by Kayla Myers, Peer Support Coordinator

August 19, 2025

As we navigate the challenges of today's world, from political tensions to economic struggles, it’s easy to forget that the most essential part of our humanity is a simple act of kindness. On Be Kind to Humankind Week, we are gifted an opportunity not only to reflect on the value of kindness but to practice and advocate for it in our everyday lives consistently. As someone who wears multiple hats, from a peer supporter role to an advocate for social change, this week holds deeper significance.

In the role of a peer supporter, I have witnessed the ripple effect of kindness. Whether I was helping a family navigate a mental health crisis, providing emotional support to a caregiver, or simply lending a listening ear to someone in need, the power of kindness is undeniable. It’s in the small gestures. A comforting word, a shared cup of coffee, a reassuring message can make all the difference. For human beings who are fighting silent battles or going through the toughest times, these moments of human connection can be a lifeline.

However, the real challenge we face is extending that kindness beyond our immediate circles, especially in times when it feels like the world is divided. Right now, as a country, we are experiencing deep social and political division, an ongoing public health crisis, and economic instability. We are struggling to keep our heads above water, and many are feeling the weight of uncertainty and fear.

In my eyes, this is precisely the time when kindness is most needed.

As an advocate for mental health and social change, I often find myself pushing for policy shifts and societal reforms that prioritize the well-being of all people. But advocacy doesn’t stop in the halls of government or on social media platforms. It starts with each of us, in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. The most significant change often begins with small, personal acts of kindness.

We are seeing what can feel like an overwhelming number of issues in the world right now: injustices, scrutiny for speaking out about the wrong that is being done daily, the rise of mental health struggles, and more. But I can only hope, in these moments of chaos, that kindness can act as a beacon of hope, a reminder that there is good in the world despite the noise. With life experience and with my work as a peer supporter, I’ve seen how simple acts can spark real, tangible change.

Kindness isn’t just about being nice; it’s about advocating for justice, lifting others up, and standing together in the face of adversity. It’s about showing up for the people who need us most. And right now, as a country, we need each other more than ever.

What can be done? What can you do? How do you get started? I am so glad you asked! Here is a simple list of ideas that I hope will help spark something within you so you can keep implementing small acts of kindness every day:

1. Listen Without Judgment
   Sometimes, the most powerful form of advocacy is simply being a compassionate listener. When we listen to each other’s stories without judgment or preconceived notions, we validate people’s experiences. Listening is the first step in offering support and understanding.
2. Support Mental Health Initiatives
   Mental health is at the forefront of our collective struggles today. As a peer supporter, I know the importance of advocating for more accessible, equitable, and compassionate mental health services. Kindness means standing with those who need help and fighting for resources that can change their lives.
3. Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue
   In a divided world, we need spaces where people can discuss their differences with respect and empathy. Organizing community discussions or engaging in open dialogues about current events can foster understanding, dissolve fears, and build bridges where walls once stood.
4. Leading with Empathy in Policy
   Whether advocating for healthcare, education, or economic support, it's critical to approach these issues with empathy. Policies that impact human beings should be crafted with a deep understanding of the diverse challenges people face. A kinder, more equitable society requires us to work from a place of care and compassion, not just statistics and numbers.
5. Model the Change You Want to See
   One of the most powerful ways we can spread kindness is by modeling it in our own actions. Whether it's in our families, at work, or in our communities, showing kindness in the way we interact with others sets the tone for those around us. Kindness is contagious. The more we practice it, the more it will spread.

 We are all living through trying times, but these times do not define us. What will define us is how we respond. As individuals and as a collective society, we can choose kindness, not just on Be Kind to Humankind week, but every day. Kindness in the face of adversity can heal wounds, build communities, and drive us toward a more just and compassionate world.

As someone who has walked alongside my peers in their most vulnerable moments, I can attest to the transformative power of kindness. It is the glue that holds us together when everything else feels like it's falling apart. And if there’s one thing I know, it’s that we are all capable of spreading kindness in ways that create lasting change.

