1POP pushes daily kindness programs beyond World Kindness Day

One Planet – One People is using World Kindness Day to promote year-round kindness programs for schools, workplaces and communities. The nonprofit says its Karma Club and HEART initiatives are designed to reduce loneliness, bullying and division while building civility, connection and measurable wellness gains.

Why it matters: - One Planet – One People says loneliness, bullying and division are harming students and adults across the U.S. and beyond. - The nonprofit is pitching daily kindness and civility programs as a prevention tool, not just a feel-good campaign tied to one observance. - The effort is aimed at schools, workplaces, nonprofits, governments and families, with the goal of improving mental health, relationships and community stability.

What happened: - One Planet – One People marked World Kindness Day on Nov. 12, 2026, by urging people to make kindness a daily practice instead of a once-a-year observance. - Founder Lyle Benjamin said the Karma Club and Planned Acts of Kindness can help people achieve “Respect and Quality of Life.” - The nonprofit called on individuals, influencers, parents, teachers, employees and public officials to bring the Karma Club and HEART programs into schools, companies, organizations and government.

The details: - The release cites CDC data showing 39.7% of U.S. high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. - The same CDC survey found the share of students bullied at school rose from 15% to 19% between 2021 and 2023. - UNESCO research cited in the release says almost one in three students worldwide is bullied in a given month, and frequently bullied students are twice as likely to feel lonely, lose sleep and contemplate suicide. - A 2023 U.S. Surgeon General advisory reported that about half of American adults experience loneliness and estimated loneliness-related stress absenteeism costs employers $154 billion a year. - A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found about eight in ten U.S. adults believe political debate has become less respectful and fact-based. - The World Kindness Day observance was established in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement after a conference in Tokyo. - The CDC says young people who feel connected at school are less likely to experience poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, substance use and violence. - The release says schools can build that connection through relationship-building programs. - Planned Acts of Kindness are short daily activities delivered to phones, computers and other devices, and announced in classrooms and workspaces. - The programs are designed to build respect and civility and to recognize and reward those behaviors. - Students age 4 and older are expected to complete daily Planned Acts of Kindness in school, with family and friends and in the community. - HEART stands for Humanity, Equality, Action, Respect and Teamwork. - Humanity teaches civility and kindness through Planned Acts. - Equality teaches social justice and gender and racial tolerance. - Action teaches collaborative skills and equality of life for all. - Respect teaches social justice and collaborative skills. - Teamwork teaches global issues, health and well-being. - The Karma Club is free to join and uses gamification, with four monthly activity areas: Planned Acts of Kindness, Engagement, Volunteerism and Support. - Members earn challenge and reward coins, and the motto is “The More You Do, The Greater Your Rewards.” - Members are encouraged to create short kindness videos in their own language and share them through CoolMoves.us. - One Planet – One People Clubs are built around project-based skill development tied to members’ passions. - Internships and Mentorships use three systems: Artificial Intelligence Management, Project Management (PMOROS) and the Eight Foundation Skills. - Project KOPE tracks health, happiness and wellness through a monthly assessment and detailed reports. - The release says the programs are aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 18 Global Collaborative Sustainability Requirements. - The nonprofit’s stated goal is HEART programs in 8,000 schools and more than 3.9 million student members by 2028. - The Karma Club’s first goal is a movement in 195+ countries with hundreds of millions of members by 2028. - The second goal is coordinated member action on climate change, pollution, pandemics and war. - The Karma Club is open to people regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender, age, education or socio-economic status. - The program targets five groups: students, employees, owners, retirees and the unemployed. - It also targets five types of institutions: schools, faith-based organizations, nonprofits and NGOs, governments and businesses. - Companies can adopt the Karma Club as a custom-branded loyalty, volunteer or team-building program tied to CSR and ESG goals. - Schools, organizations and companies can use custom-branded apps for outreach, engagement, inspiration, education and action. - Participants can also engage through more than 40 programs. - The nonprofit points supporters to KarmaClub.net, CoolMoves.us, OnePlanet-OnePeople.com, PlannedActs.org, CSRbenefitshub.com and BenjaminDavinciInstitute.com. - Donations are processed through Zeffy. - The Tipping Point $1 Challenge aims to raise $1 for every person on Earth, or $8 billion, by 2028.

Between the lines: - The release blends public-health concerns with a civic-engagement pitch, positioning kindness as both a moral value and a measurable social intervention. - The heavy use of gamification, rewards and digital tracking suggests the nonprofit is trying to make behavior change stick through repetition and social participation. - The organization is also framing kindness as a platform for broader goals, including climate action, anti-bullying efforts and workforce engagement.

What's next: - One Planet – One People is asking supporters to move from World Kindness Day participation to year-round adoption of its programs. - The nonprofit is encouraging parents, teachers, students, employees, influencers and public officials to bring HEART and the Karma Club to local institutions. - The group is also asking donors to support One Planet – One People and Planned Acts of Kindness through their websites. - The Tipping Point $1 Challenge will remain a fundraising push tied to the 2028 targets.

The bottom line: - One Planet – One People wants kindness treated less like a campaign and more like infrastructure for schools, workplaces and communities.