13-year old sticks up for younger brother and helps others with bullies
When Matthew Kaplan was 13 and in middle school in Arizona, he noticed that his younger brother, Josh, had become quieter and spent more time alone. After some questioning, he discovered that Josh was being bullied at school by kids he thought were his friends.
Matthew Kaplan, Founder of Be ONE Project
Matthew spoke with a teacher about it and then asked the administration to let him conduct a one-day anti-bullying session. They agreed and Matthew designed a curriculum for a day. He presented it to fifty preteens including Josh. After learning about their similarities, the bullies apologized to Josh.
Word got around and Matthew was invited to present his program to other schools. Renamed the Be One Project, he has traveled to several states and spoken to hundreds of students. Matthew is now 18 and heading off to college. His program has grown in popularity and earned enough funding to continue in his absence.
We congratulate Matthew for his dedication to a great cause. Check out the Be One Project if you’d like a presentation at your school or would like to support it in other ways.
