Kidsbridge provides evidence-based programs to develop empathy, promote tolerance, stop bullying & create UPstanders and changemakers.

Problem

In discussions with educators visiting the Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum, teachers have expressly stated that they have noticed recent changes in the core values & ethics of their elementary/middle school students. Teachers indicate that this new generation is driven by materialism and an increasing addiction to technology – leading to declines in interpersonal skills and a lack of empathy for fellow classmates. While by no means a scientific study, it is an accurate and sad commentary on the state of youth that will become America's future leaders -- and is worrisome. We ALL need to work harder to change this alarming trend of devaluing the feelings and lives of others. Kids need to be empowered to Stand Up and Speak out! Bystanders need to be converted into UPstanders and changemakers!

Solution

KIDSBRIDGE is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing imaginative, hands-on programs focusing on: anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying; tolerance; diversity appreciation and respect for all persons; victim empowerment and positive self-esteem; conflict resolution and empathy; sensitivity to persons with disabilities; respect for LGBT persons and grassroots youth activism. Since 1996, Kidsbridge has sought to fill the large voids that exist in the learning of life skills, character education and diversity appreciation with programs featuring knowledge, aspiration and empowerment. The jewel in the Kidsbridge crown is the Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum – the only youth-oriented tolerance museum in the U.S. and generously housed on campus at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in Ewing. Each year more than 2,000 students and educators visit the Museum, learning strategies to better deal with the challenging character education and diversity appreciation issues facing today’s youth.

Example

A four-hour visit to the Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum is much more than a field trip; it is a transformational experience. The success of this program is confirmed because of the “EVIDENCE-BASED” statistics that support significant attitudinal improvement in: 1) empathy, 2) stereotype knowledge and 3) aspiration to college after just a single museum trip. Each year more than 2,000 students and educators visit the Museum, learning strategies to better deal with the challenging character education and diversity appreciation issues facing today’s youth. The Museum includes components of the exhibit “Face to Face: Dealing with Prejudice and Discrimination,” created by the Chicago Children’s Museum and purchased by Kidsbridge in 2006. In an open and interactive environment (also known as a learning lab), TCNJ students and professors, along with volunteer retired educators from the local community, meaningfully interact in small group discussions with visiting elementary and middle school students and educators. To date, more than 9,300 youth have visited the Museum. Kidsbridge’s main focus is to present the learning of life skills, character education, empathy and diversity appreciation with knowledge, aspiration, inspiration and empowerment to as many youth and educators as possible. Kidsbridge wants to equip kids and energize educators so they are better prepared to deal with negatives like bullying, cyberbullying, stereotyping and name-calling -- as well as positives like victim empowerment, self-esteem and UPstander (not bystander) behavior when they return to school.

Marketplace

Other nonprofits and commercial businesses present anti-bullying programs, but most are "finger-wagging assemblies" that aren’t evidence-based. Kidsbridge has a differential advantage because our work is built on a platform of empathy and self-esteem activities. Competitors don't exist; Kidsbridge is the only youth-oriented museum focusing on tolerance, empathy, self-esteem and diversity appreciation in the U.S. In a unique partnership with TCNJ, Education & Psychology professors and college students lead small group discussions for visiting students and educators. Every child is encouraged to speak and listen. Kidsbridge plans to create videos and concomitant lesson plans that can be shared, so the “Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum Experience” can be promulgated to schools across the country.