Jimmy (16) from Pennsylvania selected as November Friend Mail Recipient! 💝

9 hours ago

3 min read

"Very empathetic" 16-year-old held back for missing school days in fear of relentless bullying.

Jimmy's mom referred her 16-year-old son for Friend Mail hoping he would be "selected to feel the love and support from so many people." Her 10th Grader is "kind-hearted, book-smart and artistic," she shares. Teachers describe him as "very empathetic, caring and a good friend to others." Jimmy is "instantly comforting and helpful" to anyone who is sad or in need.

Jimmy's hobbies include drawing, crafting - and collecting plushies of "Pom Pom Purin" the yellow dog from "Hello Kitty." A big fan of Anime, he enjoyed going to a week of Anime Art Camp this past summer. Jimmy loves spending time in bookstores and reading - especially Manga. His favorite pet? A Jumping Spider named Rosey!🕷️ A responsible cat-sitter since he was nine, Jimmy also lovingly cares for his own cats: Gizzy, River and Shrimp. 🐱

Jimmy is talented at doing make-up for others, and likes putting on theater make-up for fun. When he grows up, he is considering being a mortician, a job which requires empathy and includes cosmetic work.

Before 6th Grade, Jimmy loved school and thrived in extracurricular activities such as choir, ballet, orchestra and the Scouts. But at 11 years old, the bullying began by a group of boys calling him names, threatening to beat him up, pushing him into lockers and pretending to throw sharp scissors at him.

The artistic 16-year-old wants to be a mortician when he grows up, using his empathy and skills applying make-up to create peace for others. 🧡

Rosey the Jumping Spider
Shrimp
River
Gizzy

Always shy and quiet, Jimmy kept the bullying to himself for a long time at school - but when it was finally reported, he and his mom felt the administration did not believe him. In fact, Jimmy was placed in an all-day cohort group with the same boys who were bullying him, every day targeting him for his weight, tall height and identity. Like most kids battling bullies, Jimmy's mental health was effected by increasing anxiety and self-doubt. He began expressing himself and his differences through vibrant hair colors and cuts, which his bullies ridiculed.

Unable to find safety and belonging at school, Jimmy stopped going - just like the 160,000 students who skip school every day in the U.S. for fear of being bullied. Despite switching school buildings, the bullying and PTSD followed. He missed so many days of school that he was held back for 8th Grade, and eventually began attending a cyber-school.

Currently in the 10th Grade, Jimmy is enrolled in a new program for school-avoidant students and receives a lot of therapeutic support. But, his mom shares he is still struggling to attend. She hopes receiving our letters of peer support will show Jimmy that "he is not alone" and there are more friends than bullies in the world.