United in Kindness is back again in Tompkins County this October!
United in Kindness is a series of events and activities organized by the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force for National Bullying Prevention Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

DOWNLOAD United in Kindness Schedule
This year the series includes “Huddle Together: Mental Health for Athletes Week”; a story walk with a book giveaway for kids in Lansing; a creative writing workshop for youth at Tompkins County Public Library; and Fall Family Fun Day at the Mental Health Association on the Commons.
One of the highlights is How I See Myself, where youth ages 5-21 are invited to create and submit self portrait artworks for an art exhibition starting October 26 at the Outreach Center in Center Ithaca. The exhibition will host a reception on Friday Gallery Night on November 3.
According to organizer Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, “Bullying can affect the way we see ourselves, and art can be a healing and a powerful way of communicating those feelings. Our mission for this exhibit is to send the message that we are not alone, that bullying prevention matters, and that we each have a powerful voice to contribute.”
Dryden Central School District will launch a year-long campaign to promote kindness, includes a family dinner with a discussion about bullying, student “be kind” pledges, and more.
This year’s United in Kindness features three professional presentations on bullying and cyberbullying.
Stephanie S. Fredrick, associate director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo, presents “Cyberbullying and Social Media Use: Overview and Implications for schools and families.”
Brandi Remington, TST-Boces Youth Development Coordinator, presents “Dignity for All Students Act: Empowering Parents & Caregivers to Address Bullying.”
And author James Garbarino presents “And Words Can Hurt Forever: How to protect adolescents from bullying, harassment, and emotional violence.”
Huddle Together: Mental Health for Athletes Week 9/27 through 10/10
@ Cornell University & Ithaca High School
Home sports events are branded as “Mental Health Awareness” games with information available about community resources.
Free Hugs @ Apple Harvest Festival 9/29 through 10/1 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
@ Ithaca Commons
Free Hugs Ithaca and Be Kind Ithaca team up to give away t-shirts and iconic Be Kind hearts—and actual hugs—to dozens of lucky Apple Fest attendees.
Domestic Violence Reading Kits 10/1 through 10/31
@ Public & school libraries and select other locations, Advocacy Center kits contain reading lists for teens & adults, healthy relationship bookmarks, support resources, and purple ribbons for Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
How I See Myself 10/9 through 11/6
@ Mental Health Association Outreach Center in Center Ithaca
Tompkins County youth ages 5-21 are invited to create and submit self portrait artworks by 10/9 deadline. Creative art exhibition from 10/26–11/6 at the Outreach Center @ Center Ithaca. Gallery Night Reception 11/3 5-8 p.m.
Story Walk 10/14 10 a.m.-12 Noon
@ Lansing Center Trail, 104 Auburn Road, Lansing—(Scoops Ice Cream parking lot)
A guided read-aloud of The Nook, by Sally Anne Garland. Plus bookmaking and activities for the whole family.
8th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest 10/14 10 a. m.-4 p.m.
Bernie Milton Pavilion
Fun event including live music and information tables to raise awareness about mental health. Contest submissions from 10 a.m.-12 Noon
United in Kindness in Dryden October through June
Schools throughout Dryden Central School District
A year-long campaign to promote kindness kicks off 10/16.
United in Words 10/21 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tompkins County Public Library
Young Adult novelist Bree Barton leads a fun, interactive youth writing workshop for Tompkins County students with a focus on creativity, collaboration, and cool prizes.
Cyberbullying & Social Media 10/24 12 Noon-1 p.m.
On Zoom
Symposium for parents and caregivers on keeping children safe from cyberbullying by Stephanie S. Fredrick of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention.
Empowering Parents & Caregivers to Address Bullying 10/25 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
On Zoom
A presentation about New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act by Brandi Remington, TST-Boces Youth Development Coordinator.
And Words Can Hurt Forever 10/27 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
@ Mental Health Association Outreach Center in Center Ithaca
Presentation on how to protect adolescents from bullying, harassment, and emotional violence by author James Garbarino.
Clothesline Project 10/28 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
@ Ithaca Farmers Market
Advocacy Center invites people to write Acts of Kindness messages on paper hearts for a temporary display and view Clothesline Project t-shirts with uplifting messages of support for abuse survivors.
Fall Family Fun Day 10/28 12 Noon-3 p.m.
@ Mental Health Association Outreach Center in Center Ithaca
Snacks, crafts, games, pumpkin painting, cookie decorating + info about family peer support.
For more information about bullying and the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force, go to: https://thesophiefund.org/bullying/
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