Coalition Values

The MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition is a community-driven initiative convened by Spark Kindness, rooted in values of kindness, resilience, and inclusion for all.  

Our Goal

• The goal of the MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition is to work together as a community to prevent and address bullying in all of its forms, including Identity Based Bullying.

Our Role

• We believe that it is “on all of us” to address and prevent bullying. Anti-bullying work is not for any single individual, family, or school/institution. We all have a role to play in creating a safer and more respectful community for all.
• No child or individual is safe unless the entire community is aware of bullying and committed to addressing bullying in all of its forms. Therefore true bullying prevention is the work of an entire community.
• Every organization or individual has a potential role in preventing bullying. This includes parents/caregivers, schools, faith leaders, police, artists, medical and mental health professionals, coaches, elected officials, non profits, community leaders, and others.

Our Frame (based on the Spark Kindness Model)

• We are strengths based and community based. Bullying is isolating and disempowering. Focusing on our strengths and working together is an effective antidote to bullying.
• We are welcoming to all, and embrace people with different backgrounds including religion, race, disability, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical appearance, age, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make people unique.
• We believe in the power of growth mindset and self awareness. In the words of Dolly Chugh, we need to let go of needing to be perceived as “good people” in order to become better people. [1]
• We practice Empowered Neutrality.™ Though we are a neutral, non-partisan organization, we are active in standing up for the respect and dignity of all.
• We believe that bullying, including Identity Based Bullying, is not political, though it has been politicized.
• Identity Based Bullying, and the right of everyone to be treated with dignity and respect, is a human issue, not a political one.
• We believe in the power of kindness, generosity of spirit, and empathy to transform ourselves and others.

Our "Two Truths"

We believe in the importance of two simultaneous truths:

1. We believe that harmful behavior (including Identity Based Bullying) should be clearly named and condemned, and the target supported immediately. (We believe in condemning harmful behavior but not in condemning people/individuals). [2]
2. At the same time, we believe in the power of every person to grow, change and do better.

[1] See Chugh, Dolly The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias (2018).

[2] See King Center for Nonviolence (MLK Principles of Nonviolence: “Nonviolence Seeks to Defeat Injustice, or Evil, Not People”).

Join us as we work together to build an inclusive community where everyone feels safe and supported.