What Administrators & Teachers Are Saying:
"The words BULLY and BULLYING were not used one single time. Yet, this was - HANDS DOWN - the best anti-bullying program we have ever had here. EVER!"
"One of my students was so startled and moved by your visit that he could hardly speak to me when we got back to the classroom. He told me he has picked on other kids for a long time. He said that you were sent to speak to him and tell your story, so that he could understand why he needs to change."
"I have NEVER seen a group of Middle School students who were more mesmerized by a Speaker...and I've been in this school system for 40 years!"
"I wish you could have heard all of our kids buzzing about when, where, and how they were going to take their Silent-Strength Pledge! You definitely touched all of our lives with your messages. It was a phenomenal program!"
"Most powerful Assembly I've seen in 25 years of public education."
"I can't even begin to tell you the impact you made here at Blue Ridge. The ripples keep moving out...it's the best and most important program we have ever had here!"
"We have had some really good assemblies in the past 9 years since I've been here, but none as powerful and moving as Silent-Strength!"
"Silent-Strength is more than an assembly. It's a school culture game-changer!"
"The Virtual Kindness Wall has been the most influencial 'Game Changer' in my 12 years as a principal. The students and teachers are finding so much joy and inspiration from this. Mr. Reavis - thank you so much for visiting our school and being a bright light for all of us during this rough time."
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Silent Strength
In 41 years, Chris Reavis (Doug’s younger brother who was born with severe brain damage), never uttered a single negative word about anyone, never hurt a single soul with any of his actions or deeds, and never asked for a single thing for himself while all the while showing love and kindness to anyone who would simply sit and talk with him – no matter who they were and without judging them. The profound positive impact that Chris had on the lives of countless individuals was immeasurable. Yet, he did it without ever speaking a single word.
CHRIS LIVED HIS LIFE LIKE THIS FOR 14,971 STRAIGHT DAYS
(Jan. 14, 1971 – Jan. 20, 2012).
COULD YOU DO IT FOR A DAY?
THE SILENT- STRENGTH PLEDGE:
“Today, my positive actions will speak louder than all of my words”
SILENT-STRENGTH KINDNESS PRESENTATION FOR STUDENTS
This is a 1 hour Presentation geared primarily toward the Middle School & High School age students (though, we can break it down a bit in order to share with grades 3-5 if requested). The Presentation revolves around the true story of the life of Doug’s little brother, Chris, who was born with severe special needs, as we use real-life stories, examples, and video to show the incredibly powerful impact that our words and actions can have on the lives of others (both negatively and positively). The goal of the Presentation is to show students that, perhaps, the true heroes in this world aren’t necessarily the people with the most fame, money, popularity, or power – but that they are most often the people just like themselves (and like Chris) who go out of their way to be kind to others on a daily basis. We provide students with the Silent-Strength Pledge: “Today, my positive actions will speak louder than all of my words,” and challenge them to (like Chris) be a “hero” to the people in their lives.
We also include our YouUplift Kindness eWall platform, as a supplemental tool for everyone to use in order to “walk the walk” after we “talk the talk” – so to speak, as you can see on our Kindness Wall Page that the platform is a 100% positive, anonymous messaging platform that will ONLY display what you or your faculty moderator(s) APPROVE.
What Students & Parents Are Saying:

"Drake came home bubbling over with enthusiasm about the Silent-Strength Assembly today! The Speaker made such an impact on Drake, and he said there was not a "dry eye" in the whole place! I applaud you for bringing this wonderful assembly to our kids! Kudos!"
"Today, my daughter attended a program at school and was so moved by it that she wanted me to look it up online. I did and think that what you are doing with these programs is fantastic!!!...She is planning on taking the Challenge and I am so proud of her for that...this has motivated me too. THANK YOU!!!"
"Your story about Chris touched something inside me that's been buried for years - something I've never been exposed to before. It was very uplifting. It truly changed the way I think."
"My life changed within one hour today, and I will never be the same person ever again. Thank you!"
"I just wanted to say "Thank You" for giving your touching speech, because today after school, all the girls that would pick on me…they all told me they were sorry for making me feel bad. Thank you."
"My friend standing next to me said, and I quote, "Man, he made me want to be a better person." What you do makes so many other lives better - like a chain reaction."
"That was honestly the best program our school has ever had. Your brother is truly a hero. You changed a lot of people's minds, and you made people think differently towards the way they treat everyone. You're honestly a life savor."
"I was going through a rough time when you came by our school. I reached for that hand, and it helped me out of the dark. I hope you can inspire others…like you helped inspire me."
"You came at just the right time for me. I have been going through depression and self-harming since I was about 10 years old, and your story inspired me to reach out and get help. Thank you again…Your presentation was wonderful."
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(Because we are SO appreciative of the support, we have tried to save every single comment that we’ve ever received since the creation of Chris’ Silent-Strength Program in 2012. If you would like to leave a comment, then click the button below and scroll to the message box at the bottom of the page. Though there will be a slight delay before they will appear, all new comments will appear at the top of this page in the order that they come to us. WE CAN’T POSSIBLY THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT!)
Doug, wife Denita, and son David teamed up to create the YouUplift Kindness eWall for schools in honor of Chris in 2019. The platform gives students, teachers, and parents the ability to anonymously submit positive, uplifting messages about one another and gives your faculty moderator 100% push-button control over which messages will become visible, as the platform will automatically display your approved messages in the locations of your choice for everyone to see (facility tv monitors, smart boards, website, social media, and digital newsletters).