History and Mission
Play It Forward NY was founded in March of 2012 by Stefan Barone and his mother, Debra Santulli-Barone. The mission is simple:
1) Create a safe environment for children and teens to share their experience with bullying through monthly support groups with peers and those who have also experienced bullying and overcome.
2) At the support group, identify the best options for children and parents to immediately treat the issue.
3) Once the issue is treated, and a successful outcome is found, bolster the child's confidence by exploring interests, and identifying resources to support these interests (sports, music, etc).
Stefan experienced a great deal of bullying in his youth and knows firsthand how it feels to endure daily harassment. As a teenager, he has shared his experience and opinion with Connie Chung on ABC's 20/20, and with Charles Gibson of Good Morning America. As an adult, he has continued his advocacy against bullying and supporting its victims on Fox NY's Good Day Street Talk, NY1, and in the Staten Island Advance. Through Play It Forward NY's monthly support group, both Debra and Stefan share their insights on how to handle the issue, and teach their theory, "Playing it Forward", using the negative experience to make positive change. For Stefan, this incorporated writing feelings, creating lyrics, and making music from the words. Stefan taught himself to compose, and record, crafting songs from his experience. Writing and composing truly aided Stefan when dealing with the issue, and he feels helping children and teens identify their interests and explore them will assist in the resolve of those experiencing bullying.
Through the combination of gained wisdom from his mother, his love for music, and his willingness to make a difference, came the concept for Play It Forward NY. Nearly three years later, Stefan and Debra continue to strive hard to show everyone that "Playing It Forward" works!
Play It Forward NY was founded in March of 2012 by Stefan Barone and his mother, Debra Santulli-Barone. The mission is simple:
1) Create a safe environment for children and teens to share their experience with bullying through monthly support groups with peers and those who have also experienced bullying and overcome.
2) At the support group, identify the best options for children and parents to immediately treat the issue.
3) Once the issue is treated, and a successful outcome is found, bolster the child's confidence by exploring interests, and identifying resources to support these interests (sports, music, etc).
Stefan experienced a great deal of bullying in his youth and knows firsthand how it feels to endure daily harassment. As a teenager, he has shared his experience and opinion with Connie Chung on ABC's 20/20, and with Charles Gibson of Good Morning America. As an adult, he has continued his advocacy against bullying and supporting its victims on Fox NY's Good Day Street Talk, NY1, and in the Staten Island Advance. Through Play It Forward NY's monthly support group, both Debra and Stefan share their insights on how to handle the issue, and teach their theory, "Playing it Forward", using the negative experience to make positive change. For Stefan, this incorporated writing feelings, creating lyrics, and making music from the words. Stefan taught himself to compose, and record, crafting songs from his experience. Writing and composing truly aided Stefan when dealing with the issue, and he feels helping children and teens identify their interests and explore them will assist in the resolve of those experiencing bullying.
Through the combination of gained wisdom from his mother, his love for music, and his willingness to make a difference, came the concept for Play It Forward NY. Nearly three years later, Stefan and Debra continue to strive hard to show everyone that "Playing It Forward" works!
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