A program of 12 events promoting kindness, acceptance, inclusion, and support is on tap for this year’s United in Kindness series in Tompkins County.
The Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task coordinates the series every October to mark National Bullying Prevention Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
“United in Kindness is a wonderful collaboration of professionals and community members who care about the well-being of kids in our community. We’re happy to partner in this effort, as bolstering kids’ mental wellness is central to our mission,” said Libby Demarest, director of Community Engagement at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca.
One of the highlights this year is “I Wish You Knew,” where youth ages 5-21 are invited to create and submit artworks about themselves or about bullying in general. The artworks will be featured in an exhibition from October 21 to November 6 at the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County’s Outreach, Education and Training Center in Center Ithaca on the Commons. There will be a Gallery Night Reception on November 1 from 5-8 p.m.
Another highlight is a Youth Mental Health & Wellness Town Hall taking place on October 5 at the Tompkins County Public Library. Hosted by the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the event will feature expert presentations on youth mental health and suicide prevention.
Once again, the series includes “Huddle Together for Mental Health,” where home sports games between October 2–12 at area high schools will be branded as mental health games accompanied by mental health presentations from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Finger Lakes.
Dryden Central School District will celebrate Unity Day on October 16 to mark National Bullying Prevention Month. Activities include: wearing orange t-shirts signifying unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion; a Random Acts of Kindness challenge; creating a kindness quilt; and more.
There will be two online events of special interest to parents and school staff on October 10.
The Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention will give a presentation, “Promoting Social-Emotional Strengths in Youth.” Hosted by Family & Children’s Service, the presentation will focus on how social-emotional skills promote accomplishment, satisfying relationships, stress coping, and social and academic development.
NAMI Finger Lakes will give a presentation called “Ending the Silence,” which provides vital information about mental health conditions, including warning signs, facts and statistics, and strategies for talking with children.
For more information about bullying and the Task Force, go to: https://thesophiefund.org/bullying/.
United in Kindness 2024 Full Schedule
Free Hugs @ Apple Harvest Festival 9/28 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
@Ithaca Commons
Free Hugs Ithaca and Be Kind Ithaca team up to give away free t-shirts and iconic Be Kind hearts—and actual hugs—to lucky Apple Fest attendees.
Huddle Together for Mental Health 10/2 through 10/12
@Area high schools – Schedule at: www.huddletogether.org.
Home sports events are branded Mental Health Awareness Games, accompanied by National Alliance on Mental Illness Finger Lake’s “Ending the Silence” presentations for students, staff, and parents.
Youth Mental Health & Wellness Town Hall 10/5 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
@Tompkins County Public Library-Borg Warner Room
Community town hall with expert presentations on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Hosted by the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition. To register (not mandatory): https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/6y0pzl
Keen on Kindness Day at The Nook! 10/7 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
@Family Reading Partnership @ Shops at Ithaca Mall
Story time and book giveaway celebrating migrating families at 10:15am or 5:15pm; art projects and fun activities throughout the day.
Promoting Social-Emotional Strengths in Youth 10/10 12 Noon–1 p.m.
Online via Zoom — Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/promoting-social-emotional-strengths-through-assessment-and-intervention-tickets-1026935791597
Presentation on how social-emotional skills promote accomplishment, satisfying relationships, stress coping, and social and academic development. From the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention, hosted by Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca.
“Ending the Silence” for Parents 10/10 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom — Register: https://go.namifingerlakes.org/event-registration-32024-6231-2235
NAMI Finger Lakes presentation on mental health for parents, faculty, and staff, and open to all community members.
“I Wish You Knew” 10/11 through 11/6
@Mental Health Association Outreach, Education and Training Center @ Center Ithaca on the Commons.
Tompkins County youth ages 5-21 are invited to create and submit artworks by 10/11 deadline. Artworks will be featured in an exhibition from 10/21–11/6. Gallery Night Reception 11/1 5-8pm. Submission Info and Registration: https://www.mhaedu.org/youth-art-show-2024
Stories of Kindness and Resilience 10/13 1 p.m.–2 p.m.
@Buffalo Street Books 215 N. Cayuga Street
Storytime for children accompanied by a caregiver and all who love children’s books hosted by the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County.
Unity Day for Bullying Prevention Month 10/16 All Day
@Dryden Central School District schools
Activities include: wearing orange t-shirts signifying unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion; a Random Acts of Kindness challenge; creating a kindness quilt; and more.
#PurpleThursday 10/17 All Day
Throughout the community
The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County encourages everyone to wear purple on the national day of support for families impacted by domestic violence letting survivors know they are not alone. Email info@actompkins.org to receive a purple ribbon observing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
9th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest 10/19 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
@Bernie Milton Pavilion in Ithaca Commons
Fun event including live music and information tables to raise awareness about mental health organized by The Sophie Fund. Submissions from 10a.m.–12 Noon; Info: https://thesophiefund.org/cupcake-contest/
Groomed—A Play 11/1 7 p.m.–9 p.m.
@Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) 301 W. Court Street in Ithaca—free admission
UK playwright Patrick Sandford performs his autobiographical award-winning play about childhood sexual abuse. Brilliantly performed, heartbreaking, hopeful, truth-telling that invites us all to talk. (Not graphic, PG-13.) Audience Q&A follows. Sponsored by GIAC and the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County.
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