Humanity Club

View fullsize

See that photo, a fifth grade student helping a younger child? This is one example of the Humanity Project’s acclaimed “Humanity Club” program. And so we offer you this latest peek into the program as a way of saying “Thank you” to every person and organization that supports the Humanity Project in any way. You make it possible for us to give away this program for free to schools in our community.

Humanity Club is about inspiring feelings of confidence and self-worth in youngsters. We handpick fifth grade student leaders, then help them to recognize their own value and the value they can share with others. This is accomplished through discussions, stories, videos, music, games, roleplaying and more. Once our kids have a firm grasp of their own worth, they find ways to teach younger kids at their school about self-worth as well as equality and respect for all human beings. We’ve been offering this program for more than 12 years now — and it works. You don’t have to believe us about the Humanity Club’s success. Just check out some of our many testimonials. As one school principal wrote to us: “Students have learned how to identify bullying, how to prevent bullying, and how to build positive relationships through interactive events led by the Humanity Club student leaders. Since the induction of the program, we have seen a reduction in behavioral incidents, particularly in 4th and 5th grades, by 47%.” We call that measurable success. And, again, it’s possible only through your support for the Humanity Project — whether that’s through direct donations, volunteering, sponsoring a child or simply following us on social media. It all helps. “Equality for each, respect for all.” That’s the Humanity Project.

Self-worth Is The Goal

View fullsize

January 28 2024: Talking about the Humanity Project’s emphasis on self-worth

The Humanity Project was founded in 2005 with one central focus: to promote individual self-worth. Despite our many changes in all those years, that goal remains our focus. Briefly, we’d like to explain why this is true.

Our stated mission is “instilling greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity.” And our trademarked motto is “Equality for Each, Respect for All!” How, then, is self-worth the focus of the Humanity Project’s work? Those statements sound as if our efforts involve social change more than individual change.

But here’s the connection, which some folks may not realize when looking over our programs: We promote social changes that result in the individual improvements we seek — that is, greater self-worth. For example, research has shown for decades that school bullying damages student psyches, lowering a child’s sense of value as a human being. Other kids are making fun of them, afterall, or even harming them physically. Obviously, this often makes bullying victims feel bad about themselves. So our acclaimed, nationally known antibullying programs help to stop the bullying, which is the immediate goal. But the true underlying intent of our programs is to prevent individual students from suffering psychological scars that may diminish their self-worth for a lifetime.

This underlying goal is also the reason the Humanity Project works as close allies of organizations in the LGBTQ community, whose individuals are disproportionately bullied and attacked, verbally and physically. And for the same reason the Humanity Project does whatever we can to promote the value of religious and racial minorities as well as all genders. By laboring for equality and respect-for-all, we’re really working to ensure that more people have the opportunity to feel good about who they are. That effort, that goal, is the fundamental “project” in our name — to create greater self-worth among our fellow humans. Or as many of us as we can reach, anyway.

Yes, equality for each, respect for all. Yes indeed, greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity. These are just lovely ways of saying that the Humanity Project wants each person to appreciate their own worth, which in turn allows them to appreciate the worth of other people. We hope to inspire a recognition of our individual humanity … and thereby, the humanity of everyone else. That’s the Humanity Project.

Nonprofit Integrity

We are less than one month into 2024, as this blog is written. But the Humanity Project already has earned a 2024 Candid Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the highly respected national nonprofit information service. This means the Humanity Project is open about our practices and our finances. It means our organization operates with integrity. And it means you can have confidence when donating to our work to “inspire greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity”… our mission. The Humanity Project is now in our 19th year, founded in 2005. During this entire period we’ve taken pride in maintaining high ethical standards. We use the money from our wonderful sponsors and individual donors in ways that further our mission. That’s one reason we get funding from important organizations such as State Farm and The Our Fund Foundation, among others. A big thank you, then, to GuideStar for this 2024 demonstration of support for the Humanity Project. We will do our best to justify their opinion of our nonprofit and the vital work we do. “Equality for each, respect for all.”

An Educator Comments On Our Work

View fullsize

Our remarks here will be brief — because the letter in this post says it all. Kind but meaningful comments from a respected educator. Dr. Lisa Sporillo is very familiar with the work of the Humanity Project. And she has found that we have made a real difference in her school. Our efforts at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary are just part of fulfilling our mission to instill greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity. Thank you, Dr. Sporillo, for the chance to spread our positive message among your students.

Back To School

View fullsize

It’s nearly that time. Another school year is just ahead, hard as that may be to believe. The summer has raced by, it seems. But as the 2023-24 term begins, we want to ask for your help: Please spread the word about the Humanity Project to any school counselors, administrators or teachers you may know. Our programs are free, proven effective … and fun for the students.

