GNY 28. Be Kind

Spreading Kindness and Mental Health Awareness in Ithaca In this episode of Good News York, the host discusses the excitement around NFL draft day and welcomes special guests, including longtime friend and bandmate Daryl Harrington from Be Kind Ithaca, as well as Sandra Sorenson from NAMI Finger Lakes, and Samantha Shoemaker from Free Hugs Ithaca. The conversation delves into Daryl's journey of creating Be Kind Ithaca, a grassroots initiative that began with making wooden heart signs during the pandemic and has since grown into a nonprofit organization promoting kindness and mental wellness. Sandra shares her personal story of coping with her husband's bipolar disorder and subsequent suicide, emphasizing the support she found through NAMI's family-to-family classes. Samantha talks about the impact and emotional rewards of the Free Hugs Ithaca initiative. They all highlight the importance of mental health support, community connections, and upcoming events like the NAMI walk in May. The episode concludes with a fun anecdote about attending a recent Metallica concert and a sneak peek of the host's Buffalo Bills-themed music video. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:30 Special Guests Introduction 01:52 The Origin of 'Be Kind' 03:00 Spreading Kindness During the Pandemic 04:46 Be Kind's Growth and Impact 10:32 Free Hugs Ithaca Collaboration 20:51 Starting a New Perspective 21:37 Mental Health Advocacy and Personal Struggles 22:47 Introduction to NAMI Finger Lakes 23:10 Personal Journey with NAMI 25:50 Becoming Executive Director of NAMI Finger Lakes 27:31 Collaborations and Community Events 32:01 Support for Caregivers and Mental Health Awareness 36:35 The Sophie Fund and Community Impact 42:41 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events