After losing her sister in a tragic car accident, Philadelphia-area ninth-grade English teacher Kristina Ulmer transformed her grief into a lesson in compassion by launching the “$20 Kindness Challenge.” Using money her sister had kept in her wallet, Ulmer gives each student $20 and asks them to spend it on an act of kindness of their choosing. Students have used the funds to help classmates, support charities, and spread generosity in creative ways. Then, they reflect on the experience through videos and writing. The project has not only shaped students’ understanding of empathy and community, but also helped Ulmer heal, offering her hope as she watches her students discover the power of kindness. Click the link below to read about this amazing project.
Stories of Joy 