Programs
The Tyler Clementi Foundation’s mission is to end online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces, and faith communities. We believe that progress can be made through education, advocacy, research, and collaboration among diverse communities.
Our unique approach of programs promoting pro-active and positive action mixes prevention, remediation and larger systemic change, encouraging individuals and communities to take a stand against bullying from #Day1.
Upstander Pledge
The first step toward ending bullying is to make a personal commitment to stop it, report it, or reach out to the victim with support. The Upstander Pledge empowers you to be a leader in your community by demonstrating your stand against bullying. You can encourage others to take responsibility for their actions. This important tool is a positive way to help counter hostile environments, garner support, and build a larger movement of awareness.
#Day1
We must prevent bullying before it begins. Imagine if on the first day of school, work or on a new sports team, a person in authority stood up and verbally told everyone that any form of bullying, harassment, or humiliation would not be tolerated?
The #Day1 initiative is an effective, immediate, and free way to reduce bullying, harassment, and humiliation. It requires these elements:
- a person in authority,
- a clear statement of behavior expectations,
- adoption early in the tenure of new students/employees/athletes, and
- a verbal confirmation of understanding from the group.
#Day1 focuses schools, universities, workplaces, athletic programs, and other group environments on a targeted intervention during orientation. #Day1 clearly states that teasing or cruelty are unacceptable. Learn more about this free and simple program.
Download your free #Day1 toolkit
Public Policy
Changing laws can change outcomes for individuals and communities affected by hostile bullying environments. To end bullying in elementary schools though high schools as well as colleges and universities, the Tyler Clementi Foundation supports the federal Safe Schools Improvement Act and The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act. To end the cyber harassment and abuse that disproportionately hurts women, girls and the LGBTQ community we are also supporters of the Intimate Privacy Protection Act. Read on to learn more about the changes these bills would make to federal law.
Help Us Pass Anti-Bullying Bills Today
Upstander Speaker Series
Using the power of story and personal tragedy, the Clementi family speaks around the country to move people to action. The series helps the foundation engage with the public and the media to educate people about the harmful effects of bullying and the opportunities to proactively respond in their communities.
Bring an Upstander Speaker to your community
True Faith Doesn’t Bully
On November 13, 2017, at The Tyler Clementi Foundation’s Upstander Legacy Celebration, Mitchell Gold, co-founder and co-chair of Faith in America, and Jane Clementi, co-founder and Vice President of the Tyler Clementi Foundation Board of Trustees, announced that their organizations will be joining forces to work together to end religious-based bullying.
Learn more about our efforts to end religious-based bullying
Tyler’s Suite
Tyler’s Suite is a nine-piece choral movement that shares the story of Tyler Clementi and ultimately shines a light of hope for a kinder, more understanding world. The project was brought together under the musical leadership of Stephen Schwartz (composer and lyricist of Wicked and Pippin), who also composed one of the pieces, and Dr. Timothy Seelig, Conductor and Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.
Learn more about Tyler’s Suite and see a list of upcoming performances
Tyler Clementi Center at Rutgers
The Tyler Clementi Center is a research institute at Rutgers,The State University of New Jersey. A collaborative effort between Rutgers University and the Tyler Clementi Foundation, the Center draws from academic disciplines across the university and throughout the nation to create new scholarship and interventions to address issues that confront young people – specifically vulnerable youth making the transition from home to college. Through research efforts, symposia and lecture series, curricular development and digital engagement, this Center provides support to students and professionals across the United States. It addresses issues such as:
- The impact of social environment on students during their transition to college
- The challenges of adjustment and assimilation into college life
- The need for suicide prevention and promotion of overall health
- The use and misuse of new technologies and social media
- The impact of peer aggression
- The understanding of and promotion of safe and inclusive social environments
Learn more about the The Tyler Clementi Center at Rutgers University
Youth Ambassadors
The Youth Ambassadors (YA) program emerged to highlight young leaders across America who are working to end all forms of bullying by developing change-making campaigns, organizing fundraisers, and leading activities, on and offline, to help prevent bullying.
Learn more about the impact Youth Ambassadors are making here