July: Supporting the Born This Way Foundation for Social Wellness Month

At Bam & Stitch, our mission goes beyond creating comfortable and charming products for your little ones. We deeply believe in supporting meaningful causes, uplifting our communities, and shining a spotlight on organizations working to make the world kinder, braver, and brighter. This month, we're thrilled to highlight a particularly inspiring nonprofit making waves worldwide, the Born This Way Foundation.

Founded in 2012 by pop icon Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation was created to support the wellness of young people and empower them to build a kinder and braver world. Inspired by Lady Gaga’s own experiences and passion for mental health advocacy, the foundation has grown into a global movement aimed at encouraging acceptance, kindness, and compassion among youth everywhere.

Born This Way Foundation is unique not only in its approach but also in its understanding of the connection between kindness, mental wellness, and empowerment. They believe, and evidence shows, that when young people have the right support and resources, they’re empowered to make meaningful changes not only in their own lives but also within their communities.

One of the foundation’s core missions is to foster a culture where kindness is not just encouraged but also celebrated and practiced daily. Through a variety of impactful campaigns, events, and research, Born This Way Foundation helps young people realize their innate power to make the world a kinder place.

For example, their “Be Kind 21” campaign has inspired millions to practice intentional acts of kindness for 21 days straight. By encouraging participants to commit to acts like complimenting a friend, writing an uplifting note, or volunteering time to a local community group, the foundation has fostered countless connections and lifted spirits in impactful ways.

Another major pillar of Born This Way Foundation’s work is mental wellness, especially among youth who often face intense pressures and stresses. The foundation actively engages with young people to ensure they have access to mental health resources, support systems, and stigma-free conversations.

The foundation’s “#PleaseStayPledge” campaign, for instance, works to destigmatize conversations around mental health. By encouraging honest, supportive dialogues about mental struggles, this initiative gives youth permission to ask for help and reminds them they’re not alone in their experiences.

Recognizing the power of storytelling, the foundation also highlights personal narratives of young individuals who’ve navigated challenges and found strength in their vulnerabilities. These stories, available through their online platforms, offer powerful messages of hope, empathy, and resilience, making young people around the world feel seen and understood.

A key strength of Born This Way Foundation is its youth-driven approach. Rather than simply providing resources, they actively listen to the perspectives and voices of young people, including them directly in initiatives and campaigns. Their Advisory Board, composed of diverse youth leaders, ensures that every campaign and resource resonates authentically with younger generations. This collaborative approach has allowed the foundation to remain relevant and deeply impactful.

The Born This Way Foundation doesn’t just inspire; they also inform. The foundation partners with prominent academic institutions like Harvard University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to research the factors influencing youth mental health, kindness, and community engagement. These studies provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by today’s youth, guiding future initiatives, programs, and policies aimed at fostering healthier, kinder communities globally.

So how can we all help? There are many meaningful ways to get involved with Born This Way Foundation:

• Participate in Campaigns: From joining the #BeKind21 challenge to pledging your support with #PleaseStay, engaging with these campaigns actively spreads kindness and mental wellness awareness.

• Donate & Support: Contributions of any size directly fund initiatives, resources, and programs aimed at uplifting youth and fostering kindness worldwide.

• Share Your Story: If kindness or mental health advocacy has impacted your life, sharing your story through the foundation’s platform can inspire countless others.

• Spread the Word: Following, sharing, and amplifying the foundation’s messages across social media helps their resources and initiatives reach wider audiences, directly benefiting more youth globally.

As parents, caregivers, and community members, the principles of kindness, empathy, and resilience resonate deeply with us. Instilling these values early in our children is at the heart of Bam & Stitch’s philosophy, and it aligns perfectly with Born This Way Foundation’s mission. By practicing kindness in everyday moments, from bedtime rituals and playdates to daily conversations, we can nurture generations who naturally embrace compassion and understanding.

We’re honored to spotlight an organization as impactful as Born This Way Foundation . Their tireless advocacy for youth mental health, kindness, and empowerment echoes what we believe in most at Bam & Stitch: nurturing happy, healthy futures.

Together, we can create spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to be themselves. Whether through donations, participation, or simply by practicing kindness at home, every act matters.

At Bam & Stitch, we’re proud to support and highlight organizations dedicated to creating positive change. We invite our community to join us in championing Born This Way Foundation and the extraordinary work they do every day.

Let’s commit together to building a kinder, braver, and more compassionate world, one act of kindness at a time!