Gaten Matarazzo To Deliver 'Unbreakable' Anti-Bullying Message

TOMS RIVER, NJ — With the rising influence of social media and rising tensions in the world at large, bullying has become a serious crisis. But how do we stop it? How do we turn the tide from meanness to kindness?

That will be part of the discussion tonight, Thursday, Nov. 15, during "Unbreakable: A Forum on Bullying" at 6 p.m. at the RWJ Barnabas Arena.

Headlining the event will be Gaten Matarazzo, the Ocean County teen who stars in the "Stranger Things" series and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. Matarazzo hails from Little Egg Harbor Township. Sambora is scheduled to perform with the Point Pleasant Boro High School choir.

They will be joined by New Jersey author and kindness advocate Marie Unanue; Gabe Hurley of "The New Black;" Kate Ecke, a licensed clinical social worker; Bryant Moore of Smarty Pants Educational Services and Maureen and Jesse Morella of "Jesse's Journey."

Unanue, of Mantoloking and Manhattan, has recently released a book titled "The Adventures of Phatty and Payaso: Central Park," and puts a great deal of energy into her #LetsAllBeKind campaign.

Jesse's Journey is a Mahwah-based program that is working to fight drug use among teens. Jesse, 19, suffered severe and irreversible brain damage after a drug overdose in November, 2004 and survives today as a quadriplegic, according to their website.

The forum, arranged by the Ocean County Prosecutor's office, is open to anyone and parents are encouraged to attend with their children.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and there will be a giveaway of a "Stranger Things" bicycle.

" 'Unbreakable – A Forum Against Bullying' is designed to educate students and parents regarding issues of harassment and bullying," Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. "Harassment and bullying have escalated through social media and we believe that this program will help to address harassment and bullying in a positive manner that encourages students to treat others in as they wish to be treated."

Tickets are free but space is limited. You can visit http://www.rwjbarnabashealtharena.com/ or call 732-818-8536 to reserve tickets.

Photos: Musician Richie Sambora attends the 2018 ASCAP Pop Music Awards on April 23, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images; Gaten Matarazzo arrives to the 2018 Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy Party at Sunset Tower Hotel on September 15, 2018 in West Hollywood, California. Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images