Kevin’s Afterglow
This summer five new benches were installed in local parks including Sandcastle, Gold Manor, Owen Fish, Tunxis Hill and Highwood Park. You might have noticed these blue benches around town.
They are called Buddy Benches, and the project was initiated by Jim and Kristen Kuczo. They founded the nonprofit Kevin’s Afterglow after their son died by suicide four years ago.
Jim Kuczo said the benches serve as a connection, “especially when the kids see them around town.”
The benches offer more than a place to rest. At the elementary level, kids are taught to sit at the bench when alone, sad, or when they want someone to play with. Usually, they do not have to wait long.
Jim said it encourages kids to ask for help early on.
“Maybe someone will be less frightened, scared or ashamed to ask for help when they’re struggling later on in life”
Jim and Kristen Kuczo, Marci Pearlberg and Alyssa Lamparski, the owner of Burn Boot Camp, stand beside the newly dedicated Buddy Bench in Fairfield, CT, in June 2025
The benches have found their home at every public school in Fairfield and have received widespread praise from those impacted.
One mother of an Osborn Hill student said her daughter spoke excitedly about the bench after it was installed. Students learned about Kevin’s kindness and how he would cheer up anyone who was alone or sad.
“She knows the benches are a way of spreading that love and afterglow.”
Other benches have been installed at many local businesses, with the support of community members.
“It gives us eyeballs, it’s almost like a billboard," Jim said.
On June 25, a new bench was placed outside the Burn Boot Camp gym located on Black Rock Turnpike. It was made possible with the help of Marci Pearlberg, a regular at Burn Boot Camp and the creator of Tagurit Paintings, a business that donates all proceeds to mental health foundations and advocacy groups.
Having dealt with her own mental health struggles, Marci said the gym was an outlet for herself, and many of the moms in town.
“It’s a place to sit, and know that they're not alone,” said Pearlberg.
The work of Kevin’s Afterglow extends beyond the benches. The nonprofit aims to address the pediatric mental health crisis, and work with children to encourage kindness and compassion at every educational level.
Part of this work includes Jim’s many impactful speeches to local schools and sports teams. During these discussions, he encourages students to reach out for support when they’re struggling.
“I want to let them know that this is something that happens to people,” Jim said. “If you feel this way, there are resources out there to help you, whether it be guidance counselors, trusted adults, and then we can go into talking about doctors.”
The organization has also hosted many community events to garner support and fundraising, such as the fourth annual Kevin’s Afterglow Golf Classic on June 2, in which 144 golfers competed and won raffle prizes.
All of the proceeds from the event went directly to the Buddy Bench program, and Pediatric Mental Healthcare Scholarship. This grant supports college graduates going into the pediatric mental healthcare field.
It is part of an effort to combat the mental health epidemic amongst young people, which Jim said was exacerbated by the pandemic.
In 2023, 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and 16% said they had made a suicide plan within the past year, according to the CDC.
“You have these rising rates, but you don't have enough doctors to treat them,” Jim said.
“We want to help people who are going to college or are in college, and help them join the fight.”
Last year, the organization awarded $4,000 to Lily Bryant, a Simmons University psychology major. Thousands more have been given to other students, all made possible by donations to Kevin’s Afterglow.
Those interested in supporting the organization can visit https://www.kevinsafterglow.org/
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, there is help. The 988 national suicide and crisis lifeline provides free 24/7 call or text support.