Louisette Florexile – Founder Story
As the Founder and President of Children for Change International, Inc. I began this non-profit organization to help end bullying and hate crimes among our young people.
Growing up as an immigrant child in the USA, I faced more than my fair share of challenges. My parents worked tirelessly at factories, leaving me home alone. My school-life was a nightmare. Being a newcomer who spoke no English, dressed differently, and had a different culture, made me an easy target for bullies. I felt alone, isolated, and defeated.
One day, something changed. My mother told me to fight back…and I did. While this stopped the bullies, it had far-reaching and unpredictable consequences. While I now felt empowered, I took this new sense of power too far. Fueled by the anger and isolation I had previously felt, I became the bully that tormented others to feel better about myself. My core belief was that I could use violence and hate to build a wall around me to stop other people from attacking me first.
As I grew older, I could reflect on my past. Without excusing my behavior, I could have compassion for the person I was and the situation I was in. The experience led me to believe that other bullies probably started in a similar situation. Evolving from being the victim of a bully to becoming one in a horrible cycle of violence, self-hatred, and fear.
Leaving bullying unresolved is not an option Children for Change International, Inc. Working with bullies and their victims, and being on both sides myself, I have found that bullying leads kids to believe they only have three choices:
- Be passive – Keep the pressure and stress inside. Typically, this involves hiding it from the world and crying in private. This often leads to other behavioral or psychological problems with the victim.
- Fight – Using physical violence and/or a weapon to keep the bullies at bay often with dire consequences on both sides.
- End their life – Stopping the torment through a tragic suicide.
Our kids deserve to know that there are other options, which is why I created Children for Change International, Inc. We aim to educate and support children, parents, and those in the education system to help foster a culture where children can thrive and feel safe and not be isolated or victimized.
I am living proof that this cycle can be broken. I believe that we’re all more alike than different and that if we can learn to appreciate and celebrate our differences, we can all thrive. While people rarely have sympathy for childhood bullies, as in my own case, their behavior is often the result of some deep-seated unhappiness in themselves. That’s why our organization takes a holistic approach and works to support both the victims and the bullies. We also provide support for parents by providing resources to help them make the best decisions for their children.
Our organization has bigger goals than just making people feel good. It’s about the community coming together and being united in stopping bullying and the causes of bullying. Believing that you must struggle alone can lead to dangerous outcomes for our kids and those around them. But together, we can make a difference.
Please join us in this mission to end bullying and hate crimes to create a kinder, safer, and more accepting world for our children.
It’s time to take charge and change the future.
