Mental Health & Athletics

As leaders, we love pouring kindness into people around us. It makes us happy and it positively impacts the world, but if we don’t also care for ourselves, it can get hard on our mental health. To me, Care to Connect: Build a Kinder Tomorrow is a reminder that we need to make time for ourselves and focus on our mental health by implementing self-care in order to have a significant impact on the world.

Looking Beyond Graduation: Catching up with intern Tess about the emerging Council alumni network

In late July, Thea sat down with Riley’s Way intern Tess Abraham, to discuss the projects she’s taken on so far during her internship. Read more below to learn about the emerging Council alumni network and to hear Tess’s expert advice about being an intern!

The Interns of Riley’s Way!

Want to know more about what an internship entails at Riley's Way, the type of work being done in one, and overall what to expect? Read this interview below from our very own interns here at Riley’s Way to give you a hidden scoop of their experience working this summer!

Raising Young Voices To The Inequality of Education

Every year, Riley’s Way Foundation Councils advocate and take action for a social issue selected by the youth Council members. This year, we, the Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Astoria and Hewitt School Council, chose inequity in education, specifically in standardized testing used to determine students acceptance or success.

Reflecting on our Lunch and Learn

Before joining Riley’s Way I had always been interested in educational equity and how inequality alienates minorities in schools. However, after watching “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” by Monique W. Morris and Jacoba Atlas, with my fellow Council members I learned so much more about flaws in the education system and how Black girls are criminalized in schools.

Riley’s Way During a Pandemic?

From the TYWLS of East Harlem and Nightingale Bamford school, spreading kindness and maintaining Riley Sandler's hopes in our neighborhood.

Because Leaders Can’t Run on Empty: Riley’s Way’s All-Council Check-Ins center the importance of daily self-care habits

To document my favorite time spent as an intern here at Riley’s Way, I've created a visual collection, very vision-board inspired, of my favorite all council check-in themes.

Teen Growing Up In Charlotte Shelter Now Feeding Others

The Morning Rush, 97.5 WCOS

Teen wins grant to expand nonprofit feeding homeless

By Karle Simmons in the South Charlotte Weekly

“I know how it feels to not have food:” This 14-year-old is feeding Charlotte’s homeless

By Susie Webb in The Charlotte Observer

The Buddy Reading Experience with Shamima R.

An interview with Thea and Shamima, participants in the Buddy Reading Program

White Pine teen wins National Call for Kindness competition

From Citizen Tribune

Call For Kindness Winners Include Project In Loudoun County

By Liam Griffin in Loudoun County Patch

What Do The Council Check-Ins Mean To Us?

The name says it all. An all-Council check-in is a space where members from the three Council cohorts of Riley's Way engage for thirty minutes. Now this space is unique because it is one where every Council member can gather with other young leaders like themselves.

Call For Kindness Winners Include Taboo Talkz In Orange County

By Ashley Ludwig in Orange County Patch

Call For Kindness Winners Include PeachTree Pad In San Diego

By Kristina Houck in the San Diego Patch

30 Teens Nationwide Receive $3k Grants To Strengthen Communities

by BWW News Desk in Broadway World Miami

Celebrate the new Call For Kindness Fellows!

Watch the announcement of the winners of the 2021 Call for Kindness!

Riley’s Way Foundation Announces Winners of Call for Kindness Competition, Ages 13-19

With Most Applicants Ever from 35 States, Thirty Youth-Led Projects Address Urgent Issues Including Food Insecurity, Homelessness, and Mental Health

2021 Call for Kindness Celebration

Watch the 2021 Call for Kindness Celebration Event!

Meet Gia! An interview with Charley

Charley, a Riley's Way Ambassador, sits down with Gia Gambino, 2020 Call for Kindness Fellow and Council member, to learn about her work and involvement with Riley's Way.

Happy New Year!

Riley's Way wishes you a happy and healthy New Year!

August Newsletter

August Newsletter: remembering Riley and looking forward, intern spotlights, social media highlights, and Riley's Way in the news

July Newsletter

July Newsletter: social media highlights, project spotlight, new staff welcome, and kicking off the Call for Kindness

Be Inspired by Kindness in 2020!

