CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Giving Grace is proud to introduce the Kindness Objective (TKO) a new nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting caring and thoughtfulness in the community.
Melissa Marquais, president and founder of The Kindness Objective said the organization began as an anti-bullying group but soon took a little bit of a turn after realizing many anti-bullying organizations focus on how they can prevent bullying after the fact. She decided her organization would address the root cause of bullying.
“Nobody was really focusing on the forefront which is teaching empathy, compassion, and kindness, to kids and people so that they don’t become bullies in the first place,” Marquais said. “The Kindness Objective is really focused on helping people learn those things through different means.”
Marquais described bullying as repeated behavior that is intentionally meant to harm, disgrace or shame someone. Not everything in life is the definition of bullying. Sometimes, people are just cruel, which is still not okay, but bullying is on a different level and is targeted and intentional.
When asked about the seriousness of bullying, Marquais said she has learned that the problem is far worse than she ever originally anticipated when she started TKO.
“There is probably not a day that goes by that I don’t hear from a parent that about their kid having gotten beaten to the point they had to go to the hospital, or they attempted suicide,” Marquais said.
Just before Christmas, The Kindness Objective hosted a kick-off event at the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Clarksville. There was Christmas music, food and fun as children walked through the halls singing Christmas carols to the residents.
When it comes to events, the organization wants to get people into an environment where they are able to socialize with other people on a level that they are not used to. They want to incorporate all types of people to focus on inclusion, acceptance and loving each other for their differences.
As far as future plans for TKO, Marquais said they want to encourage parents to let their kids be a part of the organization. “We can go to an animal shelter, a park, or to a nursing home to help out,” she said. “We really want to give children an opportunity to get out and feel the joy of being able to give to other people.”
To find out more about The Kindness Objective, to volunteer, or to donate visit thekindnessobjective.org, find them on Facebook, or call 615-720-4129.