Voya’s commitment to kindness

Voya unveils new post-election kindness findings on World Kindness Day, and shares kindness pledge on social media

November 2020

As part of Voya Financial’s commemoration of World Kindness Day in 2020, Voya released results of a new, post-election study* that found the majority of Americans feel kindness is the most important personal value an individual should exhibit — with almost eight in 10 of those polled (78%) ranking kindness as the highest in a list of personal values.

The Voya study also found that, in addition to being kind, 96% of those polled would like to see more kindness in the future. And nearly all Americans (97%) agree acts of kindness can help make the world a better place.

Among the study’s key findings is how important people feel about kindness as a core operating principle for companies. Specifically, 93% of those polled said they want to work for a company that supports spreading kindness. That same level of importance is stressed in financial services, as 93% of respondents felt companies in the industry should take a stand on treating all Americans with respect and kindness.

In addition to the study, Voya collaborated with our friend — 9-year-old Lily Allison — to share an important message about kindness (opens new window) with the world. We encourage you to watch and take the kindness pledge with her.

*Based on the results of a Voya Financial survey conducted through AYTM — Ask Your Target Market online research platform between Nov. 9–10, 2020, among n=1,000 Americans age 18+, balanced by age, gender and region to reflect the U.S. population.

Helping to teach children kindness for Valentine’s Day

February 2020

Nine-year-old Lily Allison was bullied because of the braces she sometimes wears as a result of having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a disease that weakens the connective tissues in her body. This influential girl has chosen to teach others to spread kindness as a result of being bullied, in the hopes that others never have to experience the way that she felt.

As children around the world learn about, and celebrate, Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, let’s remind them about kindness. Lily’s anti-bullying book, BE KIND, Silly: A Child's Quest for a Kinder World (opens new window), shares the message that the power to create a kinder world lives inside each of us.

Voya is proudly matching Lily’s book purchases to donate to schools across the U.S. (up to 1,000 books). Learn more about Voya’s commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with special needs and disabilities — as well as their families, caregivers and other providers — through its Voya Cares® program.

Spread kindness this holiday season

December 2019

In the spirit of the holiday season, give the gift of kindness from the heart of eight-year-old Lily Allison.  Lily’s recently-published book tells the story of a young girl searching for a world full of kindness after being bullied — only to realize that the power to create a kinder world lives inside each one of us.

For every purchase (opens new window) of Lily’s book, BE KIND, Silly: A Child's Quest for a Kinder World, Voya will match the purchase and send a copy to schools across the United States — spreading the universal message of kindness that resonates with all of us.

Voya was fortunate to meet Lily during 2019 — when we made her dream come true. She had participated in Voya’s Invest in Something Special social media campaign in 2017, which encouraged Special Olympics athletes to share their aspirations beyond sport. Lily’s goal was “to be brave and sing like Mandy Harvey, who has my rare disease — and have a play date!” Voya was able to make Lily’s surprise play date with Mandy a reality.

Today, Voya is proud to share the optimistic message reflected in Lily’s book. Help us share Lily’s story with the world.

Sharing kindness — on World Kindness Day

November 2019

On World Kindness Day, Voya Financial wants to share the message of kindness reflected in eight-year-old Lily Allison’s book on anti-bullying, BE KIND, Silly: A Child’s Quest for a Kinder World.

Beginning on World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, 2019, Voya will match the next 1,000 purchases of BE KIND, Silly: A Child's Quest for a Kinder World (opens new window) by purchasing 1,000 additional copies of the book that will be distributed to schools across the United States in 2020.  Purchase BE KIND, Silly (opens new window)— and have Voya match your purchase.

Voya was fortunate to meet Lily earlier this year — when we made her dream come true.  She had participated in Voya’s Voya’s Invest in Something Special (opens new window) social media campaign in 2017, which encouraged Special Olympics athletes to share their aspirations beyond sport. Lily’s goal was “to be brave and sing like Mandy Harvey, who has my rare disease — and have a play date!”

Mandy rose to fame in 2017 on America’s Got Talent, as a finalist who earned the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. The exchange between Simon and Mandy (opens new window), who lost her hearing in college due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), as she sang the song Try has been viewed more than 38 million times.

Given that Mandy’s music and message are aligned with Voya’s focus on serving people with disabilities and their caregivers, which is reflected in the Voya Cares program, Mandy and Voya formed a relationship. When we shared Lily’s post with Mandy, she immediately said she wanted to meet Lily.

In August 2019, Voya made Lily’s surprise play date with Mandy a reality. Denver’s ABC7 captured the magic moment as it happened — under the guise that they were at Lily’s home to interview her about BE KIND, Silly. Links to the news piece on the meeting — and a touching video that Voya created, covering the meeting and a dramatic climb that Lily and Mandy made to the top of Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin, 12,500 feet above sea level — are posted on this page.

Also posted on this page is the music video for the song This Time. The themes of the song are people working together, being innovative to move through barriers as a team, and people of various abilities helping each other. These themes are very much aligned with Voya’s culture — our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality for everyone — and the Voya Cares program.

Voya is proud to share the optimistic message of kindness reflected in Lily’s book. Help us share the kindness by purchasing BE KIND, Silly (opens new window) and we will match your purchase (up to 1,000 books), distributing copies to schools across the United States.

Visit Lily's Be Kind website (opens new window)

Spreading Kindness with Lily Allison

Remote video URL

Lily meets Mandy Harvey

Kaltura Video

Mandy Harvey's This Time music video

Kaltura Video

Go behind the scenes

Remote video URL

Mandy Harvey’s This Time lyric video

Kaltura Video

Mandy Harvey special concert

Remote video URL