United in Kindness

In Tompkins, It’s United in Kindness Month!

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The Tompkins County Legislature proclaimed October “United in Kindness Month.” Legislature Chair Dan Klein issued the proclamation after the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force coordinated a series of 12 events with kindness themes for the month.

For the third year in a row, the Task Force organized the series to mark National Bullying Prevention Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

The Task Force’s aim is to promote kindness, acceptance, inclusion, and support. This year’s series includes a Youth Mental Health & Wellness Town Hall, “Huddle Together for Mental Health” for school sports events, a gallery exhibition featuring young artists, webinars on promoting social-emotional strengths in children and recognizing mental health conditions, risk factors, and warning signs.

“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.

VIEW OR DOWNLOAD: United in Kindness Event Series for October 2024

The Tompkins County Legislature’s Proclamation reads as follows:

PROCLAMATION
 
WHEREAS, bullying has been identified as a prevalent and serious problem affecting today’s youth, and
 
WHEREAS, types of youth bullying include physical, verbal, and relational bullying, as well as cyberbullying that involves threatening or harassing electronic communications, and
 
WHEREAS, according to the 2023 Community-Level Youth Development Evaluation (CLYDE) survey, given to Tompkins County students In grades 7 through 12, 27 percent of teens report being bullied at school and 20 percent report being cyberbullied,  and
 
WHEREAS, bullying has psychological, physical, and academic effects and adversely affects youth who are bullied as well as those who engage in bullying, and
 
WHEREAS, more than two dozen government agencies, community organizations, parents, and representatives from the county’s six school districts formed the Tompkins County Bullying Prevention Task Force in March 2019, and
 
WHEREAS, the Task Force’s mission is to facilitate comprehensive cooperation across the community in developing and promoting appropriate bullying prevention and response strategies in Tompkins County, and
 
WHEREAS, every member of the Tompkins County community, government agencies, community organizations, school administrators. teachers, athletic coaches, parents, and students, can play a part in creating a bully-free environment in our schools, athletic fields, public spaces, and online websites, and
 
WHEREAS, the task force organizes a series of “United in Kindness” educational events and activities in October to fight bullying and domestic violence and to promote kindness and empathy throughout our community, now, therefore be it
 
RESOLVED, That the Tompkins County Legislature does hereby proclaim the month of October 2024, as
 
UNITED in KINDNESS MONTH IN TOMPKINS COUNTY
 
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I, Dan Klein, on behalf of the Tompkins County Legislature, have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the great seal of Tompkins County, State of New York, on this 15th day of October 2024.
 
Dan Klein, Chair
Tompkins County Legislature

I Wish You Knew!

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We are all more than what others see on the surface. And others see things in us that we don’t. Here’s a chance for young people in Tompkins County to create a piece of artwork that expresses how you would like to be seen.

Artwork from the Mental Health Association’s 2023 “How I See Myself” exhibition

“I Wish You Knew” is an art exhibition organized and hosted by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County in recognition of National Bullying Prevention month in October.

Young artists and would-be artists may submit artworks for the exhibition, which will take place from October 21–November 6 at the association’s Outreach, Education, and Training Center in Center Ithaca on the Ithaca Commons.

The exhibition invites youth ages 21 and under to create a piece of artwork about what “you wish people knew”—about yourself, or about them, or even about the problem of bullying. All styles and mediums are welcome.

The submission deadline is October 11th. Artists have the option of being anonymous.

Melanie Little, director of Training and Peer Education, said that the exhibition, creates an outlet for young people to be heard, and for their peers and adults to learn.

“Through artistic expression, we can communicate what is difficult to put into words and express challenging emotions in ways that support our mental well-being,” she said.

The association will host a “First Friday” Ithaca Gallery Night reception for artists on November 1 from 5-8 p.m. at its Outreach center.

Click here for more information and how to submit artwork.

“I Wish You Knew” is the Mental Health Association’s second annual art show for Tompkins County’s United in Kindness series of programs. In 2023, the organization hosted “How I See Myself,” which drew 30 self-portraits from students aged 10-17.

Ithaca Town Hall: Youth Mental Health & Wellness

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Our young people often put on a good face. But when they are anonymously surveyed about how they’re doing, their responses are concerning. In fact, more than one-third of middle and high school students in Tompkins County say they feel depressed or sad on most days and that “sometimes I think life is not worth it.”

“Our youth are struggling,” said town hall organizer Tiffany Bloss

A community town hall will be held at the Tompkins County Public Library on Saturday October 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to throw light on the mental health challenges many of our young people are experiencing.

“Youth Mental Health & Wellness Town Hall,” organized and hosted by the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition, will provide information on how to support the well-being of our youth and hear testimonies from young community members themselves.

The event, part of the United in Kindness series of events in Tompkins County, will feature short Ted Talk-style presentations with an opportunity for Q&A with like local mental health leaders.

Speakers include Melanie Little, director of Training and Peer Education at the Mental Health Association of Tompkins County; Tiffany Bloss, executive director of Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County; and Pat Breux, former director of School and Youth Initiatives at the Suicide Prevention Center of New York.

