My Buddy Bench Project

What We're About

“My Buddy Bench Project” is a non-profit organization created by a child and her mother. We aim to encourage communities to collaborate in creating a kinder future for our children by adopting and installing “Buddy Benches” in elementary schools and public spaces.

Our Mission

To promote kindness and empathy among children in schools and public spaces through

“Buddy Benches” combating bullying.

Who I am

“I was an elementary student not so long ago and I experienced what it feels like to be socially isolated, and at times, bullied. I want to help other kids feel safe and make friends. With your help we can make a positive and life-changing difference, one Buddy Bench at a time.”

Victoria Portela
Co-Founder, My Buddy Bench Project

Help Our Cause

Your support and contributions will enable us to make real changes.
Every little bit counts!

Meet the BUDDY BENCH

& How it works!

A Buddy Bench is a designated seat in schools or public spaces where children can sit if they need a friend by their side. It stands out, promotes awareness, and prevents bullying.

Children who want a friend to play or talk with can sit on the Buddy Bench. Kindness Ambassadors and other children are encouraged to invite them to join activities. Repeated use of the bench signals the need for support, prompting school staff to provide assistance.

Resources

How to Detect Child Bullying and Help Children Navigate School Violence

Detecting signs of bullying in our children is crucial to developproper ways to fight against it. Dr. Rina S. Santiago-Guia encourages speaking to our children each day about school activities, maintaining regular contact with their teachers, and just keeping up with their routine. The more involved we are, the easier it is to spot behavioral changes.

Kindness Ambassadors

Doing Good TogetherTM (DGT) is a national nonprofit that works to make volunteering and service, along with daily kindness, easy for every family. Learn what the Doing Good TogetherTM Service Fair participants and volunteers do to bring smiles and hope in their community.

South Florida student, her mother create ‘My Buddy Bench Project’ to combat bullying

Published February 24, 2025 / https://www.local10.com/

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A student is spearheading an anti-bullying initiative in Miami-Dade County.

She’s the co-founder of the “My Buddy Bench Project” and is helping to combat bullying one bench at a time.

“I think this organization is great because my personal experiences have been hard in elementary school and I don’t want anyone else to have the same experiences,” Victoria Portela said.

Victoria and her mother, Mary Portela, co-founded the My Buddy Bench Project — built off of Victoria’s personal experience with bullying.

“I was joining a new school in the third grade and I did feel really hurt in the beginning because I didn’t know these people and they were just judging me off of … I don’t know, just for anything,” Victoria said.

That feeling of judgement and isolation sparked Victoria to create this anti-bullying nonprofit with her mother.

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