THE KINDNESS PROJECT
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Supported by Matt Allen Real Estate LLC.
Four years ago, our family started Kindness Matters at Palm Lake Elementary with a simple belief: kindness matters, and when we intentionally create opportunities for children to practice it, it can change an entire school community.
What began as an idea grew into something truly special.
As our son Ashton transitions from elementary school into middle school, the need for kindness doesn't disappear. In fact, the social challenges can become even greater. Students arrive from different feeder schools, enter new social circles and begin navigating a whole new environment. Some will walk through the doors surrounded by friends. Others may be trying to figure out where they fit.
That is why Kindness Matters is evolving into The Kindness Project
Because the greatest lesson may not be teaching a child to simply be kind. It may be teaching them to look around, notice someone else, and do something about it.
This mission is deeply personal to our family. We started this journey because of Ashton—our reminder of how precious life is, how much one person can impact another, and how important it is to create a world where every child feels valued and supported. What began because of Ashton has become something we hope will continue far beyond him.
We will continue to build it for Ashton, with Ashton, and because of Ashton.
We want this project to grow with him, taking the lessons and momentum from Palm Lake into middle school, into our neighborhoods, and ultimately throughout our community.
Because kindness shouldn't be a program that ends when a school year ends. It should be a culture we continue to build. And we believe the best way to change a community is to start by teaching our kids how to care for one another.
Our next chapter is more about connection, belonging, leadership and making room for one another.
We envision bringing The Kindness Project into Southwest Middle School and throughout our community through innovative, student-led programs such as peer mentoring, Kindness Leaders, new-student welcome programs, Make Room initiatives, community service projects, kindness challenges and partnerships with local organizations.
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Think Kind.Act Kind.Make Room.
REAL ESTATE. COMMUNITY. KINDNESS.
Matt Allen Real Estate LLC. has proudly served Central Florida families for more than two decades.During that time, the business has always been about more than transactions.Homes are part of communities.Communities are built around families.And strong communities depend on people being willing to give back.That philosophy is at the heart of The Kindness Project.
By using community events to bring people together, we are able to raise money, build local partnerships, and create opportunities to support programs that may not always be possible through traditional school funding.Our goal is simple: use the strength of our community to create something positive for our students.
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HOW THE KINDNESS PROJECT WORKS
Together with Palm Lake students, families and staff, we created the Kindness Club, classroom kindness challenges, kindness rocks and coins and recognition programs that encouraged students to notice kindness and, more importantly, to put it into action.
We created opportunities for students to recognize classmates, celebrate acts of kindness, include others and learn that even the smallest gesture can make someone feel seen and valued.
We watched students embrace the idea that kindness isn't just something adults teach. It's something kids can lead. And that's what makes us so passionate about keeping the momentum going.
The more our community gets involved, the more opportunities we have to give back.
