10 ways to love your neighbor this Valentine’s Day
It’s impossible not to notice the sea of pink and red flooding our stores and the sudden competition…
24 good things that happened in 2024
Welcome to Caring’s roundup of our favorite good things that happened this year. These stories took us around…
Do good while holiday shopping with Caring’s 2023 Gift Guide
Want to give back to your community this holiday season, but feeling pressed for time or inspiration? During…
How to do good on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a worldwide phenomenon that can have a wonderful and positive impact. Are you ready to…
How to make a difference during the holidays in the U.S.
The holidays are meant to be a time of love, laughter and joy, but that isn’t true for…
How to help others this holiday season
Every year, people around the world celebrate the holiday season. It is a time when we can celebrate…
How to do good on World Kindness Day
Are you looking to celebrate World Kindness Day this November? Being kind can improve the lives of those…
3 friendship philosophies that are saving my life right now
An excerpt from The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs We learned most of our friendship habits…
How to love your community in each love language this Valentine’s Day
Do you know your love language? Family counselor and best-selling author Dr. Gary Chapman believes by understanding the…
Do Good Family Roadmap: Be a supportive neighbor
As kids, our two favorite shows were “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Both shows invited us into…
Do Good Family Roadmap: Be a welcoming neighbor
As kids, our two favorite shows were “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Both shows invited us into…
Do Good Family Roadmap: Be a helpful neighbor
As kids, our two favorite shows were “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Both shows invited us into…
Do Good Family Roadmap: Be a caring neighbor
As kids, our two favorite shows were “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Both shows invited us into…
4 lies about friendship that I almost fell for
I don’t know about you, but I feel like we’ve been told a whole lot of lies and…
Reading the times: A literary and theological inquiry into the news
Looking at some exemplars might help us envision what a healthy interplay between media and community can look…
5 moments not to miss in the 2021 Caring Hero Awards
If you’ve kept an eye on any of the longer-than-usual lead up to the Summer Olympics, you’ve seen…
Do you have ‘the joy switch’?
Have you ever lost it—at a time when things were humming along for you? You were feeling good—until…
Why you need to get out of your bubble
Our hearts have been designed for the kind of kinship and connection that can only come from being…
Tech program is helping seniors participate in life online
Like other older adults, Jeanie Lemaire, 70, didn’t grow up using computers and mobile phones. She recognizes the…
How to be a social media peacemaker
By Douglas S. Bursch– We are called to be peacemakers. However, if our actions are not thoughtful and…
Nominate your Caring Hero
Help us recognize and reward the heroes who are making an impact right where they are. This awards…
During a challenging year, moms find support in Caring Facebook group
The Facebook group is 120 members strong and counting. “I cry or want to cry almost daily.” “Most…
How to join the International Women’s Day conversation
It’s #InternationalWomensDay—a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women that’s been celebrated for…
Celebrating Salvation Army voices this Black History Month
Every year in America, Black History Month celebrates the achievements of African Americans and recognizes their role in…
6 simple ways to teach your kids about giving
“I want…” These words are among the first that many children speak when they’re learning to put sentences…
Is anger an appropriate response to power?
Establishing rules and policies, setting agendas, hearing grievances and settling disputes are all proper roles of those in…
How to prepare children to go back to school during COVID-19
Going back to school can be a challenge for many students. But this year, more than ever, kids…
Reconnecting with the real world in the digital age
Well before the coronavirus pandemic, it was easy to get absorbed by our mobile devices, social media and…
How singing brings us together during COVID-19
While social distancing has kept people physically apart during the COVID-19 pandemic, music continues to build community. Whether…
Meet The Helpers: Sarah Bentley created a support line for seniors to call any time
If you’re an older adult, living alone, you can imagine the stress that comes with the coronavirus pandemic,…
Meet The Helpers: Karin Ingrande holds outdoor balcony concerts to engage seniors
We’ve all been told to stay home to do our part to flatten the curve, but that can…
Low-cost ways you can help during the pandemic
With much of the country sheltering in place, keeping a sense of community has become increasingly difficult. Yet,…
If you feel alone, call The Salvation Army
A message from Territorial Commander Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder: Social distancing, the loss of income and livelihood, the…
How people are showing great kindness in crisis
“No man is an island,” 16th century English scholar and poet John Donne once wrote. And now the…
10 good news stories to read today
It’s hard to escape the news these days—news that can feel heavy, dark and uncertain as the coronavirus…
How to show kindness in turbulent times
We’re living in turbulent times. COVID-19 has taken the world by storm—according to the World Health Organization (WHO),…
The best ways to encourage friends, based on their love language
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I…
A tip for better expressing each of the 5 love languages with Dr. Gary Chapman
Americans are not living happily ever after. According to a study by the University of Chicago, about 60…
This family teaches philanthropy through bellringing
The Fie family legacy of service to The Salvation Army spans more than 60 years and is still…
How to volunteer as a Salvation Army bellringer
When you drop a dollar (or more!) into a Salvation Army kettle, that money helps fund programs in…
