Mother’s Day 2012

Barbara Stevens, with Shelbie & Sammie

For all of you that are a Mother and for all of you that act as Mother to friends, sisters, and others in need of motherly love, we hold you in the highest regard.  You are giving the greatest gift, every time you reach out in love and kindness to those around you.  The Josh Stevens Foundation wishes you a Mother’s Day full of gifts of kindness and treasured memories.  May all you give come back to you in waves.

With the Most Sincere Kindness,

Josh Stevens Foundation Kindness Team

A Lesson in Kindness

Hi,
I used to teach at Legacy HS but am currently teaching out of state. I was wearing my Be Kind shirt in school and I had a 5th grader tell me,

“No, I don’t want to.”

Well, I explained where the shirt came from and we discussed what their Legacy is right now. It made a huge impact on my students. From a very smart alack remark to a lesson in kindness, respect how people view them and their actions.

Thanks, Cindy – Montana

Welcome to the new JSF Site!

Welcome to the new site! We’ve worked hard to make our site more friendly; our goal is for you to learn what the Josh Stevens Foundation is all about.

And that begins with knowing who Josh was….and the legend of kindness that he has left behind.

The slide of pictures at the top of the  ”Home” page are memories of Josh. Our hope is that those who knew Josh will send in their favorite picture of him, along with a favorite memory to go with it. In this way, we will be able to share Josh with those who weren’t blessed to have shared those special moments with him. Email photos and memories to Hope Vivas.

Just above the slide of pictures is the navigation bar. The green bar shares who JSF is. Photos and videos are included with text. The white navigation bar contains the latest information: the store, news, events, contact information, and more!

“Latest News” is where you can read all about the wonderful stories of how JSF has reached the community.

“Kind Like Josh” is reserved for schools that are involved with JSF and their stories. And with that, comes our “Caught” section, which highlights the numerous students who are being “Caught” in their kindness!

The “Testimonial” section is for those who would like to share how they have personally been touched by acts of Kindness.

If you’re looking to purchase “Be Kind” stuff, then please stop by and visit the “Store!”

Whether you’re a school or someone in the community who has been affected by JSF and our “Be Kind” message, we encourage you to send in your photos and stories. We want to hear, and share, just how the Josh Stevens Foundation is impacting the community around us!

We love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us through email or our contact forms, located on the “Contact” page.

And we’d love for you to stick around…so please head to the bottom of the site and subscribe to us by clicking on one of the heart icons located on the bottom left corner.

We will continue to add to the new site as we continue to grow!

Thank you for taking the time to visit!

Josh Stevens Foundation

Being Kind at Scherkenbach Elementary School

From the counselor at Scherkenbach Elementary School:
I had a student write this and wanted to share its AWESOMENESS!!!

The Be Kind Program

By Morganne C., 4th grader

Be Kind has impacted our school, Scherkenbach Elementary in a very positive way by showing people how and to be kind. A few years ago when we did not have the Be Kind program lots of people, including myself were bullied. I did not like the fact that other people and I were being treated this way. By having the Be Kind theme at my school I have not seen or been bullied. When I see someone being nice to me I try to be nice back by commenting on their clothes or saying something random to make them laugh. If we always have the Be Kind program at Scherkenbach, I believe that our school be will be bully-free!

Michelle’s Testimony

Hello! I met Mr. Stevens at my school, Foothill High School, today, and we discussed how I knew Josh, and how he was so kind to me. He asked me to drop a note on the website. I am so very glad that the Josh Stevens Foundation is finally coming to Foothill. For me, it was truly a blessing to have known Josh. He was a sweet kid.

I met him at Green Valley Baptist, and we went to several of the same youth trips: World Changers, D-Now weekend, and Six Flags. I remember one time when we were at D-Now and we were on a picture scavenger hunt. I was feeling a little left out because I was not quite as vocal as all the other kids on my team. However, Josh plopped a hat on my head (one of the challenges was to take a picture of some team members wearing a hat), and he pulled me into the picture. He was the first one to make me feel included. I remember being surprised because even though he was so much younger than me, he was the one making me feel included. From that moment on, I knew he was a kind person, and he was someone I wanted to be friends with. I am very glad to have known Josh. His death made me take a hard look at life and wonder what people would remember about me once I pass away. It has made me appreciate every day of my life. I believe that although Josh is no longer with us, his memory lives on, making a difference in the lives of people that didn’t even know him, and even spreading the gospel. Thank you for reading my letter. This foundation is truly a blessing.

