World Kindness USA (WKUSA) is a registered 501 c3 Not for Profit, which launched on the back of a 20 year international campaign for a kinder world. The campaign saw national kindness bodies established in the Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia, after having launched World Kindness Day in 1998 (November 13). Designed to bring people from a diverse background together to unite nations on the platform of kindness regardless of politics, race, religion, gender, sexual preference, age and even zip codes, it has received support from heads of state and is now recognized as the official day to recognize the important role kindness plays in societies around the world.
Since launching in the US on 27th July 2018 we have already:
- Engaged 5 US cities on the east and west coast through unanimous resolutions thereby becoming founding members including securing support from numerous City Mayors such as the City of LA Mayor, Eric Garcetti.
- Engaged US District School Boards representing 200,000 students on the east and west coasts.
- Signed a LA film studio, Thunder Studios, as a founding member gaining access to all their resources.
- Secured Variety International, the USA’s oldest children’s charity becoming a founding member with its 22 offices around the nation.
- Signed the USA’s leading national Cyber Security think tank, the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT) officially joined.
- Appointed Goodwill Ambassadors in over 20 cities.
- Launched our interactive co-branded kindness cards with Cities, Businesses, Non-Profits, TEDx and Universities.
- Secured the first Law Enforcement Agency, Stafford County Sheriff’s Dept as official members to the campaign.
- Seen the first County in the USA become official members, Wicomico County MD.
- Successfully submitted an application to have the 1st US City internationally endorsed at the 10th General assembly in Switzerland and listed as a World Kindness City, (City of Salisbury MD).
How Did We Achieve This? It was through collaboration and commitment of a lot of people doing a little bit to add value rather than seek benefits of belonging. We do not seek donations, sponsorship or grants in aid, we seek engagement asking everyone to participate in the global campaign for a kinder world.
What Do We Do? We work with our member organizations in the private and public sector guiding them on how to embed a culture of kindness in their workplace and the greater community. We support our member’s initiatives leading up to World Kindness Day which include hosting “Conversations in Kindness” at official signing ceremonies for the “Declaration of Support” for a kinder world as well as the Rock 4 Kindness and Ride 4 Kindness events launching in June. We also facilitate workshops to address the barriers to kindness and provide inspirational speakers to give keynote addresses at school, community or corporate events.
Why We Do What We Do? The US is the most influential nation on the planet and needs to play a lead role in the global campaign for a kinder world. We need to place “Kindness” on the national agenda, however to do that we must first remove the myths of kindness. Kindness is the missing string to our bow that addresses the toxic cultures that lead to depression, bullying, suicide, school shootings and even acts of terror. Kindness can bridge the great American divide ensuring the seeds of fear and hate can never take root when we find our courage to be kind in the “Home of The Brave” and remain “indivisible”.