BTWF Partnership

Youth Homes and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation – with support from 150 additional partners is proud to announce the launch of the third annual #BeKind21 Campaign. As communities across the world face the trauma of a pandemic, the ongoing racial inequalities, and a host of global challenges, this campaign encourages everyone to build habits that promote wellness and cultivate kindness through action.

From September 1st to September 21st, the campaign invites schools and colleges to kick off the new school year by establishing kinder habits, and for corporate partners, nonprofit partners, and all other participants to head into the fall with a spirit of compassion and kindness across their organizations and in their communities.

Youth Homes believes that now, more than ever, even the smallest acts of kindness have a huge impact on our ability to navigate the current challenges. Kindness lifts our spirits, generates hope, and creates community – this is something we can give to others that has no cost and is priceless!

Building on the success of last year’s campaign, Youth Homes aims to engage it’s entire community, from foster youth in our residential programs to staff and Board members. “While we can’t practice as many acts of kindness in person this year, virtual notes of support, supporting a friend through a video call, doing chores for a housemate, are all impactful ways to show others we are thinking of the,” said Odette Vandaveer, Youth Homes Marketing and Communications Director.

“This campaign aims to create a culture of kindness and foster healthy communities,” said Cynthia Germanotta, co-founder and president of Born This Way Foundation. “Our #BeKind21 initiative is an opportunity for all of us to put kindness into action. We believe that being kind is advocating for a world that values, validates, and respects all people. Together we are building a movement based on actions that create a future that is kinder, braver, and more just.”

This year’s #BeKind21 Campaign will build on last year’s effort during which, with support from over 130 partners, 1.6 million participants engage in over 41 million acts of kindness. Individuals who take the pledge will receive exclusive kindness suggestions, tips, and inspiration from Born This Way Foundation’s co-founders and partners, and have a  chance to be featured on ChannelKindness.org. 

 Follow Youth Homes on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with our acts of kindness, and be sure to help spread kindness to others by taking the pledge as well! We’d love to be tagged in your posts so we can share with our community!

Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2012 to support the wellness of young people and empower them to create a kinder and braver world. To achieve these goals, Born This Way Foundation leverages evidence-based research and authentic partnerships in order to provide young people with kinder communities, improved mental health resources, and more positive environments – online and offline. To learn more, visit https://bornthisway.foundation/.