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At the heart of our partnership with the BROADWAY STAR PROJECT...

 

The Be A Friend Project was inspired in 2015 by the debut junior cast of "IT'S EASY! The Friend Strong Musical." The middle school actors asked the playwrights, January Akselrad (composer) and Jennifer Young (now BAFP Executive Director) for a way to carry the show's "speak up, reach out and be a friend" message off-stage. Through the visceral experience of theater, the young performers had seen how, as kids, they had the power to save a life - by standing up and being a friend.

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Bullying is never just “kids being kids.”  On average, 6 youths (ages 10 & up) die by suicide every day in the U.S. related to bullying - and for each one of those, there are at least 100 attempts. 

 

The impact of bullying—for all involved - leaves lasting damage. Families are left heartbroken and facing financial hardships such as relocating to switch districts, leaving jobs to homeschool, or taking on crushing medical and therapy costs. 

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The most effective bullying prevention? EMPATHY.  

Research confirms it: Students with high empathy stand up for their peers; those with low empathy are more likely to bully or enable it.

 

That’s why empathy-building is at the heart of everything we do at the BAFP - from our kindness & creative initiatives to the transformative power of theater. DRAMA IS EMPATHY IN ACTION. 

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The BAFP is thrilled to partner with the Broadway Star Project, not only to connect our dear Aidan's two greatest passions and organizations... but to provide a professional vehicle for talented kids to find a place of belonging and potential, while building their capacity to empathize -  to create a kinder, more caring world for ALL kids. Theater - where everyone belongs - and thrives!

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2023 Spirit of Matthew Award Winner from the Matthew Shepard Foundation

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CONTACT

P.O. BOX 30

BEACON, NY 12508

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T: 845-809-5232

E: jennifer@beafriendproject.org

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ABOUT US >

The organization’s formal legal name is BE A FRIEND PROJECT, INC. It is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization / Federal Tax ID # 84-2802576. Any donation to the Be A Friend Project, Inc. is tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law, thank you!

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