In 2010, local parents Michele Woolard and Christine Guthery embarked on their journey to combat bullying and cyberbullying within the school system. Their first meeting was modest, attended by just 30 people, however the organization has since grown exponentially. Currently, SPARK Kindness, Inc. has more than 3,000 followers in Natick and beyond.
SPARK, which stands for Successful, Positive, Authentic, Resilient Kids, is an official 501(c)(3) non-profit run by a board of directors that includes parents and community members. In addition to preventing bullying, SPARK also strives to promote kindness and resilience within the community.
“We want to build strong, inclusive and empowered communities where no one feels isolated or disconnected,” Founder and Executive Director Christine Guthery said. “We believe we are stronger together. We want children and families to feel supported in our community.”
The organization educates community members to face challenges together through a number of program series, free resources on bullying prevention, and help from community leaders. The goal is that no child or family will feel alone, bullied or unsupported.
“SPARK is focused on the principle that parents need support rather than judgment,” Guthery said. “Supporting parents by providing resources means, in turn, they are able to support the children.”
MLK Celebration:
Stand Up For Justice
This month, SPARK will join the Interfaith Clergy Association of Natick, the Natick School Department and Natick Together for Youth in the 12th annual community celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be held at the Wilson Middle School on January 16 at 10 a.m. and will focus on standing up for justice and truth instead of labeling people based on their ethnicity or beliefs. Community service projects and conversations will follow the celebration.
“There [will be] a service opportunity for young people to make messages about peace and inclusion to be featured throughout town, and resource booths for community members to connect,” Guthery said.
The keynote speaker at the event is Jim Kates who, as a 19-year-old college student, worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to bring together both black and white volunteers. Also featured at the event will be music from the Johnson Elementary School Peacemakers chorus, and performance groups from the middle and high schools, along with readings by the prize winners of the MLK essay contest.
According to Guthery, the spirit of the event embodies all that SPARK and its members are trying to convey with their message to the community.
“It provides affirmation that Natick is a place where we will stand together and stand up against discriminatory acts of any kind,” she said. “We can all be different, but we can all take care of each other.”
Issue Date:
January, 2017
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