Sincerely,

Michelle Gabel

Understanding Kindness

The Steven’s family received this today. It made me cry.

Barbara had this to share:

What an amazing gift! One of my friend’s little boy, wrote this in his journal at school the day after Drew came to speak at his school. Wow! This little boy is in 3rd grade… maybe 4th. He truly honored Josh, Josh’s foundation, and our family… Thank you to all of you who have helped to make Josh’s foundation such a huge success!!!

Love, Barbara

Please share this letter; it’s a heart-warming reminder of what the Josh Stevens Foundation is all about!

 

Be Kind Encouragement!

Each week, we receive many words of encouragement and/or comments on how the Be Kind program has encouraged others. These come through our comment box, so our readers don’t get to see the impact. I think they should; so here is a snippet of encouragement for our readers, today!

Josh Stevens has become a house-hold name in our home. When the kids wear their ”be kind” t-shirts they seem to be a little more kind. When we forget I remind them of the revolutionary, community change that has occurred because of ONE boy. Goes to show you that one boy CAN make a difference in the world.

Mr. Stevens,
It was great to meet you at Bunker ES. Thank you so much for taking the time to come and speak to us…
I will proudly wear my new t-shirt very soon. Once again, thanks.
Regards,
Paulette Allen
Special ”K”

I would like to thank the Stevens family and all of the volunteers that make this foundation possible. It has been great working with Drew and being able to focus on all the positive strengths and attributes that our students exhibit. I cannot say thank you enough for sharing your message with us and millions of others. ”Be Kind” has had a huge impact on both the students and staff at Harney Middle School.

I would like to thank the Stevens family and all of the volunteers that make this foundation possible. It has been great working with Drew and being able to focus on all the positive strengths and attributes that our students exhibit. I cannot say thank you enough for sharing your message with us and millions of others. ”Be Kind” has had a huge impact on both the students and staff at Harney Middle School.

Seeing you yesterday at our school was eye opening. We all need to take more time and love those around us. I when home and told my 3 boys how much I loved them. On my soccer teams we have always had 2 rules Be on time and Be nice. In our classroom we add one more rule try. As my mother always told me ”It does not cost anything to be nice.” Gods speed to you and yours.

We’d love to hear more! Please post your comments below on how “Kind Like Josh” has impacted you or someone you know.

Be Kind Pumpkin!

 

Kay Carl ES is having a pumpkin carving contest between the teachers this week; promoting kindness. They thought this pumpkin was perfect and sent it to us! Quote, “I hope this pumpkin helps remind others to *Be Kind* especially during the upcoming holiday season.”

We just love the pumpkin! Thank you for sharing it with us!

 

 

A Letter from Del Web Middle School

Ms. Paula Naegle, Principal Ms. Andrea Katona, Assistant Principal Mr. C. Joseph Saunders, Assistant Principal Ms. Theresa Taylor, Dean of Students Ms. Carrie Regula, Dean of Students

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Stevens:

The students and staff of Del Webb Middle School held a special fund raiser at our school to benefit the Josh Stevens Foundation.

On December 18, 2009, we held our monthly Casual for a Cause day, a day we designate for our staff to wear denim if they want to participate – by donating $5 to the charity that we as a staff have selected for the month. We also do a one-minute collection during which students may volunteer to donate their spare change to the cause.

We are happy to report that we raised $706.66   Enclosed is a check from Del Webb Middle School. We hope that our donation will help pay for more “You’ve Been Caught Being Kind” rewards for deserving children in our community. We share your belief that genuine kindness born in the heart of a child deserves celebration.

Sincerely,

Paula Naegle, Principal Del Webb Middle School

2200 Reunion Drive ‚ Henderson, Nevada 89052 ‚ (702) 799-1305