This past Friday, HIW had the honor of hosting our first assembly of the year at Redstone Middle School, setting the tone for another year of character development, leadership, and anti-bullying work with students. The energy in the room reminded us exactly why this work matters, kids leaning in, engaging, and being reminded that there truly is a hero in every kid. We were also grateful to have members of the Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs State Advisory Group (OJA SAG) in attendance, witnessing firsthand the impact of prevention-focused, youth-centered programming. It was especially meaningful to see SAG Chair, Les Thomas in his element championing youth, community, and collaboration. During the assembly, HIW was honored to receive a BIG grant check from the SAG, that was awarded this past fall, affirming the importance of early intervention, character development, and school-based prevention efforts across Oklahoma. We are deeply grateful for the partnership, the trust, and the shared commitment to supporting young people. Moments like this remind us that when schools, nonprofits, and state leaders come together, real impact happens. Here’s to a strong start to 2026 and the meaningful work ahead.

With a lot of respect, I’d like to share something I posted today in my own community. I feel this space is also a good place for us to talk about this topic, and I hope it can be helpful. Bullying of neurodivergent people (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, among other conditions) is very common. Studies estimate that around 77–84% of autistic children experience bullying at some point, which makes it a very high risk factor. Neurodivergent individuals have a significantly higher risk of bullying, school harassment and victimisation, both in educational and workplace settings. They are often targeted with mockery, verbal harassment or social exclusion because of differences in communication, behaviour or sensory needs, which has a serious impact on their emotional development and sense of safety. This bullying often takes the form of verbal and physical harassment, isolation and exclusion, frequently based on differences in communication and sensory processing. The impact can be severe, including low self‑esteem, depression and anxiety. ______________________________________________ Bullying and neurodiversity: it’s not “just jokes”, it’s real harm 🧱​ When we talk about bullying, many people picture a couple of mean kids in the playground or an annoying colleague at work. For neurodivergent people, it’s almost never just that. Bullying shows up in classrooms, corridors, group chats, universities, offices, “informal” meetings and comments that hide behind the excuse of humour. And its impact is not just “I felt bad for a while”: it touches safety, health, and how a person sees themselves in the long term. Why are neurodivergent people such an easy target? It’s not because they are “weaker”. It’s because the context paints a target on their back. Some patterns that often show up: - Difference is visible. Communication style, eye contact, stimming, intense interests, hypersensitivity to noise or touch… all of that gets read as “weird”, “too much”, “not normal”. - Social rules are opaque and shifting. Many neurodivergent people don’t easily read unspoken rules, irony, or the mood changes of a group. Others read too much and over‑analyse every cue. In both cases, they become exposed in groups that value sameness. - Power goes unquestioned. When teachers, managers or families don’t understand neurodivergence, they may side with the aggressor (“you’re too sensitive”, “it wasn’t that bad”) or even be the ones who humiliate, expose or ridicule. - The environment is already hostile. Noise, lights, constant changes, lack of predictability. A nervous system that is already at its limit has very little margin to tolerate attacks, and very little energy to advocate for itself.

By @Jason Strickland The Art of Poetry Community Not every hero wears a cape or crown, Some lift others up when the world tears them down. Some listen closely, some stand tall, Some answer softly when others call. In Heroes in Waiting, hearts find a place, Where kindness is taught and courage has a face. Where kids are reminded they matter, belong, That being yourself is never wrong. Twelve short lessons, simple and true, Tools for the mind and the heart to renew. Against bullying, shame, and silent pain, This is where hope learns how to remain. It’s not about fixing it’s learning to see, The power of empathy, community. Because every child, every voice, every story, Deserves safety, strength, and their own quiet glory. So if you believe in a world more kind, Where we care for hearts as much as minds Come stand with us, be part of the way, The hero you’re waiting for might already be on display.

I’m blessed to be a part of these energizing assemblies, planting kindness seeds in young minds! These types of rallies are the perfect kickoff point to get administrators, counselors, teachers, and student pumped about spreading joy to one another and lightning the load that we all carry… Have you had your kickoff yet?

You'll never forget an introduction like that... @Stan Steffen