Who Should Be Nominated for a Joyful Experience?
Joyful Experience Recipients | Prom in New York City, NY
If you're reading this, chances are someone came to mind before you even finished the headline. Maybe it's a kid down the street who's had a rough couple of years. A student in your class who eats lunch alone. A niece or nephew navigating something no ten-year-old should have to navigate. That instinct? Trust it.
At the BeLikeTommy Project, we create joyful experiences for youth ages 10 to 18 who have experienced hardship, especially those most vulnerable to exclusion, discrimination, and the kind of loneliness that's becoming way too common at a young age. We don't do staples like food or shelter. We do joy. A birthday party. A day on the lake. A moment where a kid gets to just be a kid again. So let's talk about who belongs on your nomination list.
The Short Answer
Nominate a young person, ages 10 to 18, who has faced hardship and could use a genuine moment of joy. That's really it. There's no scorecard, no minimum tragedy required. If a child came to mind while reading this, they're worth nominating.
Signs a Youth Might Need a Kindness Experience
You don't need to be a therapist or a family member to notice these things. You just need to be paying attention. Consider nominating a young person who is:
Facing exclusion or bullying, whether in person or online, and struggling to feel like they belong
Grieving a loss, of a parent, sibling, friend, or anyone whose absence has changed their world
Living with a serious illness or disability, their own or a family member's
Navigating family hardship, like housing instability, financial strain, or a parent's incarceration or deployment
Managing anxiety, depression, or isolation, that's made everyday life feel heavier than it should
Part of a marginalized community, and could use a reminder that they are seen, valued, and celebrated exactly as they are
Simply having a hard year, because sometimes there isn't one big reason, just a lot of small ones that add up
If any of this sounds familiar, that's your sign.
Who Can Submit a Nomination?
Anyone. Seriously. We welcome nominations from:
Parents and guardians
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends
Teachers, school counselors, and coaches
Social workers and healthcare providers
Neighbors and community members
The youth themselves, if they're comfortable self-nominating
You don't need a formal title or relationship to advocate for a kid you care about. You just need to know their story.
Why We Focus on Joy
Tommy Nash
Plenty of incredible organizations provide food, clothing, and shelter, and the world needs them. We saw a different gap. Kids can have their basic needs met and still feel invisible. Still feel like joy is something that happens to other families. That's the gap we fill.
This mission exists because of Tommy Nash, who was 14 when the world lost him to sudden cardiac arrest. Tommy had a gift for making people feel seen, whether that meant complimenting a stranger's outfit or simply sitting with someone who needed company. #BeLikeTommy started as a way for a community to grieve and grew into a movement to keep giving kids what Tommy gave so naturally: the feeling that they matter.
What Happens After You Nominate
Once you submit a nomination, our team reviews the story with care and discretion. We're not looking for the “most tragic” application. We're looking for a young person who could use a genuine, joyful lift, delivered in a way that fits them. That might look like a fishing trip, a birthday celebration, or something entirely unique to who they are.
Ready to Nominate Someone?
If a name popped into your head while reading this, don't wait for a “better” reason. Every nomination is a chance to give a kid a memory they'll hold onto for years. 💛
Joyful Experience Recipients | Twins Game in Minneapolis, MN
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be nominated for a BeLikeTommy kindness experience?
Any young person between ages 10 and 18 who has faced hardship, exclusion, bullying, grief, illness, or family difficulty and could benefit from a joyful, memorable experience.
Do I need to be related to the child to nominate them?
No. Parents, teachers, coaches, neighbors, social workers, or even the youth themselves can submit a nomination.
Is there a specific hardship required to qualify?
No single qualifying event is required. We consider each nomination individually, looking at the full picture of what a young person has been through.
How do I submit a nomination?
Visit www.beliketommy.org/joyful-experience-application to complete the nomination form. If you have questions first, feel free to send us an email or direct message on social media.
What kind of experiences does BeLikeTommy provide?
Experiences are tailored to the individual child and can range from birthday celebrations to outdoor adventures like a day fishing on the lake. The goal is always the same: create a genuine moment of joy.
Is there a cost to nominate a child?
No. Nominating a youth for a kindness experience is completely free.
