SevenDays will bring Kansas City teenagers together for music, games and community service at its free Thrive with Kindness Teen Festival on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The event, organized by SevenDays' Kindness Youth Leadership Team (KYLT), will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St., in Mission, Kansas. The festival will feature a live DJ, dodgeball tournament, taco truck, prizes and activities designed to bring teens together from across the Kansas City metropolitan area.
One of the evening's main attractions will be the Kindness Marketplace, where participants can earn “Kindness Tokens” by completing challenges, participating in activities and performing acts of kindness. The tokens can then be used to shop at booths hosted by local organizations and businesses.
The festival also coincides with Veterans Day, giving attendees an opportunity to honor local veterans by writing personal notes thanking them for their military service. The event takes place two days before World Kindness Day on Friday, Nov. 13.
Throughout the evening, teens will have opportunities to meet new friends, learn about community resources and participate in activities that encourage kindness and cooperation.
"We're thrilled to bring Kansas City teens together to celebrate kindness in such a fun and meaningful way," said Kelly Murphy of SevenDays. "Our goal is to inspire them to see that kindness is powerful—and that it starts with each of us."
SevenDays was founded in response to the April 13, 2014, antisemitic shootings at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Village Shalom in Overland Park. A white supremacist murdered Dr. William Corporon, his 14-year-old grandson Reat Underwood and Terri LaManno in the attacks. Although none of the victims was Jewish, the gunman had deliberately targeted Jewish institutions.
The organization works year-round to combat hate by promoting kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. Through its youth leadership program and other community initiatives, SevenDays encourages people to build connections and take action against hatred.
The Thrive with Kindness Teen Festival is free and open to teenagers throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. More information is available at SevenDays.org.