On our own, we can’t connect with all the schools that need our help to prevent bullying and instill stronger feelings in students about values such as respect, equality and self-worth. Broward County alone is home to the nation’s sixth largest school district — and we don’t have the resources to call or visit every school. So we’re looking for your assistance, please.

Here’s how you can make sure more kids get our Humanity Project positive message:

• Call, email or visit your local elementary school.

• (We have programs for older students too but need help with elementary schools only.)

• Give the elementary school this information:

• Email: info@thehumanityproject.com

• Phone: 954-205-2722

• Contact: Bob Knotts, President & Founder

• Website: www.thehumanityproject.com

That’s it. Just copy and paste those four bullet points and share them however you can. After they contact us, we’ll do the rest.

And if you’d like to volunteer for the Humanity Project this school year, please let us know. We’d love to talk with you. Thank you so much! With your help, we will reach more students than ever this year with our core message: “Equality For Each, Respect For All.” It’s needed now more than ever.

The Humanity Project

www.thehumanityproject.com

Success Stories

View fullsize

The Humanity Project has many many many success stories. We’re talking here about the progress of individuals helped by our programs, especially young people. Kids who start to believe in themselves. Teens who become leaders. Children of all ages who understand empathy and respect in meaningful ways. We’ve also helped parents learn to be better role models. And adults around the world to feel inspired by the deeper value of humanity.

Let us briefly tell you just a few of these stories — changing the names to protect the privacy of our kids.

Nelson was an insecure and immature fifth grade student when he joined our Humanity Club program. His mother explained he was unsure of his identity, perhaps his sexual orientation. We worked with Nelson week after week for an entire school year as part of our program. Little by little, we watched him emerge from his shy protective shell … and to assume leadership roles in our club. By the end of the school year Nelson said this: “I gained a lot of confidence from the Humanity Project. It helped me very much, that’s for sure.” It was obvious to everyone: After his time with the Humanity Project, Nelson was a changed child.

Another elementary school student, Tilda, avoided public speaking when she joined our program. She had a slight lisp and seemed very self-conscious. Within a few months, though, Tilda gladly took part in videos that required her to recite lines … and even led activities in front of the group. By the end of our Humanity Club, Tilda decided to write a letter to us: “Thank you for teaching me this year. You helped me gain confidence and knowledge. Thanks for all the attention you’ve given me. It made a large difference in my attitude. I’ve changed in so many ways. No other teacher has ever invested so much time in me, and I am truly grateful!"

Then there was Marion, a talented high school student. She quickly assumed a leadership role in our I Care program, arranging events and speaking to peers. And leading her own I Care team after school. Marion told us that I Care gave her an opportunity to learn, grow and develop more quickly and more fully than would have been possible without the Humanity Project. She matured as she acquired an understanding of both the issues addressed by I Care and the underlying human dynamics involved in leading other human beings. Marion went on to a college career of honors and achievement, in no small part due to her experience with the Humanity Project.

These are just some samples of the impact our nonprofit has had on individuals during the past 18 years. You can watch a short video that shows kids talking for themselves about our Humanity Club program. Perhaps we’ve also had some influence on your feelings about yourself and others. Maybe you’ve even signed our Pledge For Humanity. We know that our efforts inspire greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity. Equality, respect and self-worth are our core values. Join our campaign, won’t you? “Equality For Each, Respect For All” are values that allow us to feel better about everyone, including ourselves. That’s the ultimate goal of the Humanity Project.

Golden Transparency

View fullsize

See that seal on this page, that coveted Gold Seal of Transparency? Yes, 2023 has only just begun. But the Humanity Project already has earned that 2023 seal from Candid/GuideStar, the highly respected national nonprofit information service.

We’re proud of that. It means the Humanity Project is open about our practices and our finances. And it means you can have confidence when donating to our diligent efforts to “inspire greater respect for the goodness and inherent value of humanity”… our mission. For the entire 17-plus years of our existence, we’ve worked hard to maintain high ethical standards. We use the money from our great sponsors and individual donors in ways that further our mission. That’s one reason we get funding from important organizations such as State Farm and The Our Fund Foundation, among others.

Thank you, Candid/GuideStar for the latest show of support for the Humanity Project. As always, we will do our best to justify your opinion of our nonprofit and the vital work we do.

One Child's Call For Respect and Peace

View fullsize

As the new school year begins, we already can see that our 2022-23 Humanity Club kids are very special. You may recall that our Humanity Club is a signature Humanity Project program, bringing together handpicked student leaders for intensive training about respect, equality, diversity and self-worth — lessons they share with their peers.

At Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School, a young Humanity Club student has written a poem we thought you might like to see. Here it is, called “A World of Peace.” By Matthew Hines, 5th Grade.

