Background
The Kindness Campaign is a non-partisan, grass-roots organization in Asheville whose motto is "Spread Kindness -- It's Contagious."© Its goals are (1) to strengthen the civil society based on the sense of community and neighborliness that we seem to have forgotten and (2) to prevent the spread of violence that has taken hold in many parts of our community, state and nation. Spreading kindness is up to everyone and it can be fun and rewarding. All you have to do is remember to do some small daily acts of kindness for yourself, your family, friends, neighbors, school mates, work mates, strangers, those who are sick or in need, and anyone else you meet. The Campaign spreads Kindness through distributing a Kindness Button, Kindness Week and Interfaith celebrations, Community of Kindness Awards to individuals & organizations and the Kind & Safe Schools Initiative.

The Campaign was started in 1994 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has since spread to eleven other cities in six states. It began in Asheville in October 2004. The vision of the Kindness Campaign is to create a Community of Kindness in Asheville and in other cities and towns (see the Kindness Campaign in America on this site). Ten area businesses and churches have become Community Sponsors of the Campaign and over 12,000 Kindness Buttons have been distributed in the community and schools. Fourteen individuals and organizations have received Community of Kindness Awards for exemplary acts of kindness.

The Kind & Safe Schools Initiative is a yearlong Character Education and Bullying Prevention program developed by the Kindness Campaign that was implemented successfully in 125 schools in Colorado and elsewhere. Its 286-page Program Guide, Spreading Kindness, contains over 180 field-tested activities for elementary, middle and high schools. This Guide is in use in over 600 schools in the U. S. and Canada. The Initiative also utilizes the highly acclaimed "Don't Laugh At Me" Character Education curriculum developed by Peter Yarrow and his associates. Research on the Initiative showed a significant reduction in bullying and put-down behavior (up to 94%) and a significant increase in the recognition of pro-social behaviors. In addition, achievement tests scores have increased and school attendance rose. Evaluation of the program consists of pre-post measures of 15 key variables.

Ingles and Wachovia Demonstration School Project
Ingles Corporation headquartered near Asheville, NC has agreed to add the Kind & Safe Schools Initiative to its highly successful Tools For Schools program that is available to over 2500 schools in six southeastern states. In preparation for this, Ingles Corporation is providing funds this year to create additional Demonstration Schools in the area (likely one elementary and one middle school). These schools would fully implement the Kind & Safe Schools Initiative and then become Demonstration Schools for other schools in a six state area that are considering this Initiative to contact and perhaps visit. Wachovia Bank is partnering with Ingles on this project and has funded an additional Demonstration School in Asheville Public Schools. This provides an excellent opportunity for North Carolina schools to meet the state mandate that they create a bullying prevention program. It also provides an easy way that schools can pay for this program.

What Others Have Said About KASSI
"The Kind & Safe Schools Initiative represents a significant contribution to character education. It offers hope that the bullying and put-downs that have plagued our nation's schools can be brought under control." Peter Yarrow, founder of Operation Respect.

"We are utilizing the Kind & Safe Schools Initiative in our school for the first time this year and have discovered that it really helps the teachers create a more peaceful and respectful classroom." Chris Wellman, Middle School Counselor at a Comer School

"The Kind & Safe Schools Initiative has really made a difference in our school. It provided me with many useful ideas for activities and programs that I could implement at my school." Janet Oliver, Elementary School Social Worker

How Does the Initiative Work?
I. Getting Started: Consultation with KASSI Staff
o Set up an appointment to talk to a KASSI staff member
o Define your specific needs.
o Select a School Coordinator & KASSI Committee.
o Determine your objectives to measure effectiveness of the Initiative.
o Design evaluation plan and administer pre-tests
o Download and review Spreading Kindness Program Guide containing over 180 field-tested activities and the Don't Laugh At Me Curriculum, video and CD.
o Sign a contract with KASSI to deliver program.

II. Training for Key Staff
o Send two key staff members (The Schools Coordinator & Principal to two and one-half days of "training the trainers" training.
o This weekend group training with other schools will focus on providing proven strategies for the implementation of KASSI.
o Trainings are scheduled for Asheville, NC in both the fall and spring (Tentative Dates for Fall training: October 28, 29 & 30).
o Registration fees, lodging and meals for both participants are covered by this fee.
o Transportation is extra.

III. Implementation: Ongoing Consultation with KASSI Staff
o Establish a regular email and phone consultation with KASSI staff, as needed.
o Schedule a monthly three-hour group consultation via an Internet Chat Room conducted by the KASSI staff.
o Plan and conduct kick-off assembly with the students.
o Create a positive learning climate & all-school Bullying Prevention policy & program by using activities in Spreading Kindness and Don't Laugh At Me curriculum guides.

IV. Completion of Evaluation Process/ Final Report
o Conduct post-tests and send data to KASSI office.
o Receive written evaluation report on the effectiveness of the program.

V. Best Practices Conference
o Select two key staff to attend a two-day "Best Practices" Conference in Asheville, NC in late June 2006 where schools can share their ideas and successes.
o Registration fees, meals and lodging for the conference are covered by this fee.
o Transportation is extra.

Contact KASSI