Dignity Health | hello Healthy | Spring 2018

HelloHealthy | Spring 2018 3 How do you inspire kids to be caring, generous, and kind? These “characters” are teaching local children lifelong lessons in compassion and kindness. What began as a student-based Dream Builders community project through the Jim Burke Ford Education Foundation, the Hello humankindness Friends program has evolved into a positivity movement that approaches antibullying messages from pro-kindness angles. Animated kindness Matthew Prewitt and Bree Wattonville, from LOS Productions, collaborated with local high school students to create kid-friendly kindness lessons that feature animated character illustrations in positive, playful settings. Dignity Health Mercy & Memorial Hospitals is proud to sponsor this video series that is now featured in elementary schools throughout Bakersfield. The material is created in partnership with local students between kindergarten and eighth grade, and it even features their voices in the monthly animated shorts. And…action! Referred to by its creators as #KindIsTheNewCool, the curriculum features discussion topics and action plans guided by the storylines in each two-minute video. The growing library covers topics such as making friends, good sportsmanship, being kind to yourself, and helping families in need. This fall, a Spanish-language version of the Hello humankindness Friends program will be introduced into Kern County classrooms. Need a pick-me-up? Visit dignityhealth.org/bakersfield/ humankindnessfriends to watch the latest videos. We dare you not to smile! Each month features original animations, with accompanying lesson plans and classroom activities for lower and higher age groups. Hello humankindness Friends