Bullying has become a pervasive and unwelcome reality among youth today, and not just in schools but in the online world as well. The  2013 CDC Teen Risk Behavior Surveillance report indicates that 19.6 percent of 9^th through 12^th grade students in the United States were bullied on school property and 8 percent had attempted suicide one or more times in the past twelve months. In Florida, the number is close to the national average. Almost 15.7 percent of 9th through 12th grade students reported being bullied on school property and 7.7 percent reported attempting suicide in the past twelve months. And with youth having free access to online means, electronic bullying has become another evil to contend with. Nationally, 14.8 percent of 9th through 12th graders reported being electronically bullied via email, chat rooms, instant messaging, websites or texting in the past twelve months.

After walking through struggles with suicide and bullying with those close to him and becoming aware of this report, Roy Moore was motivated to take action and founded Stand Strong USA, an organization whose goal is to save and transform lives among the next generation by addressing the challenges of bullying and suicide.

“I observed and felt the pain of bullying and suicide among family and friends and was moved to action after reading the CDC’s report,” said Moore, Stand Strong USA’s founder and president.

 

A powerful message of hope

Formerly a successful entrepreneur, having established, built, bought, and sold several businesses over a 25 year career, Moore, moved by God’s love, knew there was something more.  After being introduced to a very special new friend, well-known evangelist Nick Vujicic, author of Stand Strong: You Can Overcome Bullying (and Other Stuff That Keeps You Down), the two started to put together a plan to get the anti-bullying message out into the schools in Florida. Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs, preaches around the world about his victory over the struggle because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Together with Nick, Stand Strong USA’s mission and goal is to go out, saving and transforming lives, bringing the anti-bullying message to students at their schools.

“We care deeply about all kids. If you saw a child in need in the street, you would go and help that child without regard to religion and share the message of love. This is the message that Nick is sharing,” said Stan Smith, spokesperson for Stand Strong USA.

And Stand Strong USA has already begun making plans to get the anti-bullying message out. From November 3^rd through 6th of this year, Nick Vujicic is scheduled to speak at several schools across Florida to deliver his powerful message against bullying. This message will then be simulcast across the state of Florida to other students whose schools are participating in the program.

“Nick will engage the audience and share his life experience which includes attempting suicide at age ten and the bullying he endured as a child,” said Smith. “Seeing Nick is in and of itself a moving experience.”

Nick’s role is to be a catalyst, and through Stand Strong USA’s sponsorship, start the conversation about bullying and suicide.

Reaching the bully, bystander and child

“We are looking to reach the bully, the bystander and the child that is in a dark place. For the bully to stop bullying, for the bystander to stand up and speak up and for the hurting child to get help,” said Moore.

The simulcast of Nick’s anti-bullying message also provides an open messaging service that the students can download and use during the program. Stand Strong USA reports that this message service was hugely successful in the Indiana school system where it has been previously used.

“Nick answered 35,000 texts using this chat service in Indiana with the students. It was just incredible,” said Moore, “and there were ten 911 interventions over the chat service during this incredible program. Many lives were saved.”

This powerful message comes through when Nick poses this thought to the students: “There are people here who are hurting out there. Do you really want to push them over the edge?” This is the aim of Stand Strong USA, starting the conversation, moving people to action and getting help for those who so desperately need it.

For more information visit www.standstrongflorida.com or email Stan Smith at [email protected].

Melissa Zelniker-Presser is an attorney and freelance writer who is following her God-sized dream of writing full time for God’s glory. Melissa currently runs a blog workforthecausenottheapplause.com where she shares her journey as a Jewish believer in Christ. She can be contacted at [email protected].