Starting over is never easy, especially for children arriving as refugees. New schools, new languages, new routines… it can all feel overwhelming. But a single act of kindness can change the experience, turning fear into belonging.
That is the heart behind Giselle Learning Academy’s newest initiative, and why we are so honored to name them as one of our 2025 Kindness Grant recipients.
With support from a $1,000 Kindness Grant, the Academy assembled and distributed Welcome Kindness Kits during Parent Orientation at the start of the school year. Each kit included free uniforms, budgeting kits for parents, books and crayons, hygiene kits, non-perishable snacks, toys, and arts and crafts supplies. Simple but powerful reminders that every child is seen, supported, and belongs.
Located in Clarkston, GA often called one of the most diverse cities in America, Giselle Learning Academy is leading with compassion in a place where cultures, languages, and stories meet every day. Their project is a beautiful example of our Building Thriving Communities pillar in action: addressing real needs with dignity, while also planting the seeds of empathy in the next generation.
Since distributing the kits, the Academy has continued creating opportunities for connection, like their recent Grandparents’ Day Breakfast. Events like these show that kindness is not a one-time initiative but a value woven into daily life at Giselle.
Our jury was especially moved by the timeliness of this project. In a moment when refugee families across the country face unkindness and division, Giselle Learning Academy is carving out a different path. One rooted in welcome, care, and human connection. It is a reminder that kindness can be both practical and transformative.
We are proud to support Alexandra Cesar and her team at Giselle Learning Academy, and we cannot wait to see how this initiative continues to grow. Because when children experience kindness firsthand, it does more than meet a need. It sparks hope. It teaches empathy. And it creates ripples that reach far beyond the classroom.
➡️ Learn more about Giselle Learning Academy at gisellelearningacademy.com
Photo Courtesy of Giselle Learning Academy