If you believe that kindness matters and should continue in Juneau as a community effort, let’s work together to find a host group for 2019.
In 2017, then-Lt. Kris Sell with the Juneau Police Department hosted a Year of Kindness in Juneau. Along with a small workgroup, Sell structured a calendar where groups and individuals could “host” a week of kindness toward others.
In 2018, R.O.C.K. Juneau, (Raising Our Children with Kindness) carried the torch forward, by highlighting the wonderful acts and activities of kindness towards young and older kids in Juneau, as well as the gaps and needs of youth in our town.
R.O.C.K. would appreciate a new group or organization that will step forward and be willing to continue some kind of kindness effort or focus in Juneau in 2019.
Both Sell and I worked with a core group of about five amazing team members, who volunteered monthly for one hour, to strategize and organize the month’s efforts. In addition, as a lead person, we spent about an hour a week connecting with people and posting “acts of kindness” on social media. We’ve used Facebook, Instagram, local radio interviews and in both years, the Juneau Empire graciously accepted monthly Kindness articles.
Could 2019 be the Year of Kindness and Health, or the Year of Kindness to Elders? Perhaps 2019 is the Year of Kindness to Animals, or our Land? The sky is the limit!
As our outgoing celebration, R.O.C.K. Juneau is hosting (and hopefully with the 2019 host) a Juneau Kindness Festival, Jan. 5 from noon-4 p.m. at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. There will be dancing and music by DJ Manu and local dance performers, snacks, prizes and lots of ways to share your kindness and have fun! There will be over 20 community resources ready to share valuable information and the entire event is free.
Let’s find and share more Juneau kindness in 2019.
If you have an idea for a potential host, please reach out to begin the conversation.
Closing a Year of Kindness for Kids
R.O.C.K. Juneau has been proud and delighted to champion kindness given to our community’s children and teens this year.
We made a one-year commitment to highlight kindness to kids from birth through young adult life, raising awareness and celebrating the generosity and connection that this town is known for.
We know that at least one mother living outside of Juneau, whose children have been separated from their father because of his incarceration at Lemon Creek Correctional Center, who has learned of ways of building reconnection through safe communication programs, like New Chapter.
We know that through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, JAMM, and Toddler Time at our libraries, and many more programs across town, amazing adults offer time and focused guidance to our young people to help them develop connection, learning and the simple joy of play. Every single young, middle or older child in Juneau benefits when kindness, mentoring, coaching, laughing, caring and smiling touches their day. Be the one who gives this gift.
Kindness develops the compassion “muscle,” that in turn benefits our physical and emotional well-being. Kindness is powerful to the recipient and the giver.
R.O.C.K. Juneau will continue efforts to co-create a community where all children are loved, equipped and empowered, despite our year of “hosting Kindness” ending with 2018.
Kindness continues because it unites us because it expresses a shared value here in Juneau, it’s our nature to be friendly and nurturing, and notice the needs of others.
In this season of reflection and giving, may Kindness continue in your heart, your actions, your words and your hope for making Juneau a more magnificent place to live and grow.
• Becky Roth has lived in Juneau over 30 years and is the R.O.C.K. Juneau coordinator. She can be reached at ROCKJuneau@gmail.com.
