Cedars launches ‘Choose Kindness’ campaign; Ross council to proclaim support

Casey Coco, director of strategic planning for Cedars, told the Ross Town Council on May 8 that Cedars’ client advisory council had created a countywide “Choose Kindness” campaign and asked the town to be the campaign’s first official launch site.

The presentation explained that Cedars operates day programs, a textile art collaborative and supportive homes for adults with developmental disabilities, serving roughly 200 people. Coco said the campaign grew from client complaints about everyday unkindness and small incidents of exclusion and was developed by Cedars participants themselves as a form of self-advocacy.

Two Cedars residents who serve on the client advisory council, Rose Gordon and Teresa Pardella, described specific incidents that inspired the campaign — from incorrect change given to a person who could not count to refusal to share water on a hot day — and urged Ross to adopt simple actions such as greeting people, accommodating differences and promoting inclusion in businesses and schools.

Coco asked the council to recognize the campaign by adopting a town proclamation, assist with promotion through the town newsletter and encourage schools, businesses and residents to “choose kindness” daily. Mayor McMillan and several council members praised Cedars’ work; the mayor noted a proclamation supporting the campaign was included on the consent calendar and would be signed and sent to Cedars.

Cedars said it will begin local outreach in Ross, work with businesses and schools, and aims to expand the campaign countywide. The presenters requested the council’s help publicizing the effort and asked for the town’s formal recognition to lend momentum to the initiative.

Cedars’ staff and self-advocates answered brief questions about next steps, materials and how residents could participate; the council did not take additional substantive action beyond confirming the proclamation was on the consent calendar.