A wedding marked by a village of love
My best friend (and maid of honor) sent me an email while I was wedding planning that really…
New book features 100 faces of The Salvation Army
As The Salvation Army Western Territory is set to celebrate the centennial of its official formation in 2020,…
Why I love working in social services
I believe one of the most rewarding and interesting career fields is social work—the opportunity to understand people,…
‘Brew Crews’ bring coffee and love
The Salvation Army has a street outreach centered around coffee: the “Brew Crew.” These teams of those in…
How to stay connected with family when they’re far away
I was 22 years old when I moved away from my home state of California and ventured south…
My heartbreak led to a global kindness movement
“The chances of you conceiving naturally are non-existent. The chance of us successfully harvesting eggs is also minimal.”…
How to juggle work and spending quality time with your kids
I went back to work when my daughter was just six weeks old. And although I loved my…
Retired reporter goes back to work as a Volunteer in Service to America
VISTA, the half-century-old national service program dubbed “The Domestic Peace Corps,” fights poverty in America. …
How to pack for a summer picnic with thrift store finds
With summer right around the corner, it’s finally time to say goodbye to the frigid winter and spring…
3 Strategies for maintaining friendships in adulthood
When I was a kid, I remember how easy it was for me to make friends and keep…
8 Books to inspire graduates to live the good life
If you’ve ever graduated, you’ve probably heard excerpts from Dr. Seuss’ book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”—famous lines…
How to honor Memorial Day on your day off
As we head into Memorial Day, it’s easy to get caught up in the anticipation of the three-day…
9 tips for being present over long holiday weekends
Memorial Day functions as our traditional summer kick-off. It’s when we start up the grill, smoker or BBQ…
What it’s really like to be married to a soldier
When my husband, Erik, joined the military, I didn’t know what to expect. We had dated for several…
Mom’s an alien?
I grew up in a border town in Arizona and my family would regularly drive to Mexico to…
5 things I’m modeling after my mother as a new mom
They say nothing changes you like having a child of your own and I have found this to…
4 valuable traits we can learn from military children
Most military kids face more challenges in their childhood than many adults do in a lifetime—and they go…
How to heal homelessness through community
‘Unprecedented’ effect of temporary shelter keeps doors open When you arrive at The Salvation Army-run homeless shelter in…
PB&J ministry provides weekly touchpoint for people on streets of paradise
A sandwich ministry provides a weekly touchpoint for people living on the streets around Aala Park in Honolulu’s…
Working toward #BalanceForBetter this International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day celebrates women, their achievements and encourages progress every year on March 8. This year’s theme…
The importance of taking initiative
The key to making change happen in all aspects of life is by taking the initiative to do…
7 ways to show love to strangers
As Valentine’s Day approaches, many of us start thinking of creative and thoughtful ways to express our love…
10 ways to spread positivity in 2019
In a time when negativity surrounds us, it’s important to spread positivity and be the light for others…
5 things to keep in mind when setting New Year’s resolutions
This year is coming to a close, and 2019 is right around the corner — which, for many…
Ways to gift consciously this holiday season
In the season of gifting, it’s tempting to visit online shops and stores for the cheapest deals on…
Coffee connects cops and community
Event facilitates understanding, growth. When Portland Tabernacle Corps Officer Lt. Laura Fyn walks through the Rose Center for…
Meet the mechanic who won’t overcharge you
The role of reliable transportation in fostering economic mobility can’t be overstated. At some point, many people hit…
The diagnosis is poverty
A growing model contends that poverty isn’t something to simply “rise above” any more than exposure to lead…
Missing person no more
The Salvation Army helped reunite a sister with the brother she didn’t know existed. After her mother’s death…
Uber grant helps shuttle Alaska seniors
Seniors are the fastest growing segment of Alaska’s population and many need a ride. It had almost become…
Embracing the Christmas spirit of connectedness
There’s something about Christmas that brings people together — families, friends and even people who don’t know each…
A letter to those who feel lonely during the holidays
Dear (insert your name here), So, I heard you don’t have the holiday spirit. You walk around, bombarded…
Embracing Thanksgiving traditions with your family
To this day, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. A big part of the reason why is…
How to host a festive Friendsgiving
I don’t know about you, but the holiday season is what I wait for all year. It’s a…
How to build relationships with your local community
Loving our local community is something attainable, at the tip of our fingers, and yet, something we always…
3 Important lessons learned from raising a toddler
Just like that, my daughter, Emma, reached the prime of her toddlerhood and turned two years old —…
How to be a good roommate and live together well
One of the greatest gifts and challenges of life is doing life with one another. Depending on your…
The science of making friends as an adult
We search for soul mates, why not best friends? I hit my social peak at 5 years old.…
3 ways parents can encourage other parents
It’s common to hit hurdles at every stage of parenting that can be discouraging, whether that be dealing…
Capturing life and improving it
Research finds taking and sharing pictures can enhance wellbeing. For something touted as a simple, modern way to…
Meeting people where they are
Facing geographical challenges, Lts. Aaron and Meagan Ruff launched a Bible study on Facebook. Lts. Aaron and Meagan…
5 ways to stay organized as a family when life gets busy
One of the biggest obstacles I face as a parent is staying organized, especially on days when my…