Shawn Goodman, an author and psychologist in the Ithaca Central School District, will share anecdotes from his new book, How to Survive Your Parents.

Organizer Tiffany Bloss, executive director of the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County, said she encouraged youth as well as their caregivers to attend.

“This is such an important topic for our community. Our youth are struggling. There are so many pressures in their lives that other generations did not have to deal with: heightened academic standards, family pressures, compromised school safety, a global pandemic, and the ever-present social media. At the town hall, we will be discussing all of these topics and more,” Bloss said.

Bloss emphasized the critical importance of tending to mental health in youth.

“Mental health is vital to the overall health and well-being in a person’s life. The adolescent years are crucial for developing social and emotional habits that build a foundation for mental well-being. These include good sleeping habits, regular movement of the body, self-care routines, developing problem-solving and interpersonal skills, and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments within the family, at school and in the wider community are important to a youth’s mental health,” Bloss said.

Town hall attendees are encouraged to register (not mandatory) at https://bit.ly/4gsfGr6.

The Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition is comprised of health agencies, community organizations, and individual members who share a determination to prevent suicide deaths in our community. It is a collective of volunteers that strives for diverse and inclusive representation and encourages collaboration for achieving goals.

The coalition’s goals include:

Improving the quality and enhance the use of data sources and systems for suicide prevention in Tompkins County;

Advancing quality improvement for suicide care in all Tompkins County healthcare and behavioral health settings;

Reducing suicide attempts in the youth population, including students attending colleges in Tompkins County;

Reducing access to lethal means for suicide within high-risk demographic populations as determined by national, state, and local data;

And advocating for policies and practices designed to prevent suicides in the community.

“United in Kindness” Is Here!

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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

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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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Self-Portraits of Youth (Part 3)

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Twenty-nine young artists explored inner feelings of identity in an art exhibition organized in October by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County. “How I See Myself” was made possible in part by a grant from The Sophie Fund, which is honored to share the exhibition here. Thanks and bravo to the artists.

Hannah A., age 16, Ithaca High School

Cálida

Oil Pastels

“My goal was to create a colorful expressive self-portrait. I enjoyed experimenting with bright loud colors using oil pastels.”

Sabena S., age 16, Ithaca High School

Untitled

Colored pencil on paper

Lyla C., age 10, Newfield Central School District

Blank Space

Colored pencil, Sharpie, graphite

“My art Blank Space is about me. When I was making this piece I didn’t really think I just drew it. My mom helped me out a little bit. While i was making this piece I felt happy so I drew my character smiling. My mom and brother cheered me on. That made me feel proud.”

Aaliyah M., age 16, Ithaca High School

Thoughts

Pencil, Blue colored pencil, Sharpie

“In this I drew a girl hiding around the corner from her own thoughts. I tried to draw a reality of hiding/distracting yourself from negative thoughts.”

Laura W., age 15, Ithaca High School

What If

Pencil

“As a queer artist, I have faced a lot of discrimination. All throughout elementary school and middle school, I was bullied for being “over weight” or “weird” or in middle school, “not normal” or just overall homophobia, or even critiques of my singing and acting. Being bullied really effected my body image, my perception of myself, and my mental well-being. In 8th grade my mental health started to decline, hearing many of the sayings incorporated into my art. My question is, what if I listened to them, what if I continued to believe it, what would’ve happened to me. My concept with my art is to hopefully have somebody see it, to know that they aren’t alone, and that there are people there for them and other options for them.”

Jennifer C., age 15, Ithaca High School

Past Paranoid

Colored pencils, pen

“I created this art for when I experienced getting bullied for three years in Enfield Elementary. My feelings about my art piece are happy since I am finally able to draw what I dealt with in my past. I was trying to express the post-affects of after someone is bullied in the past, since it inspired me to draw for the anti-bullying theme.”

Chloe V., age 15, Ithaca High School

Lost in the Line

Colored pencil and graphite

“I made the red spiral stand out to represent displacement/ detachment from everyone else or oneself. The spiral wasn’t originally going to be red, but I felt like it needed that pop to make the drawing feel complete.”

Charlotte T., age 15, Ithaca High School

The Side You Never See

Acrylic Paint, Marker

“This piece reflects all the emotions, ideas, thoughts, and feelings that go in within a person that are sometimes kept inside and never expressed. I really liked making this piece because I was trying out a new style and I love making portraits overall. I also enjoy the freedom of being able to express a thought in a way other than speaking or writing. I think this piece can show a series of many issues not only those related to emotions or mental health and can be interpreted in more ways than one.”

Julia S., age 10, Newfield Elementary

Sunny Day

Colored pencil, sharpie, highlighter

“It’s about me, and a happy me. It’s happy and positive with a smiley-face sun. It’s about me because it shows me having a happy look. It’s important to be happy and have other emotions too. They are difficult but this is happy.”

Kevin D., age 15, Ithaca High School

About Me Poem

Marker and acrylic

“I believe my art piece represents a new day. A new mentality that helped me get through my struggles with mental health. I hope this piece inspires people and gives a new light about mentality and attitude going into life.”