About Us
Mission Statement
National KIDS FOR KIDS organization supporting student 'Upstanders' working to end bullying & its traumatic consequences, save lives and build kinder communities!
Be A Friend Project, Inc. | 501c3 Organization | Federal Tax ID # 84-2802576
Our Team
Jennifer Young
Executive Director
& Co-Founder
Rick Landry
The Be A Friend Project was founded in 2015 by business partners and playwrights Jennifer Young and January Akselrad (composer), to carry into action the "speak up, reach out and be a friend" message of their 8x Broadway World Award-winning middle school show, "IT'S EASY! The Friend Strong Musical."
Jennifer incorporated the BAFP as a non-profit 501c3 in 2019, guiding the “KIDS FOR KIDS” organization of bullying prevention & kindness activists to the international presence it has today.
In 2019, Jennifer received proclamations from New York City and New York State for her bullying prevention work. On behalf of the BAFP organization of student Upstanders, Jennifer accepted the 2023 ‘SPIRIT OF MATTHEW’ AWARD from the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
She is an author of Mom’s Choice, Parents’ Choice and Benjamin Franklin Gold Award-winning chapter books, most notably “The Wishful Penny - Adventures of a One-Cent Coin” written to teach kids there is immense value in being different.
Earlier in her career, Jennifer worked for foster care agencies as a life skills specialist and educator for teens and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors. She became certified by Outward Bound NYC, and in therapeutic crisis intervention. Jennifer also facilitated foster parent trainings and support groups as a consultant for NYS, and spoke nationally on ‘instilling empathy and self-esteem in at-risk youths.’
She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York, and is currently serving a 3-year appointment on the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights.
Amy Duver
Office & Program Manager
Rick Landry
We first met Amy in 2017 when her son, Aidan, starred as JED TRAVIS in our Broadway World Award-winning production of "It's Easy!" and we have been enamored ever since! Amy was dubbed a Be A Friend Project SUPER Ambassador in 2018 for her on-going efforts to bring the show and Project to the local school district where she was President of the PTA. Her background spans from managing a large non-profit Foundation in NYC to being the Coach for school swim teams. Amy INSPIRES and we are thrilled she is working her philanthropic acumen and can-do enthusiasm for the BAFP mission - and gifting her warmth and kindness - as Office & Program Manager.
Heather Pinieri
Development Director
Rick Landry
Heather Pinieri is thrilled to join the BAFP team in 2023, marking a return to the wonderful world of nonprofits. Throughout her career she has raised millions of dollars for exceptional organizations, beginning in the Capital Region with positions at the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Egg Center for the Arts and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall before relocating to Vermont to serve as the Director of Development of the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, where she also directed their capital campaign.
More recently, Heather was the Director of Development for Spring Lake Ranch Therapeutic Community before moving back “home” in 2017 to the Hudson Valley where she was born and raised. Heather is an established Realtor with Century 21 Realty Center, working alongside her childhood best friend to make the dream of home ownership a reality for many grateful clients.
Heather has served on the Boards of the Association for Fundraising Professionals Northern New England Chapter and the Northshire Day School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from SUNY Oneonta. In her free time Heather loves to laugh with her three children and husband Marc, while cooking, camping, and trying to keep their garden alive.
Kimmie Edge
Kindness Club Coordinator, Speaker
Rick Landry
Kimmie started as a Volunteer BAFP Office & Event Assistant and member of the "Letter Review Crew" in 2019. In 2020, she was awarded Super Ambassador, and accepted the interim role of Social Media Teen Ambassador helping us post content on the Project's Instagram and Twitter pages.
Kimmie was selected to serve on the Teen Kindness Board in 2021 and has been a part of the Moderating Team for quarterly virtual Board meetings. A powerful voice for victims of bullying, Kimmie has been a Speaker at our annual Gala and at our Broadway Kids For Kindness Benefit at 54 Below in NYC in 2023. She speaks on the impact of bullying and the BAFP on her life.
Kimmie accepted the Kindness Club Coordinator position, working to inform and inspire BAFP Kindness Club members nationwide while she attends Rutgers University in the Nursing Program.
Brielle Withers
On-Air Teen Super Ambassador/Vlogger
Essential Teen Volunteer
Rick Landry
Brielle was 11 when she auditioned for "It's Easy!" in 2017 and scored the leading role of "STACEY" in what became an 8x Broadway World Award-winning production. Brielle initiated the role of "On-Air Teen Ambassador" on Youtube, making it easier for schools across the country to introduce each Friend Mail Recipient. Awarded SUPER Ambassador in 2018, Brielle hosted letter-writing parties and has led elementary school assemblies to introduce the BAFP. In 2019, she met with Cornwall Central School District Administration and Educators to seek district-wide participation, and succeeded! Brielle was recognized as a "Student of Achievement" by NY Assemblyman Schmitt after being nominated by the CCSD for her BAFP Ambassador work. In 2022, Brielle was awarded the world's most prestigious Humanitarian and Social Action Award for youths ages 9-25: the Diana Award. Brielle currently attends the Boston Conservatory where she continues to vlog her introductions to each new Friend Mail Recipient.
Daniel Simpson
Media Coordinator
Rick Landry
Daniel works part-time remotely from the University of Michigan where he studies theater and business. Of course, Daniel is already a familiar friend to the BAFP. As a middle schooler, Daniel was a 2017 cast member of the 8x Broadway World Award-winning professional run of “IT’S EASY! The Friend Strong Musical.” In 2018, he was awarded Super Ambassador for 2+ years of sending letters of support in our Friend Mail Program. In 2020, he founded the UPstanders Club at Bergen County Academies to be a safe space for students to talk about their experiences with bullying and raise awareness. He is a founding member of the National Teen Kindness Board and served as Chair in 2024. Daniel was also our full-time Marketing & Strategy Intern in Summer 2024 where he led initiatives such as the BAFP Scholarship and Kindness Club Challenge. In his free time, Daniel enjoys acting, singing, cooking, staying active and spending time with friends and family.
Board of Directors and Officers
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