Adult volunteers
Behind every Whisper gathering is an adult investing in student leaders.
Learn more
Guiding students from aloneknown
We combat student loneliness by creating meaningful spaces of conversation, connection, and community.
A student-led movement
across 30+ schools and universities
- Kennesaw State University
- Milton
- Fellowship Christian
- Vidalia
- Marietta
- Jackson Reed (Washington D.C.)
- Adairsville Middle
- Kings Ridge Christian
- Dawson County Junior High
Students are the loneliest people on the planet
Connection is an essential human need, with research showing that close relationships are the single greatest predictor of a healthy and happy life. But the average student goes through their entire day without a single genuine interaction at school. They're surrounded by peers, yet often feel unseen and unknown.
WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2025 — 20.9% of 13–17 year-olds experience loneliness, the highest rate of any age group. Harvard Study of Adult Development.
73%
of Gen Z say they feel alone
Cigna U.S. Loneliness Index, 2018
20%
have seriously considered taking their life
CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023
Chronic loneliness has a mortality impact equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
A solution going below the surface
The pandemic, social media, and rise in social anxiety have shaped an environment where students are more likely to avoid than approach one another. We're flipping the script through student-led, adult-empowered gatherings that break through surface-level interactions.
“How are you?”
“Good.”
Where Whisper
invites students:
- Who is someone you admire and why?
- What's a dream of yours that you've never shared?
- What memory from the last year will you never forget?
- When have you felt validated by someone?
- When have you felt disconnected from others?
Meet the Whisper Conversations™ Box Set
Based on brain-science-backed relational concepts
We help students unpack essential values using a plug-and-play card deck model, the Whisper Conversations Box Set. The analog tool helps students navigate meaningful conversations in a fun and memorable way, covering topics like encouragement, respect, and compassion.
When you change the conversation, you change the culture. And we're building a culture of belonging within every school in America.
Explore some conversation topics
Get the Whisper Conversations™ Box Set
Students receive training from adult volunteers, as well as our Whisper Conversations™ Box Set that makes leading weekly meetings easy and meaningful. We designed the plug-and-play card deck model to cover a 40-day season of intentional connection school-wide.
How we work
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Equip student leaders
Adult volunteers provide 9-12 student leaders at each school with training and tools to host fun and fulfilling conversations with their peers.
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Host weekly gatherings
Student leaders facilitate gatherings over a 40-day season using our Whisper Conversations Box Set.
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Change school culture
When students feel seen and empowered to connect with others, they change their school culture to one of genuine connection.
Overheard at school
“I thought I was alone, but when I came to Whisper, I realized there were so many people going through the same things I was. I realized I wasn't alone.”
“I used to sit down before class or in a waiting room, or anywhere, and instantly get on my phone or talk to the only person I know in the room. Now whenever I have the opportunity to reach out to someone, get to know them, and start a conversation, I do.”
“Whisper is a place you can walk into and feel confident that you are going to be seen.”
“Whisper has been the greatest blessing in my life. It changed the way I think and act, and I will forever hold on to the values Whisper has instilled in me.”
“Whisper helped me come to the realization that everyone has a story and might be going through something you don't know about.”
“[Whisper] allowed people to become friends with others they didn't think they'd have any connection with normally…It kills gossip, negative vibes, and being quick to judge. It's not you trying to become friends with everybody in the school, but it's to be a better friend to people you already know and to be a light in people's lives.”
Have your own Whisper story you'd like to share?
Email usPartner with Whisper
We're working with everyone—principals, legislators, parents, coaches, business leaders, and pastors—to ensure Whisper reaches every school in America.
“One of the best things I've ever done in my entire career was move forward with Whisper.”
School staff
Create a culture of connection by bringing Whisper to your school.
Get started“Whisper has been a saving grace for my son who has struggled with fitting in and social isolation since middle school. When he found Whisper as a high school senior, he jumped in wholeheartedly because Whisper not only gave a voice to his story but also provided healing.” — Mom of a student at Marietta High School —
What you can expect
Whisper gatherings happen weekly across the country and follow the same proven method for building genuine connection across a school.
Case study
“Whisper helps kids break out of what I call a ‘shell’ that they lock themselves into. They won't talk to anyone or tell anyone what is going on, but Whisper has stopped that.”
Building belonging across Bartow County
David was a middle school student who showed up to his school's Whisper gathering every week. He stuck to the same routine: grab a donut and sit quietly in the back of the room.
Everything changed for David when someone invited him to help lead Whisper.
Since David faced similar struggles as his peers, he was able to empathize and connect. Students felt seen, with Whisper gatherings reaching more than 500 students at David's school. The school's superintendent saw the shift in his school's culture and wanted to bring the same change to more schools in the area.
Whisper is now active in 8 schools across Bartow County.
Results from David's school district
41%
decrease in counselor mental health referrals
65%
reduction in suicide ideation proven in a district
Building belonging across Bartow County
David was a middle school student who showed up to his school's Whisper gathering every week. He stuck to the same routine: grab a donut and sit quietly in the back of the room.
Everything changed for David when someone invited him to help lead Whisper.
Since David faced similar struggles as his peers, he was able to empathize and connect. Students felt seen, with Whisper gatherings reaching more than 500 students at David's school. The school's superintendent saw the shift in his school's culture and wanted to bring the same change to more schools in the area.
Whisper is now active in 8 schools across Bartow County.
“Whisper helps kids break out of what I call a ‘shell’ that they lock themselves into. They won't talk to anyone or tell anyone what is going on, but Whisper has stopped that.”
Results from David's school district
41%
decrease in counselor mental health referrals
65%
reduction in suicide ideation proven in a district
Common Questions
Don't schools already have enough clubs? What makes Whisper different?
Most school clubs are built around sharing a passion for a particular activity. They serve a great purpose, but they usually create a homogeneous group that stays surface-level. Whisper is different because it goes beyond a hobby and gets to the heart of what every student wants: deep connection through genuine conversation.
How do you ensure these gatherings are safe and productive?
Every school with Whisper is backed by adult volunteers. These adult leaders are part of a cohort from about a dozen schools that meet monthly and receive coaching from our team. Volunteer today to bring Whisper to a school near you!
How do you develop student leaders?
Adults involved with schools help us identify students who have a heart for building connection. We aim for 9-12 student leaders at each school. Adult volunteers then provide these students with coaching and tools, such as our Whisper Gather Guide.
How can I bring Whisper to my school?
If you'd like to build more meaningful relationships across your student body, then contact us through the form below.
Volunteer with Whisper
Adult volunteers are the backbone of Whisper. You'll identify 9-12 students at a local school who have a heart for building connection, then coach them month to month as they host weekly gatherings with the Whisper Conversations Box Set. We train you, supply the tools, and meet with your cohort regularly — you bring a couple of hours a week and a willingness to invest in students.
Bring belonging to your school
Contact our team to learn about launching Whisper at your school.