Empathy: Taking a walk in someone else’s shoes


Bullying is a problem that affects everyone. The inaugural June 3rd Kidsbridge WALK2STOP BULLYING at The College of New Jersey was designed to raise awareness of positive social strategies to create kinder, more empathetic interactions among kids, teens and adults.

Each hand print represents a kid’s contribution to stop bullying.

Research shows that empathy is declining precipitously in our society. Kidsbridge aims to reverse this trend by teaching youth and educators to not be afraid to stand up and speak out when they see bullying behavior. That is the only way things will get better.

Some 400 walkers completed a two-mile course following an energetic presentation by Grammy-winning kids’ entertainer Amy Otey (Miss Amy) and a ribbon-cutting by TCNJ President Barbara Gitenstein, New Jersey state lawmakers, walk co-chairs and Kidsbridge board Chairman Frank Lucchesi.

Walk2Stop Bullying is launched by cutting the inaugural ribbon
400 people marched to stop bullying on June 3rd.

After their trek around campus, many walkers visited the open house at the Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum in TCNJ’s Forcina Hall, where volunteers answered questions.

Big and small – people caring and paying it forward.

The only youth tolerance museum in the United States, Kidsbridge extends a heartfelt thank-you to all the walkers, donors, volunteers and vendors who participated in the WALK2STOP BULLYING. We are especially grateful to our presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo and to our many other sponsors.

Visit our Facebook page to see all the pictures of our Walk, and Like our page if you are so inclined. 🙂

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All photos taken by Frank Jacobs Photography. This article was originally published in the Times of Trenton, Letters to the Editor – June 30th


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