EMPATHY IN ACTION

Joan Bartl, CEO of Payment Management and Lynne explore giving back to the community by observing problems and needs and acting on them. Joan is co-founder and Co-Director of Banking On New Jersey and currently serves on Governor Murphy’sPublic Bank Implementation Board to bring public banking to New Jersey.

NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka explores with Lynne the intersection of empathy with small businesses in N.J. Local businesses need our support and themselves give back to communities. Winner of the 15th Annual Kidsbridge Humanitarian Award with the Siekerka family, Michele shares how to inculcate empathic action and community service for families at younger ages.

Principal Nicole Dickens-Simon creates a safe, nurturing space for more than 300 elementary students to learn and grow. Upon that foundation of empathy, she creates a caring culture of belonging for parents, caregivers, teachers, all staff and community stakeholders. 15th Annual Kidsbridge Humanitarian Award winner.

Lynne interviews Blair Miller, the founder and director of the Neighbors Kindness Project. Her Covid-relief organization helps deliver food packages to those in need. She inspires others - young and old, to donate their time and empathy.

Host Lynne Azarchi, Director of Kidsbridge Youth Center, invites youth educator Bruce Boyd to share his strategies and motivation to help urban youth. Bruce started his business B.O.Y.D to educate tweens and teens to aspire, overcome challenges, to hope and be loved. He is empowered to make a difference by coaching youth and inspires us all, sharing his life experience.

Lynne interviews Blair Miller, the founder and director of the Neighbors Kindness Project. Her Covid-relief organization helps deliver food packages to those in need. She inspires others - young and old, to donate their time and empathy.

Lynne's guest this week is a woman who has been giving back empathetically for decades. Joyce Trotman Jordan is a Board member of Trenton's Mill Hill Child Family Development Center and of Not In Our Town- Princeton, the latter focusing on both social and racial justice. Joyce and Lynne discuss how the lens of empathy can lead to making a difference in families’ lives and pierce the veil of ‘walking in others’ shoes’ for the ultimate goal of establishing new relationships that foster kindness and respect. Because kids are watching us closely, they conclude that adults have the opportunity to be  better and more proactive role models.

Lynne interviews Professor Nadia Ansary, psychology professor at Rider University. Motivated by bias and discrimination against Muslim youth, Professor Ansary ‘gives back’ by conducting original primary research to indicate the plight of Muslim youth in this country. Professor Ansary shares this research and explores both problems and solutions with Lynne in two twenty - five minute sessions—the first PROBLEMS, the second SOLUTIONS.

Lynne interviews Professor Nadia Ansary, psychology professor at Rider University. Motivated by bias and discrimination against Muslim youth, Professor Ansary ‘gives back’ by conducting original primary research to indicate the plight of Muslim youth in this country. Professor Ansary shares this research and explores both problems and solutions with Lynne in two twenty - five minute sessions—the first PROBLEMS, the second SOLUTIONS.

The last two years have been especially rough for both kids and adults. Empathy to the rescue! Empathy is critically important, can be taught by parents/teachers and is easy and fun. Why empathy?  Kids who can “read” feelings are emotionally adjusted, better liked, and more successful.  Join Lynne Azarchi, Executive Director of Kidsbridge Tolerance Center to learn more about one of the greatest foundations and skills that you can bestow upon your child or student.

Host Lynne Azarchi, Director of Kidsbridge Tolerance Center, invites musician Jim Gaven to share his motivation to take empathic action for others. Jim shares his love of music with persons with disabilities and dementia and comes to the rescue providing emotional support, caring , kindness and FUN. He is empowered to take action to help others and inspires us all.

Eman is Empathy in action. From helping Afghan refugees to volunteering to public service, nothing stops her---not even raising 6 children and some goats on the side. Most recently, Eman was elected to the Cranbury Committee – a first for Cranbury as Eman is a Muslim woman. She is devoted to interfaith organizations including Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom.  Lynne and Eman discuss giving back to community in a variety of ways and how to inspire youth to community service.

Paula is now the principal of Joyce Kilmer School in Trenton.  Paula’s work in education IS community work. For more than 20 plus years, she had worked tirelessly to champion for the rights to access for hundreds of children. Bethea says: students and families at our school know that we are indeed a village and it takes all of us to sustain change and help our students to aspire.” Lynne and Paula discuss creating a ‘village of caring’ for others through the lens of empathy.

Cecilia X. Birge is a community activist, a social justice warrior as well as a champion of racial literacy in the high school. She exemplifies ‘Empathy in Action’.  She is Asst. Principal for Princeton High School.  As the pandemic became more widespread, so did hate crimes against Asians.   Cecilia stepped up and built a coalition with more than twenty community groups.  Over three thousand people attended the #StopAsianHate rally on March 27, 2021.  Lynne and Cecilia explore the intersections of empathy for reducing hate and bias in our community and educating our students and families toward kindness and respect.