If we showed respect to everyone in our schools

There would be no bullying problems

Of what we wear, and our hair, and our special abilities

Instead we greet others casually and treat them with respect

A school of peace, A world of peace

If we showed respect to everyone in our community

We will try to often have their back

If you see someone in distress don't sit back and watch

Try to help them move on with their day, don't leave them in a notch

A community of peace, a world of peace

If we showed worldwide respect

No terrorism or war

Talk it out with other leaders the correct thing to do

No violence or war is by any means necessary

Just do the right thing you know what to do

From the battlegrounds of Afghanistan

To the war in Ukraine

From the bombing of Pearl Harbor

From the terror of 9/11 Let there be peace

Because a world of peace is a beautiful world.

****

We find it hopeful that some young minds feel such feelings and think such thoughts, offering us all a much-needed injection of optimism about the future. We’re proud that the Humanity Project’s “Humanity Club” program is helping to shape and encourage children such as Matthew, who in turn teach their important lessons to fellow students. “Equality For Each, Respect For All” … that’s the Humanity Project.

Kids Rap Against Bullying

We hope you’ll take just one minute to watch the latest video by some of our Humanity Project kids — members of the Humanity Club program. It’s their own lyrics, their performances … all to help stop bullying in their school and beyond. “Bully, bully, bully, can’t you ever see? Your words really really do bad hurt me!”

If you can’t watch it through the embedded video below, here’s the link on our Humanity Project YouTube channel. We just know you’ll enjoy it … and perhaps feel inspired that these young children care about the feelings of other human beings. This video is one more way our nonprofit inspires self-worth, promotes equality and prevents disrespectful bullying behavior, whether in the schools, at home, on the roads or in the workplace. “Equality For Each, Respect For All!”

Worth A Thousand Words

View fullsize

We love this photo. It shows two of our Humanity Project kids enjoying a spontaneous moment together. It was unplanned, unstaged, unrehearsed. And to us, it reflects the essence of the Humanity Project.

Take a moment and just give that photo a good look. One smaller boy offers his high five to a taller boy of a different race who looks a bit surprised. In reality, these two know each other — both are members of our Humanity Club at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. (They’re wearing gardening gloves after helping to plant our latest Humanity Garden.) Like all the kids in that club, they are bright and caring individuals. But that moment, that joining of hands … it suggests something we find encouraging. To us, that photo is saying, “Yes, we can all get along despite any differences we may have.” It’s a small tidbit of hope in a world that badly needs hope just now. We felt this photo was worth sharing with you for that reason. Perhaps you’ll want to share it with others …

Welcome, Debra!

View fullsize

The Humanity Project is very proud to welcome a new member to our distinguished Board of Directors. After taking part in our December board retreat and remaining engaged in our efforts, Debra Annane officially has been elected to join our work promoting equality and respect-for-all.

Debra brings with her an impressive resume as Program Officer of the Health Foundation of South Florida. An adjunct instructor at the University of Miami Department of Public Health Sciences, Ms. Annane is fully certified by Brown University as a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher. She has trained extensively in the Zen Buddhist tradition since 2005 and was ordained as an urban Zen priest in 2015. Ms. Annane has developed and facilitated numerous research protocols and mindfulness-based programs for improving health and health equity. Her work in public health engages underserved and at risk populations. Previously, Debra worked in the media including the Orlando Sentinel and Discovery Channel.

Beyond her obvious credentials, Debra Annane brings to us her warmth, wisdom and humor — and personal experience growing up in Jamaica and the United States as a multiracial and multicultural female. Her journey includes a hard-won reckoning with identity, migration, cultural constructs of race, stress, resilience, social justice and body-mind health.

We are excited to join forces with this talented woman as the Humanity Project moves well into our 17th year of existence. Much work remains in striving toward a community, a nation and a world that offer “Equality For Each, Respect For All.” Debra Annane can help us find new ways to advance those efforts.

For Kids & Community

View fullsize

Children’s Services Council of Broward County is a special friend of the Humanity Project. Today we thank them again, as so many times in the past. And we remind the community of their important work helping to improve life for kids and families.

CSC Broward is a tax-funded agency that supports programs and offers other assistance to make sure that children grow up to be healthy, educated, well-balanced human beings. What could be more important? Since 2008, Children’s Services Council of Broward County has consistently aided the work of the Humanity Project as we continue to teach kids about respect for each individual, about equality, about bullying and how to stop it. Our programs are proven effective — and we have 16 years of empirical results to show their effectiveness. CSC’s funding is a reflection of our work’s value in the local community.

We recently received another generous grant from Children’s Services Council of Broward County to build a new “Humanity Garden” at an elementary school. The garden project is part of our Humanity Club program, which works with young student leaders to help them understand and spread throughout their school the values of equality and respect. We are proud of this program — and grateful for the continued support from CSC Broward. We know that expanding the minds of children requires efforts that also connect with their hearts. Our Humanity Gardens are one important tool to do just that.

We hope you’ll visit the website of Children’s Services Council of Broward County. They play a vital role in the life of the South Florida community — and in the work of the Humanity Project. Thank you, CSC Broward!