So, this Be Kind to Humankind week, I encourage you to reach out. Reach out to a neighbor, a friend, a stranger, or a family member. Let them know they’re seen, heard, and valued. Advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of ALL people. And, perhaps most importantly, remember that kindness doesn’t just change the world, it heals it.

Kindness is not just a gesture, it’s a movement. As a peer supporter, as an advocate, and as a human being, I believe in the power of kindness to heal, unite, and empower us to create a better tomorrow. Let's make this Be Kind to Humankind week the start of something bigger. Let's make it a reminder that, no matter how dark the world may seem, kindness will always be the light that guides us home.

(Edited and enhanced using ChatGPT)

by Kayla Myers, Peer Support coordinator

July 21, 2025

Every year, National Parents’ Day comes and goes, and honestly, I didn’t even know it existed until a few years ago. There are no balloons or wrapped gifts. No themed parties, school plays, or glittery cards like we see on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. And honestly? That’s what makes it feel more real to me.

Parenting doesn’t usually look like a greeting card. It’s unfiltered. It’s behind the scenes. It’s deeply personal. It’s also the hardest, but most sacred, thing I’ve ever done.

Parenting is early mornings with tired eyes and late nights filled with worry. It’s asking myself, Did I say the right thing? Was I too soft? Too strict? Too distracted? Too emotional? Am I giving them enough? Am I enough? It’s making a thousand decisions a day and second-guessing at least half of them. It’s pouring from a cup that sometimes feels empty, and still showing up the next day with whatever strength I can find. Because their love keeps me going.

And yet, even in the chaos, there is so much beauty.

There’s laughter that echoes through the house, sometimes because of something silly, sometimes for no reason at all. There are milestones—and messy milestones. Little victories that might go unnoticed by the world, but mean everything to us. There are those quiet, sacred moments when I look at my kids and catch a glimpse of the people they’re becoming, and I think, “I get to be their mom.” That thought alone has carried me through some of the toughest days.

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual. I learned that fast the day I brought my oldest home from the hospital. And no two parenting journeys look the same. There are seasons of pure joy, and there are seasons that feel like sheer survival. I’ve had to learn to let go of the idea that I need to do it all on my own. I’ve leaned on the support of other parents. I’ve asked for help, even when it was hard. And I’ve reminded myself that perfection isn’t the goal, presence is.

So this month, in honor of National Parents’ Day, I want to pause and recognize all of us who are simply doing the best we can.

Whether you’re a birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, bonus parent, grandparent raising grandchildren, or a chosen parent, your love matters. Your consistency matters. YOU matter.

Let’s keep building each other up. Let’s offer grace instead of guilt. Let’s remind ourselves—and each other—that even on the hardest days, we are doing something deeply meaningful.

Because at the heart of parenting lies a quiet, powerful truth: we are shaping lives with our love. It may be messy. It may be imperfect. But it is real and it is enough.

From one parent to another: Happy National Parents’ Day. You’re doing better than you think.

With love and solidarity,
A fellow mom who gets it

(Edited and Enhanced by ChatGPT)

by Kayla Myers, Peer Support coordinator

June 24, 2025

I’m a mom of boys, loud, messy, hilarious, curious, deep-feeling boys.

And if I’m honest, one of my greatest hopes, besides them eventually learning to do their laundry and clean up after themselves, is that they grow into men who feel safe being whole. Not just strong or stoic or successful. But soft when they need to be. Honest. Vulnerable. Supported.

Because here’s the truth, one I’ve heard from every mom of boys and quietly carried myself: the world still struggles to let our sons be fully human.

We tell our kids, “It’s okay to cry,” but somewhere between kindergarten and manhood, that message gets lost. Replaced by phrases like “man up,” “don’t be soft,” and “real men don’t talk about their feelings.” And those words don’t just bounce off; they sink in. They settle deep.

