The Stand for the Silent fall 2025 state scholarship application period is now open!

Our Mission

Dedicated to ending bullying through
education, awareness, and empowering youth to speak up, stand strong, and support one another.

Our Story

In 2010, Stand for the Silent, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded by a group of high school students in Oklahoma City, deeply moved by the heartbreaking story of Kirk and Laura Smalley’s son, Ty Field-Smalley. At just eleven years old, Ty tragically took his own life after being bullied for over two years and suspended from school for retaliating. Determined to honor their son and protect other children from similar pain, Kirk and Laura began sharing Ty’s story in schools across the country—giving rise to what is now a national movement to end bullying and youth suicide.

Since May 2010, Kirk and Laura have visited more than 6,700 schools, reaching over 4.5 million students with a message of empathy, hope, and empowerment. Their work was recognized in 2011 when they were invited to meet privately with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House before participating in the inaugural White House conference on bullying prevention.

In November 2020, tragedy struck the Smalley family again when Laura was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and passed away following surgery. Laura was the heart of Stand for the Silent—known for her compassion, strength, and unwavering love for all children. In her honor, the Laura Smalley Memorial Scholarship was established in the amount of $5,000 to recognize and support students who carry forward her legacy of kindness and courage. In remembrance of Ty, the Ty Smalley Memorial Scholarship, also in the amount of $5,000, honors young people who demonstrate resilience and a commitment to standing for those who feel voiceless.

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRANSFORMATION

The Profound Impact of Stand for the Silent

The SFTS assembly presentation confronts the serious issues of bullying and teen suicide through a powerful, emotionally grounded presentation. Kirk Smalley shares his family’s personal story with honesty and urgency—creating a space where students can connect, reflect, and recognize the real impact of their actions. His message often resonates in ways students have never experienced before.

A key goal of every visit is to inspire students to launch a local SFTS chapter in their school—a peer-led group dedicated to building a safer, more respectful community. At the end of each event, students receive pledge cards and commit to “standing for the silent.” This simple but profound pledge represents a personal promise to be kind, to speak up, and to be the somebody who makes a difference.

Above all, it reinforces the fundamental message of the Stand For The Silent program: I AM SOMEBODY.

If your school, organization, or community would be interested in bringing Stand for the Silent to your campus, please visit our Host a Presentation page to learn more and submit a request.

Who We Honor

At Stand for the Silent, everything we do is in remembrance of the lives lost to bullying and in dedication to the families, friends, and communities forever changed by it.

This movement began with the loss of Ty Field-Smalley—an 11-year-old boy who took his own life after being relentlessly bullied. His story, and the love of his parents, Kirk and Laura Smalley, sparked a mission that has grown into a nationwide effort to prevent similar tragedies. But Ty’s story is not the only one.

We honor every child and teen who has lost their life because of bullying. Each name represents a story, a life filled with dreams, and a future that was cut far too short. These young people should still be with us—learning, laughing, and growing. Instead, their memories fuel our purpose.

During each presentation, we speak their names, we share their stories, and we promise to never forget. Their lives matter. Their voices matter. And we will continue to stand — in their memory and for those who still suffer in silence.

We invite you to visit our Those We Honor page to learn more about the young lives we remember and to join us in ensuring their stories inspire lasting change.

KEY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

What We Do

At Stand for the Silent (SFTS), our mission is to raise awareness of bullying and teen suicide while empowering students, educators, and families to take meaningful action.

Our work centers around inspiring presentations, student-led initiatives, classroom programs, and scholarship opportunities that honor those we’ve lost and support the next generation of changemakers.

Host a Presentation

Our signature presentation is the heart of Stand for the Silent—a powerful, personal, and emotional experience delivered in schools across the country. Led by co-founder Kirk Smalley, these events bring Ty’s story to life and leave a lasting impact on students, staff, and communities.

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Standout Program

The Standout Program recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional empathy, courage, and kindness. This initiative provides teachers and staff with tools to foster a culture that celebrates and models positive behavior.

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Scholarship Program

In memory of Ty and Laura Smalley, we offer scholarships to honor their legacy and empower students who stand against bullying.

SFTS National Scholarships: Scholarships awarded to students who exemplify SFTS values.
SFTS State Scholarships: Scholarships awarded through partnerships with local SFTS chapters and school programs.

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Bully-Free
Classrooms

Bully-Free Classrooms is designed for grades K–2, helping young students build empathy, kindness, and respect early on. With fun, age-appropriate activities and teacher resources, it supports a positive classroom culture before bullying begins.

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Start a Chapter

Students can launch official Stand for the Silent chapters in their schools to create lasting cultural change. These student-led groups plan activities, organize outreach, and lead their peers in standing against bullying.

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Stop Cyberbullying

Parents and students can explore this dedicated section to better understand, recognize, and combat cyberbullying. From tips and real-life examples to reporting tools, this resource helps families protect themselves and others online.

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How We Do It

At Stand for the Silent (SFTS), we create real change by combining grassroots action with direct student engagement. Since 2010, we’ve reached over 4.5 million students in more than 6,700 schools across the U.S. and beyond—sparking awareness, empathy, and action in the fight against bullying and youth suicide.

Our work is powered by a wide array of programs and tools, including:

Our Signature School Presentations, led by co-founder Kirk Smalley, use deeply personal storytelling to break through to students

Peer-led SFTS Chapters that turn one-time inspiration into ongoing, student-driven change

Scholarships, both national and state-based, that recognize courage, leadership, and resilience

K–2 Classroom Curriculum, high school leadership resources, and parent toolkits that expand our reach and impact

We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to transparency, ethical stewardship, and maximizing impact. Stand for the Silent proudly holds a Silver Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar), underscoring our dedication to open and honest communication. View our nonprofit profile here.

We encourage you to consult trusted evaluators like Candid and Charity Navigator when researching nonprofits. We’re in the process of submitting updated materials to Charity Navigator so that our rating better reflects our financial accountability, transparency, and the real-world impact of our work.

How We Fund this Work

We raise funds through grassroots support from communities around the country and the world. Most often, donations come from people who have just seen one of our presentations—parents, teachers, or students moved to make a difference. We also receive online donations from supporters who want to help bring our message to more schools.

We also fund our work through:

Community Outreach Teams, who raise awareness and accept donations at events and retail locations across the U.S. These teams help educate the public and expand our reach dramatically—engaging thousands of people every week.

Message-Driven Merchandise, like t-shirts, wristbands, and educational materials. Every item raises both funds and awareness, sparking conversation and change. You can find these items available through our online store, with proceeds helping support our mission.

Yes, like any nonprofit, there are costs associated with outreach, merchandise, and hosting free school presentations. But every dollar contributes to making a difference, with donations carefully allocated based on community needs.

How Does Your Donation Make a Difference?

Your support makes it possible for us to bring our message—and our mission—to schools that otherwise couldn’t afford it. It helps students feel heard, gives parents tools to intervene, and empowers entire communities to take a stand against bullying.

Together, we’re building a movement rooted in empathy, respect, and action—and every donation is a step toward reaching one more student in one more school before it’s too late.

YES, YOU CAN TRULY

Our Mission

Our Story