Massachusetts Nonprofit Spotlight: SPARK Kindness

This feature is part of a recurring series on Massachusetts nonprofits, through which Boston Mamas Founder + Editor Christine Koh donates her digital real estate in order to shine a light on great work that is happening in this fine state to help those in need. If you work at or know of a fantastic Massachusetts nonprofit worthy of feature, fill out this form!

Today’s spotlight is on SPARK Kindness, a grassroots community effort to address bullying and cyberbullying. The responses below are written from the voice of SPARK Kindness staffer Leah Parker-Moldover.

Massachusetts Nonprofit Spotlight: Science From Scientists

What is the story behind SPARK Kindness?

SPARK Kindness, Inc. launched in 2010 as a grassroots community effort to address bullying and cyberbullying. Now in 2021, SPARK has grown into a nonprofit convener, educator, resource, and friend for our 8,400 members and beyond. SPARK Kindness hosts speakers, parenting groups, community activities, and offers support whenever needed. All SPARK programs and resources are FREE thanks to dedicated volunteers, donors, business and philanthropic sponsors, and friends.

SPARK Kindness, a grassroots community effort to address bullying and cyberbullying. Photo courtesy of SPARK Kindness.

What is the mission of SPARK KIndness?

Our mission is to build a kind, resilient, welcoming community where no one feels alone, bullied, unsupported or unconnected.

Who Does SPARK KIndness help?

At a time of divisiveness and social isolation, SPARK Kindness is a grassroots force focused on promoting our common value of KINDNESS. We offer opportunities to build belonging through our free programs, resources, and activities to connect and serve one another. We actively welcome cross community participation, and work with parents/caregivers, schools, community members, non-profits, businesses, and civic institutions. Though we are all different, SPARK offers concrete tools and ongoing support to build a community that is more kind, inclusive, connected, and healthier for all.

Further, SPARK Kindness not only amplifies “the good,” we also model the importance of framing our challenges in a way that empowers us, thus minimizing blame and division.

WHAT ARE SPARK KIndness’ CORE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES?

SPARK offers a free, year-long ”Resilient Community” speaker series, now offered on an entirely virtual platform. All are welcome! Local and national experts present on topics that support youth, individual, family, and community resilience, including emotional health, belonging and connectedness, parenting skills, substance abuse prevention, antiracism, healthy relationships, digital citizenship, and more. All Resilient Community programs are offered simultaneously in American Sign Language (ASL), and we offer select multilingual programming in Portuguese and Spanish.
Curated wrap-around supports, including program recordings, articles and videos shared regularly through email and social media channels provide additional tools and resources for SPARK participants, and highlight important mental health services offered by local, regional and national groups.
SPARK facilitates free small discussion groups and workshops that provide an opportunity to connect while learning tools that promote resilience and well-being.
The SPARK Network: Together with other communities and other organizations in Massachusetts, SPARK is working to build a network of grassroots organizations that promote kindness and resilience, and address harmful behaviors such as bullying, discrimination and substance use.
SPARK promotes an annual Kindness Week (coming up from November 13-19) and offers “Kindness Pop-ups” and free opportunities to connect through kindness while helping others!

WHAT IS THE PROVEN IMPACT OF SPARK KIndness SO FAR?

8,400 members
Over the past 11 years, SPARK has offered more than 175 free programs serving people in 30+ towns in MetroWest Boston and beyond.
SPARK has touched the lives of more than 12,000 individuals (and counting) through our free + accessible resources and community events!
Results from SPARK program evaluations and community partner feedback consistently states that SPARK is meeting a need in MetroWest Boston like no other organization, and that engagement with SPARK’s free programs and resources increases feelings of resilience, hopefulness, and connection on an individual, institutional and community-wide scale.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING EXAMPLES OF HOW SPARK KIndness HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE?

Building a culture of belonging is at the roots of SPARK’s work in the community. When we hear stories like those below from Renata and Mark, it affirms the value of our work, and the powerful correlation between connection and individual and community resilience and well-being.

Renata’s story: When Renata began attending SPARK programs nearly 10 years ago, she was a mother of young children who was working full time and feeling isolated. Renata was born in Brazil, which made finding support (locally, in Natick) more difficult. Ten years later, Renata has not only been a SPARK volunteer, Board member, and staff member, but with her leadership SPARK has developed programming to connect with the Portuguese speaking community. “I was full of doubts, overwhelmed, and felt like I didn’t belong. It turns out so many parents are struggling like I was! I want people to feel as I do now: as part of a connected community that respects and cares about me,” shared Renata.

Mark (a SPARK participant): “Growing up as an Army brat and moving every couple of years, I learned to make fast friends and to appreciate a community that was fluid and ever-changing. But, as a father and husband, I have settled in Natick, Massachusetts and my two kids have lived their whole lives in one place. SPARK Kindness is one of those groups that lets you know you are living in a vibrant, caring, and supportive community. We leaned on them when the kids were young and we all needed to figure out how to communicate better by attending high quality seminars. And again when the kids were older and we needed to navigate the murky waters of special needs support. We've enjoyed celebratory gatherings like MLK and Natick Days with them. They are a constant source of resources in understanding how to live a compassionate, kind, and resilient life.”

Here is a video from an event in 2020 that shares a bit of our impact from the perspective of our Executive Director:

WHAT ARE THE TOP NEEDS OF SPARK KIndness?

Engagement: Join us as a program participant and volunteer!
Support: Donations help keep SPARK’s important programs and resources free and accessible for all!
Amplification: Help us SPARK more Kindness in the community by sharing SPARK with your family and friends, neighbors and colleagues. SPARK is wherever you are. All our programs are now offered on a virtual platform, and our wrap-around resources and supports are accessible no matter where you live, learn, work or play! #KindnessConnectsUs!

Thank you, SPARK Kindness, for all you do for families in Massachusetts! If you want to support SPARK Kindness, an easy way would be to share this feature. And another great way would be to drop them a donation!