LETTERS OF SUPPORT DELIVERED

Dear Friends,

The anti-bullying, pro-empathy Be A Friend Project is a national not-for-profit organization delivering surprise letters of peer support called FRIEND MAIL to victims of severe bullying to help them stay FRIEND STRONG and know they are not alone.

Since its inception in 2015, the Project has delivered over 23,000 letters, bringing transformational peer support to victims of bullying and, at the same time, giving as many K through 12 students the opportunity to practice kindness and build empathy by stepping-into-the-shoes of a peer.

EVERY LETTER IS A GIFT. Whether a "feel better" card from a 1st grader or a handwritten letter from a high school student, all kids and teens have the power to help a peer heal through empathic words and art. The more letters, the greater the impact on a youth who thinks they don't matter.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! IT'S EASY!

AYDEN

BAILEY

EMMA

MARCUS

ANTHONY

JAIMIAYA

XZAVIER

SHIANNA

LOGAN

SYDNEY

DELIVERED 2/26/20!

RACHAEL

KOLBY

Delivered April 2020!

In this 9 minute video, learn everything you need to know to making a difference with the

Be A Friend Project!

Co-Founded by Playwrights Jennifer Young and Composer January Akselrad, the Be A Project carries into action the “speak up, reach out and be a friend" message of their middle school show, “It’s Easy! The Friend Strong Musical.”

“It’s Easy!” first debuted in 2015 in collaboration with the Riverdale Rising Stars in the Bronx, New York. Those Junior cast members asked the Playwrights for a way to continue the show’s message off-stage.

Inspired by theater kids determined to turn BYstanders into UPstanders,the Be A Friend Project is now woven into the storyline of “It’s Easy!” and is the exclusive Licensor for educational entities.

At the November 3rd, 2019, Riverdale "Y" Rising Stars Broadway Gala, Honorees Jennifer Young and January Akselrad, as Co-Founders of the Be A Friend Project, were each presented with Proclamations from both the State of New York and the City of New York to honor their anti-bullying, pro-empathy work in service to the community. We are incredibly thankful for this great honor of a lifetime and validation of the mission of the Be A Friend Project.