Founded by James A. Dickerson in honor of his beloved daughter, Spirit C. Butler, our foundation emerged from the heart-wrenching loss of a vibrant young soul to the scourge of bullying and cyberbullying. Spirit was physically bullied at school while the onlookers video recorded the horrific incidents. That video was almost instantly on the internet being shared by hundreds of people. While the experience of being attacked and beat up carries its own trauma, it was the cyberbullying that mentally and emotionally tortured Spirit all Summer 2022. On August 8 that year, Spirit completed a suicide attempt. She was on life support for several days and ultimately died on Aug 25 at 14 years old. Our foundation was named Spirit’s Joy because that’s what she lost, her joy. We are driven by a profound commitment to prevent such tragedies and bring joy to every child who suffers in silence.
As strong advocates for respecting the humanity of our children, we work to end bullying, cyberbullying and teen suicide by planning, producing and promoting empowering initiatives that reinforce the village it takes to raise one child.
Our vision is a world where no child experiences the pain and suffering of bullying and cyberbullying. To discover, develop and promote strategies that lead to the eradication of teen suicide. Moreover we aim to expand our programs nationally and globally, forge powerful strategic partnerships, and empower a generation of confident, empathetic young leaders.
We will provide a safe haven for children who have been targeted by bullies, offering 6 weeks of day camp and a week of away camp. Our goal is to create a bully-free zone where children can heal, grow, and find their voices. We're super excited to be on schedule for opening the first Summer camp in 2024!
Camp Joyful Spirit will incorporate therapeutic activities led by trained counselors. These activities are designed to help children address the emotional and psychological effects of bullying. This will include group therapy sessions where campers can share their experiences and feelings in a supportive environment. Art therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness exercises will also be used in helping children process their emotions and develop coping strategies.
Every camper learns the art and science of public speaking, leaving with newfound confidence—an essential tool Spirit never had. Those who have been suffering in silence will find their own voice, The kids will mostly show up to camp feeling like victims but they will complete the process and go home as victors! The camp season culminates with an event where the campers will speak in front of their invited family and friends.
Campers who express a passion for speaking will have the opportunity to become part of our esteemed team, known as Spirit's Voices. These young speakers embark on a transformative journey, traversing the nation to share their personal stories. Their compelling narratives serve as beacons of hope for those who have experienced bullying and as catalysts for change in the hearts of those who have engaged in bullying behavior. Through their powerful words and experiences, Spirit's Voices aim to awaken a sense of empathy and moral responsibility in bullies, inspiring them to evolve into young humanitarians. Our ultimate goal is nothing short of a cultural shift across our nation, with a ripple effect that will resonate for generations to come, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society.
The Friendly Rap League is a groundbreaking program that blends the art of battle rap with a powerful message of love, kindness, and positivity. Our mission is to empower young people with the skills of rap while promoting respect and empathy. Through a structured curriculum, led by experienced mentors, young participants learn the fundamentals of rap battles, from rhyme schemes to wordplay, all within a framework of positive communication. We encourage "positive competition," where participants uplift their opponents with compliments and encouragement, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect. The Friendly Rap League isn't just about honing rap skills; it's about using the power of words to create a more compassionate and connected world. We will launch the Friendly Rap League as an after-school program. We're partnering with local schools and/or community centers to provide a safe and structured environment for participants to practice and learn. This approach allows for regular sessions, fostering skill development and a sense of community among participants. We will fulfill our intention to honor Spirit, fight bullying and cyberbullying through this unique journey of artistic expression and positive change.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.
Sign up to hear from us about special events and get updates on the progress of our initiatives.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.