A Kinder, Gentler Maplewood

Maplewood resident Barbara League Velazquez has a smooth and comforting voice.

She also exudes calm, intelligence and warmth. She's a clinical psychologist who practiced for years in Newark before moving her office to Millburn Avenue in Maplewood, where she also runs the Taskforce for Humanity Coalition, a nonprofit that raises humanitarian consciousness.

Now, Velazquez is launching the Maplewood Kindness Campaign.

The campaign, the brainchild of Velazquez through the Taskforce, is designed to help residents make "kindness a way of life." Maplewoodians will be urged to "engage in acts of kindness on an ongoing basis."

The kickoff for the campaign will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Main Branch of the Maplewood Memorial Library between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. "We are inviting clergy, and community, business and government leaders to introduce this landmark campaign. Your presence can help make kindness a way of life in Maplewood," said Velazquez in a release.

Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca will be on hand, as will other community leaders. The meeting will include brainstorming on how to make the community kinder, practical information on the clinical aspects and effects of kindness and some hands-on tools for being kinder — including a simple "kindness" bracelet to serve as a constant, physical reminder to "be kind."

Velazquez said that the idea to launch the campaign did not come from a feeling that Maplewood was lacking in kindness. In fact, the opposite is true.

"Maplewood is such a progressive community," said Velazquez, as she cited the town's forward thinking reputation on race relations and environmental issues. She felt that Maplewood was the best place to launch a campaign that she ultimately hopes to take statewide and nationwide.

Velazquez said that "there is a lot of research" on the benefits of kindness on health, including positive impacts in treating depression. "If doing something out of kindness isn't enough, it's good for your health!"

An interesting angle in the campaign is the inclusion of the business community — along with the faith-based community and civic leaders. Business owners are encouraged to participate in the launch event and can receive a "Kind Merchant" sticker to place in their business to show support. (A $25 donation via PayPal is optional but not mandatory.)

"We have a lot of small businesses," said Velazquez, that are on the forefront of good customer service. "People don't want a machine. They want a person." Velazquez noted that a lot of local business owners are not just "in it just to make money." Rather, serving the community is their "purpose in life."

For more information or to purchase a "Kind Merchant" sticker, visit www.maplewoodiskind.org/Comitted-to-kindness.html. Share this event on Facebook and Twitter. Also visit the Taskforce for Humanity Coalition at www.taskforceforhumanity.org.