As moms, we see their hearts before the world tells them to hide them. We see the quiet anxiety before the tough-guy mask forms. We know the pressure they carry in silence, the self-doubt buried behind humor, the frustration when they don’t have the words to explain what’s going on inside.

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. And if it reminds me of anything, it’s this:

We don’t just need to raise good men.
We need to raise whole men.

Men who know it's okay to ask for help.
Men who’ve had practice expressing what they feel.
Men who’ve seen someone care about what’s happening beneath the surface.

Here’s what I’m doing, or I should say, what I’m trying, daily:

• I ask them how they’re feeling, and I try not to rush past the silence.
• I talk about therapy like it’s normal, because it is.
• I praise emotional honesty just as much as achievements.
• I work on asking for help myself, because they’re always watching.

In my eyes, no boy should grow up believing his feelings make him weak.

So, whether you're a parent, an aunt, a coach, a teacher, or a friend, be part of the voice that says:

You don’t have to pretend you're okay when you’re not.
You’re not less of a man for needing support.
You’re more of one for knowing when to reach out.

To my sons, and all the boys growing into men:
Your mind matters.
Your emotions matter.
You matter.

Let’s raise them to believe it.

(Edited and Enhanced with ChatGPT)

by Kayla Myers, Peer Support Coordinator

January 28, 2025

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time that holds deep meaning for my family and countless others around the world. My son is almost 9 years old, and he is non-speaking. While he may not use words in the way most people do, he communicates in a hundred other beautiful, meaningful ways. I am always seeking the words for my personal hero, my son.

When I first heard the words “your child is on the autism spectrum,” I felt everything at once: fear, love, confusion, and an overwhelming desire to understand what the future might hold. I imagined the challenges he might face, the misunderstandings, the uphill battles. But what I couldn’t yet see was how much he would teach me. He has taught me valuable lessons about patience, resilience, perspective, and the power of connection that doesn’t require words.

Our days are filled with routines and rhythms that make sense to him. He used to spend hours lining up his toys in a way only he could understand, watching water swirling endlessly down the drain, and listening to the same song over and over again. These are just the things that bring him comfort and joy. They are just a few examples of how he experiences the world. And when I slow down and truly see things through his eyes, I realize how much intention, beauty, and clarity live in the moments that I used to overlook.

He may be non-speaking, but he is never silent. His laughter lights up the room when something speaks his language. His eyes sparkle when he wants to share a moment with me. His hands flap joyfully when he’s proud of himself or when he is excited. And when he’s overwhelmed, I feel his pain in my bones. Even when he doesn’t say, “Mom, I need help,” I know. And I respond with everything I have.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as a mother is this: communication is so much more than words. It’s gestures, eye contact, presence, energy, and love. In our home, we celebrate every form of expression. Whether it’s pointing, using a communication device, pulling me toward what he needs, or simply placing his hand in mine when he’s seeking comfort. These are his words. And they are valid. They are powerful. And this is when I feel so connected to the idea of connection.

I’ve always been a people person. I may not excel at the things most people do, but I get people. I easily read between the lines, I am very aware of the subtle shifts in body language, the emotion behind a glance, the weight carried in a quiet moment. I’ve come to understand that everyone has a story, and that what we see on the surface is just one layer of many. I know that life can be painful. And I find grace in my ability to hold space for others, not to fix or solve, but simply to sit with them in their pain, to truly see them, and to understand even just a fragment of what they’re carrying.

But it’s my son, my beautiful, non-speaking son — who has helped me take that ability to a deeper level. He has taught me how to truly listen without words, how to tune in to the language of presence, energy, and emotion. In walking alongside him, I’ve learned to support what’s unspoken with more compassion and clarity than I ever thought possible.

Autism Awareness Month is about more than awareness, it’s about acceptance, understanding, and celebration. It’s about recognizing that autistic individuals, whether they speak or not, bring extraordinary strengths, perspectives, and beauty into this world. My son has shown me that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and honored exactly as they are.