The Salvation Army sends kids home with meals to avoid hunger away from school
Imagine seeing a child in the dumpster behind school looking for food to take home to her family…
The ABCs of Gens X, Y and Z
“The young man pities his elders, fearing the day he, too, will join their ranks. The elderly man…
How to show your love on Mother’s Day
A mother is the first person who showed us love. How? By caring for us nine months before…
How to extend an invitation to church
Let’s ask ourselves when the last time we extended an invitation to an unbelieving friend to come to…
4 ways to volunteer with your kids
The benefits of volunteering are endless at any age. But for children, giving back to the community can…
How to make the most out of volunteering
To be a volunteer is to be a giver of good things, of life, of shared burdens. To…
9 habits of highly successful volunteers
How you can strive to make the most impact when giving back To be successful at something like…
Can we train for compassion?
Researchers wanted to determine two things: After the training, would participants’ behavior become more altruistic? Would their brains…
Salvation Army helps battle San Diego’s Hepatitis A outbreak
Vaccination clinics, hand-washing stations and outreach events are part of a coordinated effort to contain the deadly disease.…
How to really hear someone in a time of polarization
“It is easy to become overly invested in conveying our viewpoint—and when that happens, we stop listening.” Here…
Promoting faith and justice
The Salvation Army in Phoenix partners with law enforcement to make their community safer through understanding and prayer.…
Finding freedom in engaging with others
I was raised in West New York, New Jersey, one of the most densely populated municipalities in the…
Called to community
We long for unity, but what does that really look like and how do we find it? What…
Rethinking the warm reception
Sunday evening knocks on our door and we welcome with the warmth of an open hug and an…
Integrating culture in parenting
What is your cultural identity? For most of us, the ideas that shape our cultural identities stem from…
The lessons disaster brings
Two of the biggest natural disasters ever struck back-to-back—delivering a host of obstacles and shedding some light on…
Serving newcomers, asylum seekers stalled at Mexican border
A Baja California shelter opened to serve Mexican nationals at risk of trafficking, but it’s become a safe…
Clean water flows from well of good will
A pledge to solve human need without discrimination has put The Salvation Army up against a killer disease…
How to nail your Christmas shopping this season
For a lot of us, Christmas shopping is a mixed bag—literally and figuratively. It can feel like it’s…
I was a refugee
I was born in Cuba, on the cusp of communism. Both of my parents were Cuban, and except…
The future of tradition
Our traditions connect us and cause us to remember Every year on Christmas Eve I am inevitably up…
Why comparison is stealing your joy
We’re quick to forget we aren’t getting the full story. Comparison eats up energy, peace and creativity—all things…
Reviving Strawberry Field
Let me take you down, ’cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real and nothing to get hung…
Our precious children
“Whoever receives a little child because of Me receives Me” (Matt. 18:5 NLV). The Salvation Army is known…
Building a more inclusive church
It works from the inside out. It starts with a simple question. “One of the first things…
How to find a new community
Your willingness to be open and vulnerable can be a major help. At some point in our lives…
Why community over competition is more than a popular hashtag
The idea of community is greater than competition. It’s easy to get caught up in the fear of…
Making room at your table
I’m not always comfortable with group events, and nine times out of 10 I’ll choose being home and…
4 tips to committing to ethical shopping
The little things you can do to combat human trafficking in the fashion industry can make a big…
Deciphering the divide
Race remains an issue in America. Black and white Americans are still deeply divided when it comes to…
Firming up fatherhood
The Salvation Army and the National Louis University partner to research methods for strengthening the paternal role in…
Empowerment center to open in Ferguson
Construction is underway where a QuikTrip convenience store was looted and set afire on Aug. 10, 2014, the…
Drafted
A community embraces a reluctant champion. When I accepted God’s invitation to join his work in St.…
Share and share alike
New research into the sharing economy illustrates how companies can better serve the underserved. It’s easy to see…
Kid-friendly ways to celebrate Christmas
Host a Christmas camp-out. Bring out your sleeping bags and set up in the living room for a…
Trees turn to heat
“It’s firewood, but to them it’s gold.” – Lt. Kevin Pope, former Coos Bay Corps Officer The City…
Authentic influence
Are you authentically expressing your requests? Are you authentically fulfilling your promises? It is only through our interdependence…
Responding to racism
Islamophobia is on the rise, with media attention specifically highlighting the situation in European countries such as Britain…
Raising volunteers
Starting early makes a child more likely to give back later. Getting an early start on volunteering…
How to be a kind traveler
As a multi-trillion-dollar industry, travel and tourism has become one of the biggest players in the global economy,…
How to make friends and create your own community
When I was young, my father was a petty officer in the US Navy. Every few years, no…
#Refugees welcome | responding to fear and guilt with faith and hope
If you are like me, you are listening and watching the reports of the world’s worst refugee crisis…
On neutral ground
It seems that there is a new story each week about the tensions between “black lives” and “blue…
Without a flag of their own
Are you watching the Olympics this summer? As athletes from around the world prepare to kick off the…
Home
We put the building blocks of life together in the home. There, we carefully initiate the process of…
Advancing Good: Editor’s Note
“What greater bliss than to look back on days spent in usefulness, in doing good to those around…
Can we build a better Los Angeles by 2050?
