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PHILANTHROPY FOCUS

Magic Mirror and Cynthia Germanotta, Andra Liemandt
co-founder of the Born This Way Foundation
with daughter Stefani, aka Lady Gaga
Enoughie Buddy at a TKC event

I Am Enough

The Kindness Campaign Arms
Kids with Self-Acceptance, Empathy

“I know what it’s like to feel different, but being different
isn’t a bad thing. Every morning I look in the mirror and
remind myself I AM ENOUGH.” —Enoughie Buddy

The Kindness Campaign (TKC) aims to instill in students
as early as prekindergarten a powerful force for positive
change: intentional acts of kindness. Enoughie helps students engage with the materials and
Now present in all 82 Austin Independent School one another to build their kindness toolkits.
District elementary schools, the organization’s curriculum To further its work, the organization holds KIND-
helps children identify their emotions, develop empathy NESSPALOOZA events to bring Enoughie Buddy as well
and build their sense of self-worth, all to promote “a kinder as the Magic Mirror self-affirmation experience to even
pattern of behavior” to reduce bullying. more children and adults. These events have taken place
TKC was born out of tragedy. Upon learning that a at South by Southwest 2018, the Hill Country Galleria and
friend’s 12-year-old daughter had taken her own life in Barton Creek Square.
response to bullying, founder Andra Liemandt in 2015 TKC has even made inroads to adult education. It has
began creating a journal and a character—Enoughie Bud- partnered with Paul Mitchell Schools to roll out its Corpo-
dy—to teach her daughters about emotional awareness, rate Kindness program in the more than 100 Paul Mitchell
empathy and kindness and because she felt compelled to Schools across the U.S.
do something positive. The project gained momentum, The Kindness Campaign has received funding and PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE KINDNESS CAMPAIGN
and the organization debuted its social-emotional learning accolades from several organizations, including Lady
curriculum in five AISD elementary schools during the Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. Liemandt herself was
2015-2016 school year. recognized in 2018 by Austin Woman with a Woman’s Way
The lesson plans, coloring books and journals build Business Award in the Social Impact category.
on TKC’s four essential pillars of learning: self-image,
emotional awareness, empathy and community. Mascot Learn more about The Kindness Campaign at tkckindness.org.

24 WATERWAYS | Winter 2018