Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebekah Robeck. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Rebekah, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I have been very fortunate to have a mom and dad who have been an example of having a good work ethic. My whole life my parents have worked hard and I have seen it. My dad would come home from work late at night and yet still find time to do things that were necessary for the family. My mom worked from home throughout all of the education so I was able to watch as she worked hard. My work ethic is something that I am proud of because it it something I got from my parents.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Let’s Be Kind is a non‐profit that focuses on Creating Student Led Cultures of Unity Through Kindness on School Campuses. In 2018 [I was an 8th grader] at Costa Mesa Middle School [where I] started Let’s Be Kind Day by gifting [my] student body the first Let’s Be Kind Tees.
“At the start of my 8th grade year, I moved from living abroad in El Salvador with my family back to California. Attending middle school here was different. The culture seemed to be focused around putting each other down. I was told my hair looked weird and people would make fun of the way I spoke Spanish so I decided I wanted to do something about how people were treating me and treating each other. I came up with a kindness event called Let’s Be Kind Day, this is where I passed out t‐shirts to the entire student body of my school that said Let’s Be Kind on them. I am so proud of what it has done because in five years we have reached over 30 schools and have given t‐shirts to more than 18,500 students. The t‐shirt and this one act of kindness has changed schools, students and families. I hope to change the culture on school campuses to create a place of unity through spreading kindness!”
Without knowing other kids care, it is really easy to feel alone without anyone to talk to. By wearing a Let’s Be Kind t‐shirt you can start spreading kindness through your actions and let other kids know they always have someone to talk to.
We are currently working on our Fuel the Future campaign. At Let’s Be Kind our mission is simple: creating a student led culture of unity through kindness on school campuses. So, as you can imagine, we are regularly approached by schools across the country that want to bring Let’s Be Kind and Let’s Be Kind Days into their school to not only unify the campus, but also unite their students. The sad fact is that we lack the funding to be able to help these schools and as a result have had to create a waiting list…which is growing fast. Without more support we are unable to help these schools bring hope to their campus and help break down barriers.Fuel the Future is focused on reaching levels of donations that will help us consistently spread our message to every school that wants to bring us to their campus.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Something that I feel was most influential to my journey of creating and sustaining Let’s Be Kind was my relationships with others. Throughout this whole journey, I have had my mom to come alongside me and guide me with her knowledge.
I also feel that my love for learning helped me a lot, throughout this whole process I have learned so many things that most people wouldn’t typically have to know at such a young age. It has been a privilege to learn about how to create meaningful relationships with supporters and learn how to co-run a non-profit.
Lastly, my ability to go with the flow has been extremely helpful. In this journey, there were things I would have never expected to come out of having a non-profit. Luckily my mom and I work well together in moments where we are improvising and learning as we go.
I would tell people to be excited and ready for what comes their way! And part of this is having a team that you know and trust! Having a non-profit is an adventure and really only possible with a community of people to walk with you in it!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
As mentioned before my parents gave me a good work ethic! But I think the most impactful thing they did for me was encourage me in this journey. My dad has always been one to push me in things that I feel like I am inadequate to do. He has given me confidence in my decisions and leadership as a young woman.
My mom has taught me how to make my voice heard when I am the youngest and sometimes the only woman in the room besides her. My mom, who is my partner in all of this, has lead me and taught me how to be a leader in moments where it feels like I can’t be one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://letsbekind.org/
- Instagram: lestbekindday
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@letsbekindday
Image Credits
Steve Cowell