The role of community feedback in cultivating a more sustainable future What does your vision of a better…
Rags to resources
Youme Clothing has a collaborative, repurposing approach to affect community growth and international connection. Hepburn’s words describe the…
A lemonade stand like no other
At 4, Alex made it her mission to end childhood cancer. In 1996, Jay and Liz Scott joined…
Editor’s Note
Since 1943, we’ve accepted that people are motivated to achieve certain needs, moving on to the next only…
Jail alternatives
Salvation Army becomes home for low-level inmates in Modesto More than 60 percent of inmates released from California…
I Beg to Differ: Navigating Difficult Conversations With Truth And Love
At a point in time when civility both within and outside of the community of faith appears at…
Compassionate relationships
I’ve heard it said that The Salvation Army is “compassion in action.” I think it fits and makes…
As American family changes, mission to help remains
By Sarah Parvini – In her 16 years of service at The Salvation Army, Ana Aguirre has seen…
The Salvation Army’s Bed and Breakfast
In Angoon, Alaska, there’s only one place to stay Most afternoons, Angoon, Alaska, Corps Officers Majors John and…
The University Project
While in Ecuador, Amy Morrison, Kevin Wilkinson, and Gianna Persico, missionaries from Downey First Christian Church, met Ismael,…
Everyday people
The little pigtailed girl thinks he’s Santa Claus. As he waves and smiles from behind a wavy gray…
Empowering community
Program has reached more than 5,800 women in India Northern Territory There are around 488 self help groups…
Bringing together community
Harvestfield was recently described as a “spiritual mini Ikea” and that is truly our hope––a department store that…
Image to awareness
Costa Rica social media campaign highlights ‘the forgotten.’ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,…
The strength of ‘kizuna’
In Japanese, ‘kizuna’ means a “bond of friendship.” Born of adversity in Onagawa, Japan, kizuna has emerged between…
‘Will work for humanity’
It’s a small world. Isn’t it? We’re an interconnected and even interdependent transnational society. Communication is as easy…
Aquaponics in Anaheim
Descending a flight of stairs in The Anaheim (Calif.,) Praiseworks Corps Community Center, we approach a locked door.…
Salvonista pop-up store
At first glance, the Salvonista Mobile Boutique appears to be an ordinary van, but a closer inspection reveals…
A beautiful city
ReCreate Cafe revitalizes its community It’s not often that people who are homeless get a round of applause.…
How it all came together
When Debi and I were appointed as divisional leaders in San Diego in February 1998, we immediately took…
Love as the cornerstone
I spent a number of recent days in the hospital. Not for myself, but to support someone whom…
A Prescott soldier’s life of service
By Sandy Moss Eighty-nine-year-old Earl Melvin Richwine has a bad knee, one hearing aid and walks with a…
My grandma’s love
Joan Kroc’s granddaughter shares a personal letter from her grandma. I am extremely proud to express my love…
Aloha, Kroc
Somewhere over the rainbow, in the unincorporated and developing community of Kapolei, Hawaii, a $133 million Salvation Army…
Twice a mother: Reflections on Catherine Booth at Mother’s Day
By Roger Green, Ph.D., D.D. She was born Catherine Mumford on January 17, 1829. Her mother and father were…
‘Apologies Due’ revisited
Following an online apology, a dedication to connecting with every responding individual ensued. During the summer, Carolyn and…
2011/ TRAILBLAZERS
This annual award is presented by New Frontier Publications to recognize those who serve with The Salvation Army…
Splintered reality; renewed dreams
EnviRenew rebuilds in New Orleans Shumeca Chadwick left for work on August 29, 2005, at 5 a.m. Wearing blue with badge…