We all have gifts and talents we can use to make a lasting impact.
Committing to a purpose that is bigger than yourself can bring greater meaning, joy, and connection into your life.
Embrace a cause that calls to your heart.
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them. – Dalai Lama
This week, we bring you stories about people who are uplifting and supporting the well-being of others.
- Couple takes in high school basketball player who was left homeless
- A woman is warming hearts with her crochet skills
- A man gives rescue dogs a platform to shine
- A talk therapy program that brings mental health care to underserved communities
Positively Uplifting Stories | March 3 2025
Couple helps Senegalese teenager achieve his basketball dreams.
Ama Sow, a teenager from Senegal, has had quite a journey after arriving in the United States.
From the language barrier to the closure of his sponsorship program, he has had to face many obstacles to his dream of playing basketball in the United States.
Despite the challenges, Ama’s basketball dreams are finally coming true.
When Ama was on the brink of homelessness, Dave McComb, along with his wife, Nicole, took him in. The couple are now his legal guardians.
With the help of the McComb family, he has made huge strides in adapting to life in the US.
Next year he’ll play NCAA Division 1 basketball for the University of Tennessee at Martin.
“A family is going to be there forever. They’re going to love you forever. They’re going to help you forever…That’s what I have here, I think,” said Ama.
A woman’s passion for giving back inspires community.
Jerri’s act of kindness is creating positive ripples in her community.
Jerri Rollins has donated over 160 handmade blankets and hats to newborns at Benefis Health System.
The gratitude she receives from recipients makes it a rewarding journey for her.
She began using her crocheting talents to give back to others after the community stepped up to help her family when her daughter experienced a serious accident.
“You can see just the belly laughs, the love, and the care that just oozes out of Jerry is authentic and, you just know that she is truly giving from the heart,” said Bekki Hashley, a development specialist at the Benefis Health System Foundation.
Man makes a significant impact on the lives of rescue dogs.
Bill Berloni is an award-winning animal trainer who works exclusively with rescue dogs. He turns rescue dogs from a shelter, humane society, or rescue league into stars of the stage.
Since 1976 Bill has worked with between 200-300 dogs!
“These are the original method actors because you’re on stage and they’re in the moment,” said Bill.
The dogs, who otherwise would have been put to sleep get a second chance at a thriving life.
Once their theatrical careers are over, the dogs enjoy a peaceful retirement on Bill’s farm in Connecticut.
Grandmothers act as community health workers to provide trusted support.
Dr. Dixon Chibanda is a psychiatrist based in Harare, Zimbabwe. He created a program called ‘The Friendship Bench’ to make mental health care more accessible for people in underserved communities.
This community-based initiative trains grandmothers to serve as “first responders” for those seeking mental health assistance.
The older listeners create a nonjudgmental space for people to tell their stories and open up about the challenges they are facing.
The program aims to bridge the mental health treatment gap by leveraging compassion, and accessibility.
“The natural abilities that come with having a long-lived life on the planet. They’ve seen a lot. They’ve experienced a lot. They have, you know, the battle scars of life, which they bring to the bench. All we’re doing as Friendship Bench is helping them to use those stories, those experiences, to help others,” said Dr. Dixon.
Have a Wonderful Week Everyone!
We hope that these stories will inspire you for the week ahead!
As always, send us your uplifting stories! You can message us in the comments below, or DM us on our Instagram page. We’re always looking for more tales of kindness to share with our readers.
