Meet a Hero for Change Matthew Kaplan

Be O.N.E. Project founder Matthew Kaplan will be honored at the Radio Disney Music Awards

Matthew Kaplan (right), 17, poses with his brother Josh, 9. Josh inspired Matthew to create the Be O.N.E. Project, an anti-bullying program.

Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and Austin Mahone are among the biggest music nominees for this weekend’s Radio Disney Music Awards. But Radio Disney doesn’t just plan to honor music stars. They’ll also present three young change-makers with a Hero for Change Award, including 17-year-old Matthew Kaplan, who was nominated by Youth Services America. The Radio Disney Music Awards will air on Disney Channel on Sunday, April 27, at 8 p.m. E.T.


In 2011, Matthew created the Be O.N.E. Project, a community-building and anti-bullying program for middle school students. He was inspired after seeing his younger brother become a victim of bullying. He initially developed the program just for his middle school, in Phoenix, Arizona. But when he saw there was a lack of anti-bullying programs serving students in middle school, he realized he could impact others. Since then, his program, which emphasizes “positive peer pressure,” has reached over 1,000 kids in three states. He spoke to TFK about the program and its impact.
Read the full story on Time for Kids http://www.timeforkids.com/news/meet-hero-change/159351