The Be A Friend Project is a nonprofit, based right here in Cold Spring, that empowers students to help end bullying, save lives, and build kinder communities. We are thrilled to have chosen the Be A Friend Project as the beneficiary of our Spring 2025 Giving Project. Now through the end of June 2025, when you purchase yarn at The Endless Skein to knit the Ziggy Triangle Shawl by Leila Raven, the Be A Friend Project will receive a portion of the proceeds.

We recently spoke with Jennifer Young (pictured above), Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Be A Friend Project, to learn more about how the organization came into being and the meaningful, lifesaving work they do.

How did the Be a Friend Project get started? What is your mission, and what are some of your programs and events that support that mission?

The BAFP is celebrating our 10th anniversary this year in 2025!! I think we have a fun origin story: My co-founder, January Akselrad, and I (both of us local to Cold Spring) debuted our anti-bullying, middle school show “IT’S EASY! The Friend Strong Musical” in 2015 in collaboration with a youth theater program in the Bronx. Those junior actors asked us for a way to continue the show’s “speak up, reach out and be a friend” message off-stage. We held development groups with the cast, and inspired by theater kids, we launched the Be A Friend Project!

At first, the BAFP was synonymous with what’s now our signature initiative, the Friend Mail Program. We delivered our first batch of “Friend Mail” (letters of peer support) in late 2015 to a 12-year-old boy in New Jersey to help him stay strong and know he was not alone. Fast forward to today, the BAFP has delivered over 100,000 letters of peer support from kids (in kindergarten through college) to kids living through bullying -- giving as many young writers the chance to practice EMPATHY, the best bullying prevention.

I incorporated the BAFP as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2019, and continue to serve as its executive director -- with a physical office right here in the village of Cold Spring. Since its inception, we’ve expanded to include more Kindness Initiatives and have stayed true to our roots as a “kids for kids” organization. Our student-led initiatives include school, community, and family-based Kindness Clubs, and a national Teen Kindness Board of peer-selected, self-motivated teens who meet virtually to help guide programming and exchange ideas.

Teen Kindness Board members leading BAFP's annual Walkathon

We’ve grown internationally! We have 10 Kindness Clubs in Kazakhstan alone -- and even 2 in Uganda!

The mission of the BAFP is "to support student Upstanders working to end bullying, save lives and build kinder communities!” Our vision is materializing to become the world’s leading organization of student bullying prevention and kindness activists!

How has the organization and the work changed over the years?

The organization began as a passion project in 2015 for the co-founders, self-funded and run out of my home. By 2019, our national growth necessitated incorporation into a 501c3 non-profit organization in order to support the mission. Today, the BAFP is supported by a wonderful Board of Directors, three dedicated staff, two part-time college students working remotely, and a physical office in Cold Spring -- and lots of essential volunteers.

How has the work changed? I think it would be the dream to no longer have any need for an organization like ours, but unfortunately the need has increased over the last 10 years. Reports of bullying and hate have risen, especially for populations that were already enduring a disproportionate amount of bullying, such as special needs and LGBTQ kids. There is a greater demand for the BAFP’s work to support young peer advocates working to create more caring, just and inclusive communities for ALL their peers.

What is most rewarding about the work you do?

Absolutely, most rewarding is when parents and children express how we’ve literally saved their lives and brought them hope. That’s all that matters, in the end.

Like 9-year-old Dylan’s dad in Minnesota, whose son was bullied for his love of dance, said, “we are so glad you found us, and helped support us when we felt so hopeless.”

Or, 10-year-old McKenzie’s dad in California, who wrote, "Thank you for the LIGHT you helped keep burning in my daughter. Without you guys, that LIGHT may have been snuffed out by this world."

Or, our own Kimmie Edge, a Haldane graduate who transferred here from another district after traumatic bullying, who is now remote staff from college as our Kindness Club Coordinator, and speaks at our events, saying, “The Be A Friend Project saved my life… Without the Be A Friend Project, I would not have found myself again. I would not have been able to heal and recover from the after-effects of bullying. And I wouldn't be who I am today."

These validations of our work and mission fuel my dedication -- and my gratitude for people and businesses like YOU and YOURS that choose us for their giving projects! I am so grateful.

Have there been any surprises along the way?

The acknowledgements! BAFP Upstanders have received, for instance, a Human Relations Award from the Los Angeles Unified School District. This year’s annual fundraiser youth Honoree, Brielle Diaz Withers, in 2022 received the world’s most prestigious social action and humanitarian award for youths ages 9-26: the Diana Award, from the only charity named after the Princess of Wales!! I’m especially proud of the BAFP receiving the 2023 “Spirit of Matthew Award” from the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Winning the 2023 SPIRIT OF MATTHEW AWARD from the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Pictured with Dennis Shepard (L) and Justin Nelson (R), President of the NGLCC.

What are some ways that people can get involved?

So many ways! Present the BAFP to your kids, community centers, teachers, recruit participation in the Friend Mail Program! Or, invite us to run an event! Writing even one Friend Mail letter is a gift! Start a Kindness Club! Volunteer for our Friend Mail Review Crew! Refer a child who might benefit from receiving Friend Mail! DONATE! Inspire employer matching or sponsorships! Follow us on social media! Choose the BAFP for your impact project! Students can get their volunteer service hours with the BAFP, from anywhere in the country -- or in person locally!

Put on the show! The BAFP is now written into the storyline of “IT’S EASY!” and we are its exclusive licensor to educational entities like schools and youth theater programs.

A Friend Mail “Review Crew" at the BAFP Cold Spring office

What’s next for BAFP?

We will continue to expand and grow our name recognition nationally and globally so we can reach more youths and their adult allies. In 2025, we are working to strengthen our support for student Upstanders by offering Bystander Intervention Trainings. We’re also excited to promote more licensing of the middle school show “IT’S EASY!” that started it all! It’s our best vehicle to spread the life-changing “speak up, reach out and be a friend” message.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I’d like to share how urgent our work is to prevent bullying. Statistically, on average, 6 kids a day (ages 10 and up) are dying by suicide related to bullying, and for every one of those, there are at least 100 attempts. We work to raise awareness that bullying is NEVER “just kids being kids.” The consequences of such purposeful cruelty includes educational inequalities, mental health issues, and financial hardships for families who have to homeschool or even move districts to protect their children, are overwhelming. We CAN make the difference by building and celebrating acts of kindness and empathy. As we say in the “IT’S EASY!” musical … “Change one life and you can change the world."

A picture with both co-founders, Jennifer Young (back right) and January Akselrad (front center) with the cast of Broadway Kids For Kindness, a benefit to end bullying. January stays involved with the BAFP as a supporter and volunteering her creative/music direction for BAFP performance showcases. 

Be sure to follow the Be A Friend Project on Instagram @thebeafriendproject and Facebook @BAFproject.

Your yarn purchase to knit the Ziggy Triangle Shawl, our Spring 2025 Giving project, will help support the Be A Friend Project's important work. Start your Spring Giving project today!