So if you’re reading this, I invite you to lean in. Listen. Learn. Unlearn. Listen to parents like me, yes — but more importantly, listen to autistic individuals themselves. Their voices matter most. They are the true experts on their own experience. And often, the very people the world tries to speak for.

Let’s build a world where all kinds of communication are valued, where neurodiversity is not just accepted but embraced, and where being non-speaking never means being unheard.

To my beautiful boy: you are brave, man, you are brave. You are brilliant and I know more brilliant than I could even understand. And you are deeply loved, exactly as you are. I will always be your voice until the world learns how to truly listen. 

Edited and enhanced by ChatGPT

by Mandy Nunes, Assistant Director

December 5, 2023

Ah, the Holidays. A season that is meant to bring connection, gratitude, love, hope, and joy. But for many, the holiday season can be extremely painful or difficult for a variety of reasons. I am not a religious person, so the spirit of Christmas for me may be different than many people. Christmas is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the “togetherness”, it’s in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it’s a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what’s important and become better versions of ourselves. I love the beauty of Christmas. We begin to decorate the first weekend after Halloween, so we can celebrate the season a little longer. My oldest daughter even has the middle name December, because being pregnant with her reminded me of the joy and love that I feel during that month. We love Christmas music and driving around to look at lights. And we also love being able to give the people we love thoughtful gifts.

This year the Christmas season has been more challenging for us. Due to delays with some state contracts going out, I had to be laid off from work for a little while. I was then brought back on under our family division, but the position is only 30 hours a week, not my usual 40. This created quite a financial hardship. We quickly realized that we likely wouldn’t be able to afford Christmas in the usual ways. We’ve had to humble ourselves, seeking assistance for Christmas gifts for our children, and relying on local organizations that help with food insecurity to get us through. Also, our kids are teenagers now, and this was the first year that the kids didn’t help with decorating the house and tree, preferring to spend their time doing other activities with their friends. Though we totally understand, it’s hard for parents to realize their babies are growing up!

As you can see, we’ve had a lot of additional stressors this year, stressors that can create barriers to really getting into the spirit of Christmas. But we have chosen to do things that reinforce our desire to celebrate. We’ve chosen to add some lights and additional dollar store decorations outside of our home, as well as making the inside very festive. We have been watching lots of Christmas movies, more than usual. I’ve done more holiday baking this year. I try to make it a point to listen to Christmas music for a little while every day. Even though we can’t afford our normal Christmas party with friends, we have set a time to all go out together to look at Christmas lights.

In the midst of these challenges, we’ve found that embracing the simple pleasures of the season has brought unexpected joy. There is a special warmth in the glow of extra lights, the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and the shared laughter during a Christmas movie marathon. These small moments have become our refuge, providing a sense of normalcy and connection that transcends the financial hardships we face.

It's a reminder that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t solely defined by grand gestures or elaborate celebrations. It resides in the ability to find joy in the midst of adversity, to appreciate the love and togetherness that can be found even in the simplest of traditions. While we navigate the challenges of this holiday season, we've discovered that the essence of Christmas lies not in the abundance of presents under the tree, but in the richness of the love we share with our family and friends.

As we continue to find creative ways to celebrate within our means, we're learning that the true magic of Christmas is in the resilience of the human spirit. In the face of financial uncertainty and the realization that our children are growing up, we choose to focus on the enduring values of love, generosity, and the warmth that comes from being together. This holiday season might be different from the ones we've known before, but it's teaching us that the heart of Christmas isn’t found in the material aspects but in the intangible bonds that hold us close.

Our journey through this challenging holiday season has underscored the importance of embracing the true essence of Christmas. It's not about lavish gifts or extravagant celebrations, but about the enduring spirit of love, compassion, and connection. As we navigate the complexities of life, we find solace in the simple joys that this season brings.