Here are some of the amazing programs people have created to help out. The stories are presented here to raise your spirits, and inspire you to consider donating time or money to these or other valuable causes if you are able.
The Friendship Bench - a book and a reality
Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist, set up a program in Zimbabwe to train grandmothers so that they could provide mental health services from benches along the streets in a country sorely lacking in trained psychiatrists. He discovered not only that the program's grandmothers served the public well, but that they were even more successful than psychiatrists for treating depression. Now Dr. Chibanda's program has spread to other countries, and he has written a book that can inspire and guide us all in understanding the potential of human beings to help each other through difficult times. https://www.friendshipbench.org/
Avaaz, "The World In Action"
Stories about people making a difference, gathered by an organization, Avaaz, that is itself making a difference. https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/covid19_reasons_to_hope_feedback/Making a Difference in Retirement
At Penney Farms in Florida, retirees build three-wheeled carts to provide mobility to people around the world who are unable to walk and don't otherwise have a dignified way to get around. https://mobilityworldwide.org/affiliates/florida-penney-farms/penney-farms-videos/Student Produces Science Kits for Children
Ahmed Mahammad, a 17 year old straight-A student in Oakland, is producing kits that will open the doors of science to children during the Covid-19 pandemic.The kit (buy one!): https://www.kitscubed.com/impact
The young man: - Fox News, 8/18/2020 https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-teen-launches-non-profit-wants-science-kits-in-hands-of-all-kids-in-his-city
People transport food--that would otherwise rot on the farms--to feed the hungry
The Washington Post, 6/10/2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/06/10/extra-food-is-rotting-farms-while-americans-go-hungry-this-group-is-trying-fix-that/?itid=lk_inline_manual_50Two Sisters Create An Organization to Reduce Isolation of Seniors
Letters Against Isolation: https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/The Washington Post, 6/25/2020.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/25/two-sisters-wanted-lift-lonely-seniors-spirits-their-organization-has-sent-14000-letters/
High School Students Make a Difference Through Electronics Recycling
"More than 600,000 pounds of mostly electronic waste has been diverted from landfills over the past 12 years by the students who run Tiger Recycling at Cañon City High School."The Colorado Sun, 2/14/2024. https://coloradosun.com/2024/02/14/electronic-waste-recycling-canon-city-high/
Creating Homes for the Homeless
In Seattle, USA
An enduring organization continues through this difficult time to reach out with compassion and respect.
Facing Homelessness: an organization https://www.facinghomelessness.org/
The Block Project: a program https://www.the-block-project.org/host
Trickle Down Town: a movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmOl_KCzP-o
In Cambridge, England
- Positive News, 6/15/2020.
https://www.positive.news/economics/social-enterprise/the-micro-houses-tackling-homelessness-in-cambridge/
