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Two counselors from the Western Illinois University Counseling Center have developed "Kinder Mondays," an effort to spread a positive message across campus and encourage others to pay it forward. The counselors wrap apples in an encouraging message and hand them out on campus during their lunch hours.
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WIU Counselors Begin "Kinder Mondays" Program on Campus

December 12, 2016

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MACOMB, IL – Two counselors from the Western Illinois University Counseling Center have come up with an idea to turn the negative stigma of Mondays into a day to do things for others.

As a result, counselors Amy Buwick and Ana Diaz developed "Kinder Mondays," a way to add to the positive environment at the University and, at the same time, encourage others to "pay it forward."

"I was complaining about Mondays and I suggested that it should be kinder," said Buwick. "Later, Ana sent me a text telling me she really liked the idea of a Kinder Monday and suggested we follow through on the thought. We started Kinder Mondays on a whim; it was an idea to contribute to the University environment and to encourage others to do the same."

The program began earlier in the semester with Buwick and Diaz buying 140 apples and wrapping them in a positive note reading, "Enjoy this apple as a gift of kindness - #WIUPAYITFORWARD." The note also contains ideas to pay the gesture forward, including holding the door for the person behind you, make someone feel welcome or thanking someone who inspired you.

On their lunch hour, Buwick and Diaz passed out the apples randomly around campus.

"We wanted to make people more aware of the kindness that is already around them and we hoped they would be inspired to pay it forward," said Diaz. During times of stress, reaching out to others and becoming involved in your community can be beneficial. By paying more attention to kindness, we hope people will see, experience and act more kindly throughout the day."

University Counseling Center Director James DiTulio said he is impressed the two counselors took their personal time to develop an uplifting program on campus.

"In light of all of the negative things constantly being brought to our attention by various media outlets, these two counselors wanted to do something to counter this by encouraging good deeds and kind words in our community," DiTulio.

For more information about the University Counseling Center, visit wiu.edu/student_services/ucc/.




Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing