The Jed Foundation is a Founding Member of the Choose Kindness Alliance

The Jed Foundation (JED) is proud to be a founding member of the Choose Kindness Alliance.

Twenty of the nation’s leading nonprofits—including the NAACP, GLAAD, and the Special Olympics—join JED in a commitment to the mission of the Choose Kindness Project. This year-long initiative, which is supported by ABC, ESPN, and the Walton Family Foundation, is dedicated to inspiring a more inclusive world where all young people feel empowered to be themselves and safe to create the futures they imagine. 

The Choose Kindness Project will champion three key areas of youth wellness: 

• bullying prevention
• intentional inclusion
• mental health

A Choose Kindness Project survey found that one-third of teenagers have experienced bullying in the past year; however, most parents say that they do not feel like they have the resources to guide their child through these issues. With this in mind, the Alliance will build out programs to fill these gaps and foster effective, meaningful bullying prevention strategies. 

To achieve its bold ambitions, strategies include:

• Supporting Communities Nationwide: ABC, ESPN, and the Walton Family Foundation are investing $1.5 million in grant funding to support the Alliance. These grants aim to help Alliance members share their programs with new audiences throughout the United States.
• Elevating Best-in-Class Resources: Caring adults, including parents/caregivers, educators, and community leaders, will be able to find vetted resources, inspiring stories, and research  on Instagram (@TheChooseKindnessProject), Twitter (@ChooseKindness), and Facebook (@TheChooseKindnessProject).
• Engaging Parents/Caregivers at Home: An interactive campaign launching in October will respond to the needs of caring adults who want to create a better world for their children. This campaign will help parents/caregivers guide their children toward kindness, which in turn helps in building a more inclusive world for all young people. 

JED is thrilled to play a founding role in the Choose Kindness Project. With support from ABC, ESPN, and the Walton Family Foundation, JED can advance its mission of youth mental wellness and suicide prevention on an even greater scale, while working with the Alliance to create a future that’s better and kinder for all young people.