From East Rockaway to Global Impact: How a Young Leader Is Making Waves in Service, Sports, and Advocacy
Joseph “Joe the Gamer” Petraro isn’t your average 12-year-old. Born in East Rockaway and now thriving in Hewlett, NY, Joe has emerged as one of the nation’s most inspiring young humanitarians, authors, and advocates. His story began at the tender age of five with a simple act of kindness—comforting residents at a local nursing home. That compassion has since evolved into a global mission of service, inclusion, and leadership.
“I believe kindness can change the world,” Joe often says. “Even the smallest action can create a ripple that reaches far beyond what we can see.”
A Scholar, Leader, and Athlete at Just 12
While most 12-year-olds are preparing for middle school, Joe is entering his sophomore year at Louisiana State University (LSU), majoring in Sports Management with a focus on leadership. Studying remotely due to his age, he’s fully involved in campus life, participating in kinesiology clubs and leading fundraising efforts for the Arthritis Foundation’s Louisiana Chapter.
Despite his academic workload, Joe remains an avid athlete. He competes in baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, track, and cross country. Additionally, Joe is a black belt in Shōtōkan Karate and is training for his second degree at Adel Karate Academy. His love of movement doesn’t stop there—he also dances and twirls, using physical expression as a way to promote mental wellness.
“Sports aren’t just for competition—they’re for development, belonging, and mental health,” Joe says. “That’s the message I want to spread.”
Founder of Joe’s Be Kind Campaign: Changing Lives, One Project at a Time
At the heart of Joe’s mission is Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering kind, inclusive, and connected communities. What started as a response to bullying has grown into a globally recognized movement. The campaign houses several powerful initiatives:
- 🌍 Joe’s Wells for Humanity – building clean water wells across Africa
- 🏀 Sports 4 All – creating inclusive sports leagues for children of all abilities
- 👵 Adopt a Grandparent – connecting isolated seniors with caring youth
- 🌱 Sustainability Projects – empowering kids to protect the planet
- 🎬 The Rewind Project – using storytelling to help others overcome trauma
Joe’s service goes beyond big projects; he’s often found doing quiet acts of kindness simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Recognized by Leaders, Supported by Family
Joe’s work has not gone unnoticed. In May 2025, Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick recognized his advocacy on the New York State Senate floor during Tourette’s Awareness Month. The Town of Hempstead, led by Supervisor Don Clavin, honored Joe’s work by lighting its landmark clock tower teal in support of Tourette’s education and research.
“Joe’s compassion and leadership remind us of the profound change one individual can inspire,” said Supervisor Clavin at the event.
Joe’s greatest supporters are his parents, Anne and Oswald Hyppolite (Petraro), who have nurtured his intellectual and emotional intelligence from a young age. With a tested IQ of 168 and exceptional emotional intelligence, Joe proves that brilliance can go hand in hand with empathy.
“I wouldn’t be here without my parents’ love and faith,” Joe says. “They’ve always taught me that being different is a blessing, not a burden.”
Advocacy for Mental Health and Neurodiversity
Living with Tourette Syndrome and OCD, Joe has turned personal challenges into advocacy for others. He speaks regularly at schools about mental health, neurodiversity, and bullying, inspiring kids to embrace their differences and stand up for kindness.
“Being different isn’t something to hide,” Joe emphasizes. “It’s something to celebrate. My mission is to help kids see that.”
Digital Leadership: Changemaker at Google
Joe’s impact also reaches the digital world. As a three-year intern with Digital4Good and #ICANHELP, Joe has championed positive online communities and was honored as a Digital Changemaker in 2024 at Google HQ.
“Digital spaces should be safe, uplifting, and empowering,” Joe said at the event. “We can change the culture of the internet just like we can change the world.”
Sports for Life: More Than Just Games
Sports and activities are not just about staying busy or chasing dreams of professional success—they are about movement, mental health, and belonging.”I believe sports should be about development, fun, and camaraderie,” I often say. “No one should feel isolated. Movement fuels the brain, and being active is part of true well-being.”This belief guided me to choose my major and shape key parts of my nonprofit work—using sports as a bridge to better health, stronger friendships, and happier lives.
As Joe often says:
“Kindness isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.”
A Future of Leadership, Faith, and Service
Rooted in faith and guided by compassion, Joseph “Joe the Gamer” Petraro continues to set an example for young people everywhere. Whether he’s leading global service projects, advocating for mental health, or playing sports with joy, Joe shows us that leadership starts with kindness.
Joe with the founder of digital4good x #icanhelpAnd
Joe with his parents
📌 Joseph Petraro’s Impact at a Glance
- 🎓 Sophomore @ LSU (Sports Management – Leadership)
- 🏅 Founder of Joe’s Be Kind Campaign (501c3 nonprofit)
- 🚒 Junior Firefighter – Hewlett Fire Department
- 🛡️ Star Scout (Scouting America) – Pursuing all 139 merit badges
- 🧠 Mental Health Advocate – Living with Tourette’s & OCD
- 🏀 Multi-sport Athlete – Baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, track, cross country
- 🥋 Black Belt Karate – Training for 2nd-degree
- 💃 Twirler & Dancer – Promoting mental wellness through movement
- 🌍 Digital Changemaker – 2024 honoree at Google via Digital4Good