Read hopeful reflections on 2020 from Riley's Way teens.

Surviving Bullying and Speaking Your Truth with Aija Mayroc‪k‬

Sincerely, Hueman Podcast

Ending Period Poverty with Megha Desa‪i‬

Sincerely, Hueman Podcast

Gaining Gender Equality Through STEM with Anjali Chadh‪a‬

Sincerely, Hueman podcast

Lifting Girls and the World Through Storytelling with Christina Lower‪y‬

Sincerely, Hueman podcast

Protecting the Lives of LGBTQ Homeless Youth with Carl Sicilian‪o‬

Sincerely, Hueman podcast

Disrupting Barriers to Success in the Latino Community with Michelle Navarr‪o‬

Sincerely, Hueman podcast

Organizations Across the Country Are Joining the Call for Kindness

Riley’s Way Foundation invites organizations to voice their support for young people and kind leadership as part of their #CallforKindness Contest

Positive People in Pinecrest : Everest Maya-Tudor

By Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld in Pinecrest Tribune

Everest Maya-Tudor ’21: A Call for Kindness

Everest Maya-Tudor ’21 recently became one of 22 teen leaders from across the country to win the second annual Call for Kindness Competition, sponsored by the Riley’s Way Foundation.

Questions & some answers, with Matthew Tengtrakrool

Hey There! I'm Brody Sandler, and this past year I had a chance to exchange some questions with one of our Call For Kindness winners, Matthew Tengtrakool.

Fighting Gender Inequality Through Comedy with Lynn Harris

Sincerely, Hueman podcast

Pandemic Heroes

by Chrisanne Grisé in Times Upfront

Call For Kindness: Teens Across America Are Sought To Inspire

by Tom Moran on Patch.com

Rising up For Kids with Learning Disabilities

Sincerely, Hueman podcast.

Double your impact this Giving Tuesday!

Giving Tuesday is a Riley's Way kind of holiday, because our collective acts make our world a better, kinder place. Join millions of people across the world today in building a massive wave of generosity that will flood into 2021.

We are Grateful for you!

We are grateful for this moment and the meaningful connections, old and new, this year has brought us. The kindness, creativity, purpose, and leadership the Riley’s Way teens, and team, demonstrated is nothing short of inspiring.

Riley’s Way Fall Newsletter

This year, especially during the holiday season, connections with others are more meaningful than ever before. At Riley's Way, we are finding new and innovative ways to connect safely and purposefully with our community.

Kind Leadership Series: Giving Tuesday Spark on 11/23

Join us for for our free Kind Leadership Series, featuring Dante Plush, Director of Youth Engagement and Outreach at Giving Tuesday, to learn more about the movement and how youth from around the world can be involved.

Kind Leader Spotlight Series

Introducing our Kind Leader Spotlight Series! Every Friday we will be showcasing leaders who demonstrate the positive change we hope to create in the world.

The Significance of Participation

I realized that you do not have to be in-person to make connections, have conversations, or just be there for someone. You just need to be present, engaged, and kind to all. This was the concept that the Riley’s Way Youth Leadership Retreat significantly exposed and displayed among all.

The Beginning of a Friendship at Riley’s Way

Because of Riley’s Way, we have both gained a friend for life. Riley’s Way has expanded our networks and gave us an opportunity to make connections we never thought we could.

Riley’s Way Virtual Youth Leadership Retreat 2020

Around the world, we are watching as teens push movements forward like climate-change and racial equity. The Riley's Way Youth Leadership Retreat is a shared space for young women who are change-makers in their communities to come together, network, and grow their leadership skills.

The Importance of Utilizing Your Entrepreneurial Mindset for Positive Change

While enduring a pandemic and our generation’s civil rights movement, I, along with many other young women, have a countless number of ideas to aid in the fight for more diverse, equitable, and inclusive spaces for all. At times, we creative leaders may doubt ourselves and our capabilities. To combat this self-conscious feeling, Ms. Grasso reminded us of the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset.

Reflections on the 13th Film

"...I come out of watching “13th” feeling hopeful, not hopeless. This discussion is happening at my dinner table with my teenage kids on a regular basis. It is happening across the country, and not just on college campuses. It is happening at Riley’s Way because the teens we work with said it is an absolute necessity."

