, you know,
with people in the elevator, or you know, we're in
a big corporate building so we see people from other
(18:31):
floors we don't know, and just kind of fun in
the morning, kicking the day off, or at the end
of the day when everyone's like whoo, happy hour, who's ready,
you know, just to have a little moment, or even
walking in the neighborhood, a lot of people have stopped
saying good morning or Hi there. You know your neighbors
are out walking their dogs, say hi. Don't be afraid
to make eye contact, give a wave, Hi there. Just
(18:53):
feels good. Look at your hair looking good today, you're
rocking it. You know, just little I don't know, like
a moment to just share a little love to a stranger.
It feels good to do it and you know they're like, oh,
that was nice. You know, they're touched by it.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
And I don't think you know, I don't think we
know what's going on in people's lives and that one
compliment of I like what you're wearing, or you know,
we might be thinking it, but we forget to say it.
You know, it's just the thought we have and by
vocalizing it, it could change up person's day. And that's
what it's all about. It's about taking action, smiling, saying hello,
(19:27):
I like what you're wearing. I mean, it's just very
simple then having kind.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Thoughts opening the door, opening the door for somebody, or
you know, little things like a secretly treat for the
person behind you in the drive through line of Starbucks
or seven eleven, or just like a little I don't know,
a little ways to do a little something for somebody.
It just feels good, whether you purchase something or just
a gesture or have a moment, it's all beautiful.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
And it feels good on your end too. That's the
funny thing is we always think it's fun to receipt,
but when you give, I mean, it's just as a
good feeling. It's not better.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
I think, however, you do it, doing nice things for
other people, being kind to other people feel so good
that it truly just inspires you to want to do
it more. It just what we want, more people being
nice to each other, being kind to each other. I
was in a seven eleven the other day and I
saw a guy looked a little down on his luck.
And I didn't hear what was going on, but I
(20:20):
just heard him say to the guy that the clerk, oh,
you know what, I guess I'll come back later. And
I come up and I said what was that all about?
And he said, oh, he couldn't afford as like a
gatorade and a bag of chips. And I said, well,
I'll do it. I'll do it, and so you know,
I added it to my tab and bought it and
chase after him, and he was so shocked, and you know,
(20:40):
I was like, what's the harm in That didn't cost
the gazillion dollars to do something nice, and his smile
and surprise made it totally worth it, And he might.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
Think about doing something nice to somebody because of that
gructure that you did for him. So I think it's
definitely a domino effect as well, boy, I'd.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Like to think so. And you know, Laurie, going back
to the kind of says free summit, one of our
speakers was talking a lot to the kids. You know,
we had four hundred kids there at the Panda Express headquarters,
and seemed like one of the main topics was kids
expressing a bit of stress or problems with how they're
treated online. You know, people dming them, people being me
to them, people are you know, writing mean comments on
(21:19):
all these apps are available, whether it's TikTok or Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat.
You know, just essentially it's cyberbullying. And they were asking
for tools to deal with that. And the guy was like,
block and report, block and report, get them out, block, report, ignore, block, report, ignore, Like,
don't even feed it, don't even give it energy.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Well, I think a lot of times when there is
controversy or somebody is reaching out or lashing out or anything,
and you your response is positive, it changes their their behavior.
They want you to fight back. They want there to
be a battle, and when you're not battling, it kind
of defeats their purpose. When I was in second grade,
I got some eyeglasses and the first day I wore
(22:01):
him to school. I got teased, and I came home
and I told my mom I didn't want to wear
them anymore because the kids were teasing me at school.
And she said that you're going to go back there
tomorrow and you're going to wear them, but you're not
going to respond to they're teasing. And I promise you
they will quit because you're not pushing back.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Sure enough. The minute I went back and I didn't
respond to them, they never teased me again because.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
They get bored with it. They're like, oh, this isn't working.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
You wanted something, they wanted me to shop it, or
please don't do that, or that hurts my feelings, and
or cross didn't say anything. So sometimes silence is good too,
just not to respond at all.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
And look, the old saying still rings true. Kill them
with kindness, focus on you and the person that you
want to be in this world. Laurie's program, Kindness is Free.
