August brought Kindness Camp to some children living in our housing programs. Each day of the four-day camp was focused on building kindness in a different way: kindness to others, animals, self, and the earth.
Participants learned through a variety of activities like games, songs, stories, and teamwork. Having multiple stations to move through kept the kids interested and focused. Children of all ages attended, from toddlers learning to use gentle hands to middle-schoolers practicing and modeling kindness for younger kids. Xavier, who is six years old, was disappointed when camp was over and his mom came to pick him up, a true indication of how much fun he had!
Xavier introduced his favorite stuffed kitty to a friend. “He might look lazy,” said Xavier, “but he is just resting. He is always hungry!” Later in the day, some children went to the outdoor play area on the second floor of their building to check on the garden they planted this past spring. Everyone was excited to see the small strawberries growing, and the flowers that will soon become pumpkins. Though summer is ending, the promise of Halloween candy brought smiles to little faces.
Even though everyone learned something during Kindness Camp, staff were proud to share that children living in our affordable housing programs already seem to focus on being gentle and kind to their peers—which helps build community in the program and among parents. Being friends with your neighbors makes everyone feel safer and happier in their building. When Xavier starts first grade in September, he isn’t worried about leaving his stuffed kitty at home. He already knows he’s got friends to make the transition easier, from right here at Compass Housing Alliance.