Coping with transnational grief
For Amrita Chavan, leaving Mumbai for Canada at the age of 19 was the start of a new experience, but it also marked the beginning of a completely new life, at a distance. She vividly recalls the heartbreaking goodbye at the airport, surrounded by her crying relatives. She had no idea how painful it Read More...
How West African hairdressers offer mental health support and a pathway to healing
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader's Choice selection of 2023! Here's why one of our fellow optimists nominated this story: "A few days before [this article was published], I was at my favorite salon getting my hair done. As she was conditioning my hair and massaging my scalp Read More...
Patriot Day's message of strength and unity: We remember, we unite
Patriot Day, an annual holiday in the United States, serves as a reminder of the country's resilience and togetherness in the face of adversity. President George W. Bush established this day in 2002 as a moment to mourn the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the communal spirit that Read More...
5 Ways to bring people together with food
In almost every corner of the world, coming together and sharing a meal is one of the most communal and binding traditions. As we have already reported, food is a wonderful way to bring people together; to forge friendships, exercise your creativity, and even save money while having an enjoyable Read More...
Firefighting goats and The Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Surrounded by rugged steep mountains penetrated by hot dry Santa Ana winds, the Ojai Valley is particularly susceptible to wildfire, being in the top one percent of regions in the U.S. and the top three percent in California. The region's limited evacuation routes, vulnerable grid dependency, and Read More...
How slum residents in India are redesigning their future homes
How do you successfully help residents of a slum move into housing that improves their quality of life while maintaining a strong sense of community? You let them in on the design process and hear them out. At least that is what is happening in an informal settlement in the Indian city of Read More...
5 simple steps to become a climate activist in everyday life
We recently posted an article discussing impactful changes we can make in our personal lives to help avoid a climate crisis. If you still have a fire within you to enact planet saving change in your community, then maybe consider becoming a climate activist. Being a climate activist doesn’t Read More...
4 ways to donate your time and show your community love
While financial donations can go a long way in providing help to someone, there are plenty of other ways to give back as well. Specifically, by donating your time! There’s always a need for volunteers, and depending on the organization, volunteer work can be something you do on a regular basis. Read More...
This is how strip malls could provide a solution to the housing crisis
From San Jose, California, until San Francisco along El Camino Real you can find stretches a six-lane road outfitted with an endless stretch of strip malls and enormous parking lots. In its current state, the street doesn’t necessarily welcome pedestrians to walk alongside it, as it has been Read More...
Small things can make a huge difference for mothers with depression
Mental illness is not only hard for the sufferer but can also impact surrounding family and friends. This is especially true for the children of mothers that experience depression. Research has been found that children in this position not only are more likely to gain mental health problems Read More...