Hello and welcome to a new edition of uplifting stories!
Supporting one another is an act of strength and compassion. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, we can be a light for each other, helping to lift burdens and spread hope.
Let’s choose to be kind, to stand together, and to nurture a community where everyone feels valued and cared for.
This week we bring you four stories that highlight the beautiful ways in which people uplift each other around the world.
- An organization provides subsidized produce to an immigrant community
- A special village offers refuge for women and children
- Girl finds a father figure in her best friend’s dad
- Equine-assisted programs enrich the lives of children with disabilities
Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Positively Uplifting Stories | September 23 2024
Rooftop farm offers immigrant community a ‘taste of home’.
Brooklyn Grange, a rooftop farm, is encouraging people to add more vegetables to their meals.
This farm works to bring fresh, organically cultivated produce to the local community at a low cost.
Their weekly subscription of fresh farm vegetables is transforming the way older Chinese Americans shop and eat. This program not only positively impacts their health but also fosters a sense of community.
“One bite of food… transports you back to being like a 5-year-old kid. I really wanted to try to capture some of that for the folks that are participants in this program to say like how great is it that they’re growing it here in Brooklyn for me,” said Dr. Stella Yi, associate professor of population Health at NYU Langone.
A special village is transforming the lives of Cambodian women.
For Cambodian women living in unsafe environments, this special village offers a ray of hope.
A women’s only community, set up by the Cambodian Children’s Fund is home to about 200 single mothers and their children from one of the most impoverished communities in Phnom Penh.
Cambodian Children’s Fund is an Australian non-profit organization providing free meals, free healthcare, and education for thousands of children.
The first-of-its-kind, this village is a safe refuge for victims of violence and abuse. Girls can live and study in peace, without the constant fear of getting harassed by men.
It features a library, classroom, communal gardens, and a pagoda as well.
“There’s a lot of violence happening around in the community and we are really vulnerable as a girl, so we don’t really have any power to defend ourselves, so it’s really good to have a group of girls living together,” said Kimly Chuon, a local resident.
Girl has a beautiful relationship with her best friend’s family.
From best friends to sisters, Ruthie Mein and Wila Davis’ relationship is a testament to the power of love and connection.
They have been friends since the second grade. Unfortunately, Ruthie’s father hasn’t been present in her life, but Wila’s family always had her back. Wila’s dad stepped into the role of a father figure for Ruthie.
Being included in Wila’s family has allowed her to feel valued and understood.
“I think having a fatherly figure in your life is very important for development and everything else,” Ruthie Mein.
Non-profit provides therapeutic riding opportunities for children and youth with disabilities.
Saddle Up gives a second chance to formerly abused horses.
The organization rehabilitates horses that have suffered from neglect. They are trained for their roles as therapy horses where they help humans overcome their own unique challenges.
Children and horses are given the opportunity to learn, work, and play together.
“I think because they know they came from a tough situation they’re willing to help others, especially when they’re getting the care and the love and the attention that they didn’t get maybe in the right way in their first life or first career,” Lindsey Wood, Director of Operations, Saddle Up.
Have a Great Week Everyone!
Hopefully, these stories remind you that there are a lot of people who care about you – even if they don’t know you. From volunteers, to charities and even just every day people going out of their way to be friendly or do something courteous – these are the small gestures that make a big difference.
Now, go forth and be kind! We’re wishing you a marvelous and positive week ahead.