Remembering Riley and Looking Forward

As we move into our 7th year at Riley's Way Foundation, we are reminded that Riley's spirit of kindness and friendship is at the heart of everything we do. Riley Hannah Sandler continues to inspire us and our work each and every day. We are filled with hope for what lies ahead as our mission of kindness and empathy is more important than ever. Thank you all for being part of it!

The Beginnings of the Riley’s Way Alumnae Network

Riley’s Way has always been an active part of my own community, centering the voices of young leaders like myself to enact change, and so heading off to college without Riley’s Way was impossible to imagine. I hope to continue the lasting connections and projects I’ve been able to form because of my experiences with Riley’s Way.

#BeKind21 – Riley’s Way Kindness Calendar

Riley's Way is excited to be joining Born This Way Foundation and over 150 other organizations in committing to kindness as a verb. Because leading today for a kinder tomorrow means making it an intentional act. Stay tuned, our full kindness calendar will be released on Sept 1st!

Interning at Riley’s Way

As I have grown into the person I am today, I have taken on new leadership roles at Riley’s Way, shaping the programs I was a part of. I have cultivated my own definition of kindness. I believe kindness is radical.

Kindness in Action: How to Activate Compassion in Family Routines

Jocelyn Greene on childsplayinaction.com

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Launches Third Annual “#BeKind21″ Campaign Encouraging Kindness And Compassion

Born This Way Foundation

Jayla’s School Closets: This Teen Gives Back and Wins Riley’s Way Call for Kindness National Competition as She Makes a Difference

Renee J. Turner on citylifestyle.com

Summer Reading

Happy Summer! We hope you add Riley's Way to your summer reading by following us on social media and taking a few minutes to read about what we have been working on below. Hear from some Riley's Way Call for Kindness winners and get teen recommendations for summer reading and viewing.

The intersection between self care and my GirlUp Leadership Summit experience

The GirlUp experience reminded me that so many beautiful and intelligent girls from all over the world have the same dreams and passions as I do! We may not have all been able to physically see each other in person, but an energy of unification, empowerment, and kindness radiated through my computer screen. 

Ian Sandler discusses the future of leadership, and it’s about to get international

Victoria Taylor on linkedin.com

The Kindness of Teenagers Creating Positive Changes in Their Communities

Riley's Way featured on NY1

NYC Teens Get Creative To Give Back And Connect During Coronavirus Shutdown

Nina Kapur on cbs.com

Nya Marshall ’21 Recognized for Her Work With Riley’s Way

Nya Marshall on horacemann.org

My (Virtual) Buddy Reading Experience

The buddy reading program started by Riley’s Way has changed my view of self-isolation.

Congratulations to our graduating seniors!

At Riley's Way, the past months have been about listening, reflection, action and celebration. We continue to support our community and elevate student voices, and even kicked the month off by ringing the NASDAQ closing bell with teens from our different programs. We supported missed milestone celebrations for schools across the country and our Councils hosted an open and honest conversation about mass incarceration and racism.

Conversations in Solidarity

In this time, we must reckon with the realities of injustice and systemic discrimination against black people in this country. We must face these realities and dedicate ourselves to antiracism and solidarity.

Kids Make Birthday Dreams Come True

David Gogokhia on voanews.com

Riley’s Way Foundation Rings the Closing Bell

Riley's Way on nasdaq.com

Riley’s Way Co-Founder Ian Sandler on how the foundation is helping the next generation of leaders

Ian Sandler on yahoofinance.com

Reese Potash interviewing Sonika, founder of the Birthday Giving Program

My name is Reese Potash, I’m from New York, and I’m 12 years old. I grew up in an empathic family, who loves helping others, and I’m so excited to be a part of this amazing foundation this year, and in the years to come.

In Solidarity and Kindness

Today, and every day, we stand against racism. We stand with our Black students, teachers, and colleagues, and communities. And today, we know many in our community are hurting. We are paying attention and committing to do more. We are here for you and are working to create spaces to listen and support our students, faculty and larger community.