The Guess Anti-Bullying Fund encourages compassion in an era of negativity and uses its resources to inspire individuals to choose kindness in daily interactions. 

Morgan Guess was 8 years old when she first experienced bullying at her elementary school. As a result, she battled emotional distress in the form of panic attacks and stomach spasms. Guess was diagnosed with clinical depression and prescribed antidepressants. 

Deemed emotionally unsafe at school by doctors, Morgan was faced with the difficult recommendation of switching schools, a proposition she believed unfair given her innocence. It was then that her mother, Susan Guess, offered the essential advice – when confronted with adversity, one can either ignore it, blame others, or become a part of the solution. Embracing the proactive stance, she and her mother embarked on their journey of anti-bullying advocacy, resulting in the Guess Anti-Bullying Fund.

“I felt like my world was ending at eight years old,” Morgan said. “I dreamed that I would look back on myself and be proud of where I am.”

“Our focus has, over these last 13 years, been about creating kinds of schools and communities and about addressing bullying,” said Susan

They have improved state legislation, advocated for impactful speakers, garnered multiple awards and effectively organized many local events. The latest accomplishment of the fund is the release of a “Be Kind” Kentucky license plate. The plate features Kentucky blue and a reminder to “Be Kind.” 

“Driving is maybe one of the most stressful things ever,” Morgan said. “It’s easy to get frustrated It’s easy to quit and let that commitment to be kind go. So we’re also hoping that not only will your car look super cute, but it will also serve as a reminder to people on the road.”

The license plate project has been in development for several years but faced delays due to a change in the state license plate procedure. During Morgan’s senior year of high school, she testified before the Kentucky special license plate committee. Three years later, the license plate is finally available, with its official release on Jan. 16.

The plate can be purchased for $44 at any Kentucky courthouse along with the other official Kentucky plates. The “Be Kind” license plate also provides an opportunity for drivers to contribute to their communities.  If 10% of drivers purchase the plate, it can generate $1.7 million over the next decade.

“Equally important in my mind is that the goal is to inspire and celebrate kindness and for Kentucky to lead the way,” Susan said.

All proceeds from the sales will be directed to supporting the youth mental health drop-in centers across Kentucky.

The 12 drop-in centers are federally funded through the Transition Age Youth Launching Realized Dreamed (TAYLRD) initiative. They provide youth ages 16-25 with a safe, comfortable, and goal-oriented space to seek mental health services.

Reflecting on her journey, Morgan emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing mental health discussions: “And I think that’s something that we’ve worked towards — kind of just increasing the conversation about mental health. And it’s okay to get services. And, you know, it’s necessary.”

Now 21, attending her dream school of Duke and recently returning from Germany, Morgan sees herself as an example for others facing mental health struggles. 

“I want them to know that it will get better,” Morgan said.