Anthony's Way—The Road to Kindness with Tony and Cassi Bellezza
Jan 30, 2025
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Tony Bellezza, co-founder of Anthony's Way, channels his heartbreak into purpose, honoring his late son Anthony, who inspired countless with his kindness despite the hurdles of ADHD. Joined by Cassi, they share their journey of advocacy, discussing the founding of their non-profit aimed at uplifting children with ADHD. The duo highlights the importance of community support, educational accommodations, and the transformative impact of kindness, all while promoting innovative programs like the Kindness Scholarship. Their mission exemplifies how empathy can turn pain into a powerful movement.
The Bellezas transformed their heartbreak into a mission by founding Anthony's Road to Kindness, which empowers children with ADHD through resources and community support.
Their innovative Holistic Care Model showcases the importance of tailored guidance and advocacy, emphasizing compassion as essential in helping children with ADHD thrive.
Deep dives
The Mission of Anthony's Road to Kindness
Anthony's Road to Kindness aims to empower children with ADHD and their families by providing resources, mentorship, and a supportive community. Founded by Tony and Casey Belaza in honor of their son Anthony, who struggled with ADHD, the organization emphasizes compassion and understanding as vital elements for helping affected children thrive. The Belazas believe that ADHD is not a limitation but a unique path that is best navigated with kindness and support. They have created a coalition of experts including coaches, educational advocates, and health professionals to provide tailored guidance to these children.
Understanding Anthony's Journey
Anthony Belaza's experiences as a child with ADHD illustrate the challenges faced by many kids in similar situations, including feelings of inadequacy and the impacts of bullying. Despite expressing his kindness through friendships and empathizing with others, Anthony struggled academically due to learning disabilities associated with ADHD, including dysgraphia. His supportive teachers and family ultimately led to his diagnosis and the assistance he needed, demonstrating the importance of advocacy and awareness in educational settings. The Belazas' recounting of Anthony's journey underscores the difficulty many children experience and the critical need for compassion and intervention.
The Role of Kindness in the Organization
Kindness is at the core of Anthony's Road to Kindness, where initiatives encourage acts of compassion within schools and communities. The organization has launched kindness workshops and annual events, including a 'Walk a Mile for Kindness' in February, to engage students in community service projects. By collaborating with schools, children learn the importance of empathy and teamwork while performing kind acts, effectively embedding kindness into their social fabric. The organization uses symbols such as an orange heart to represent unity and anti-bullying, reinforcing a culture of kindness in public perception.
Comprehensive Support for Families
Anthony's Road to Kindness aims to help families navigating ADHD by offering a holistic support system tailored to individual needs, regardless of income level. Families seeking assistance are required to have an ADHD diagnosis, after which an intake session helps determine the specific needs of the child. The organization emphasizes its willingness to cover the costs of necessary services for those who cannot afford care, ensuring that help is accessible to all families. With plans for expansion, the Belazas are determined to reach more communities and streamline the process for families seeking essential resources.
WARNING: This episode contains discussions of youth bullying and suicide.
What does it mean to transform heartbreak into hope? For Tony and Cassi Bellezza, the loss of their son Anthony was not the end of his story—it was the beginning of a mission. Anthony, a vibrant and compassionate child who lived with ADHD, inspired those around him with his unique ability to see the world through a lens of kindness. But his journey wasn’t without challenges: navigating school accommodations, transitioning between educational systems, facing bullying, and finding outlets for his passions.
In this episode of The ADHD Podcast, hosts Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright sit down with Tony and Cassi to explore the roots of Anthony’s Way - The Road to Kindness, the non-profit they founded to honor their son. They discuss how Anthony’s struggle—and his empathy—became the foundation for a program designed to help children and teens with ADHD not just survive, but thrive.
From the challenges of private school 504 plans to the life-changing impact of extracurricular activities, Tony and Cassi share personal stories of advocacy, resilience, and the profound importance of kindness. They also dive into the organization’s innovative Holistic Care Model, their Kindness Scholarship program, and the transformative power of community support.
This is a conversation about ADHD, yes—but it’s also about legacy. It’s about how one family took their pain and turned it into a movement. And it’s a reminder that kindness isn’t just a value—it’s a roadmap to something greater.