Kindness is Free dot org is the website for all
the information her program. You know, she teamed up with
all these boys and girls clubs. Wants to get this
out to more and more schools, more and more people, churches,
any group. It's open to embracing how their kindness is free.
(22:59):
Program works encouraging people to take the pledge supporting the movement,
downloading the toolkit, they'll actually show you a curriculum to
teach kindness to young people and others. We just want
this to spread to as many people as possible and
have it be more talked about and examples done more regularly,
and just for kindness to be more top of mind
(23:19):
and for it to be expressed and acted upon on
the regular All the infl right is just right there.
Kindness is free dot work right.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
They can tie up to have our kind of team
comes at their school. And I think it's thirty minutes,
it's not very long, and it is something that might
change a few lives. And that's what we're trying to
do with a program.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
And again showing examples to young people that kindness. Being
kind is cool, Being kind is empowering, Being kind should
and could help you just be a great person and
even better person.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
Well, I think especially with older kids, I think being
cool matters when you're in high school, and I think
with the younger ones they're all pretty much on the
even playing field. But when you get older, you know
you want to be at the cool group. Why can't
you do as the kind cool group. Yeah, I mean
I think that is kind of another angle we're trying,
because you know, there's a lot of popular groups, and
(24:13):
if the popular groups are kind of the not popular groups,
then it just becomes one big group. Then there aren't
aren't divisions and there aren't kids feeling left out, and
so I think that's definitely a direction we like to
go so that everybody's included and everybody's treated the same.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Well, we know everyone of the Boys and Girls Club
loves the kind of sys free program, bet teachers more
and more teachers would love it too. If there are
students were even more kind to them and kind.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
To each other, more pleasant an environment. It's a win
win when you think about it. If the kids are
respectful and kind of their teachers, it's going to be
a much more positive experience for everybody in that room.
And I think when teachers are and vice versa for
the teachers. I think that's why I think schools are
so important, because it's just a win win and it
doesn't cost the school anything. But we just need to
(25:03):
get back to those days where you know, we couldn't
talk back to the teachers. We didn't have our phones
where we were reading them during class. We you know,
there's a respecting of involved in the kindness too that
we'd like to kind of get back to where kids
are respectful and if they're kind, pretty much respect is
going to follow.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
And let's start today. People start today. Do something kind
or say something nice to someone today, right.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
It could be the littlest thing. Just smile at somebody,
wave at somebody. We're all capable, Yes.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Do it today. Like I can't see you right now, Laurie,
but you look beautiful today. You look beautiful.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
Thank you, Yes, you do too. That's a little pat online.
I see.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
That's what the Kindness Is Free program is all about.
They want to empower the next generation my teaching kindness
and bringing awareness to its importance in the equal treatment, respect,
and compassion for others. Through their presentations, pop ups, and
special Kinds Pledge events, the movement is spreading to more
and more people. We're all about it. They provide young
(26:05):
people with tools, resources, and engagements to better understand the
meaning of kindness and help shape the next generation's values
while improving their social and emotional behavior with kindness The hope,
of course, is for more individuals and more institutions nationwide
to join us in promoting kindness by implementing Kindness is Free,
(26:26):
programming and teaching young people about the importance of equal treatment,
respect and consideration of others. Thank you, Lori Millgard, Thank
you Jr. Zubach and Scott and Joust Sway and Curtis
and everyone there at the Boys Girls Club at West
San Gabriel Valley. Thank you for all that you do
as a team, a growing team of Kindness Ambassadors spread
(26:49):
the word, hopeing that this really truly becomes a way
of life for more and more and more people. All
the information, get involved, Come on, take the pledge, support
the movement, download the whole kid all the info. Kindnesses
free dot org. Kindness is free dot org.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
Thank you Lory, thank you Lisa. I just it's been
a joy.
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