Community

Do good while holiday shopping with Caring’s 2023 Gift Guide

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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…
How to be a supportive neighbor

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…
How to be a welcoming neighbor

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…
How to be a helpful neighbor

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…
How to be a caring neighbor

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),…
Female Friends Happy with Arms Around Each Other

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…
Man and Young Girl Volunteer Bellringers

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,…
Food at Salvation Army Food Pantry

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 Crew Backpack Closeup

‘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…
Naomi Lambert and family

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.”…
Family Holding Hands Walking Through Field

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…
Thomas Ferraro in VISTA Uniform

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.       …
Overhead View of Open Picnic Basket

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…
Female Friends Hugging and Smiling Around Bride

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…
Female Graduate in Red Cap and Gown Walking Down Street

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…
Christin Thieme, Her Mother, and Christin's young son pose for holiday photo

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…
Officer and woman smiling with each other

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…
Damage caused by Paradise Fire

What it’s like to survive unexpected homelessness

California fire survivors begin to rebuild. Amber McErquiaga woke up in her home in Paradise, California, on Nov.…
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

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…
Hands holding change with note that says make a change

The importance of taking initiative

The key to making change happen in all aspects of life is by taking the initiative to do…
Sign that says love in all capital letters

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…
Closeup of sparkler at night

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…
Closeup of present with recyclable wrapping paper

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…
Three coffee cups on wooden table

Coffee connects cops and community

Event facilitates understanding, growth. When Portland Tabernacle Corps Officer Lt. Laura Fyn walks through the Rose Center for…
Cathy Heying headshot

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…
Man in sweatshirt sleeping on cardboard on the street

The diagnosis is poverty

A growing model contends that poverty isn’t something to simply “rise above” any more than exposure to lead…
Man and woman smiling at each other

Missing person no more

The Salvation Army helped reunite a sister with the brother she didn’t know existed. After her mother’s death…
Older woman smiling inside her home

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…
closeup of red ornaments on Christmas Tree

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…
man sitting by window next to Christmas tree

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…
Desserts on wooden table

Embracing Thanksgiving traditions with your family

To this day, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. A big part of the reason why is…
Single table setting on white table cloth in front of candles

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…
elderly couple sitting on porch

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…
toddler in purple dress playing

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 —…
couch with table and plants inside room

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…
Woman sitting on couch next to flowers

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

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…
woman taking selfie with friends

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…
Husband and wife with child outsdie

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…
boxes of items to be donated

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…
Man in suit standing in front of 40 under 40 poster

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…
Three young women smiling with each other

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…
child feeding small animals outside

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…
hands holding candle

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…
person painting fence

9 habits of highly successful volunteers

How you can strive to make the most impact when giving back To be successful at something like…
woman laying with eyes closed next to leaves

Can we train for compassion?

Researchers wanted to determine two things: After the training, would participants’ behavior become more altruistic? Would their brains…
Man washing hands outside

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…
Police Officer saluting from behind

Promoting faith and justice

The Salvation Army in Phoenix partners with law enforcement to make their community safer through understanding and prayer.…
Two cups of coffee on table

Finding freedom in engaging with others

I was raised in West New York, New Jersey, one of the most densely populated municipalities in the…
group sitting together in city park

Called to community

We long for unity, but what does that really look like and how do we find it? What…
hands holding cup and plate

Rethinking the warm reception

Sunday evening knocks on our door and we welcome with the warmth of an open hug and an…
mother reading to child

Integrating culture in parenting

What is your cultural identity? For most of us, the ideas that shape our cultural identities stem from…
EDS worker from behind

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…
Staffer and resident hugging

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…
girl holding cup being filled with water

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…
Pie on table

The future of tradition

Our traditions connect us and cause us to remember Every year on Christmas Eve I am inevitably up…
Flowers in vase on stool

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…
Red metal design

Reviving Strawberry Field

Let me take you down, ’cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real and nothing to get hung…
Person holding Bible outside

Building a more inclusive church

It works from the inside out.    It starts with a simple question. “One of the first things…
Three women laughing together

How to find a new community

Your willingness to be open and vulnerable can be a major help. At some point in our lives…
People sitting together outside

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…
Table with chairs around it by window

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…
Fractured American Flag graphic

Deciphering the divide

Race remains an issue in America. Black and white Americans are still deeply divided when it comes to…
Child holding camera by pond

Firming up fatherhood

The Salvation Army and the National Louis University partner to research methods for strengthening the paternal role in…
Rendering of empowerment center in Ferguson

Empowerment center to open in Ferguson

Construction is underway where a QuikTrip convenience store was looted and set afire on Aug. 10, 2014, the…
Woman smiling with jean jacket and glasses

Drafted

A community embraces a reluctant champion.   When I accepted God’s invitation to join his work in St.…
human network diagram

Share and share alike

New research into the sharing economy illustrates how companies can better serve the underserved. It’s easy to see…
Child in red jacket jumping outside

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…
Four men outside with chainsaws

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…
Brickwall

Responding to racism

Islamophobia is on the rise, with media attention specifically highlighting the situation in European countries such as Britain…
Mother and son smiling with each other in Salvation Army shirts

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,…
Two young women standing with young man

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…
boat with USA flag on back

#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…
Person with gym bag standing outside Olympic building

Without a flag of their own

Are you watching the Olympics this summer? As athletes from around the world prepare to kick off the…
house with wood walkway leading up to it at night

Home

We put the building blocks of life together in the home. There, we carefully initiate the process of…
Grand Park in Los Angeles (Photo by John McCoy)

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…
Young children standing in line outside holding clothes

Rags to resources

Youme Clothing has a collaborative, repurposing approach to affect community growth and international connection. Hepburn’s words describe the…

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…
children with arms around each other

Compassionate relationships

I’ve heard it said that The Salvation Army is “compassion in action.” I think it fits and makes…
Outside view of houses

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…
University Project seal

The University Project

While in Ecuador, Amy Morrison, Kevin Wilkinson, and Gianna Persico, missionaries from Downey First Christian Church, met Ismael,…
close up of bellringer apron and bell

Everyday people

The little pigtailed girl thinks he’s Santa Claus. As he waves and smiles from behind a wavy gray…
Child smiling mothers lap

Empowering community

Program has reached more than 5,800 women in India Northern Territory There are around 488 self help groups…
person walking by book shelves

Bringing together community

Harvestfield was recently described as a “spiritual mini Ikea” and that is truly our hope––a department store that…
Officer with woman on street

Image to awareness

Costa Rica social media campaign highlights ‘the forgotten.’   Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,…
Salvation Army Officers serving food in Japan

The strength of ‘kizuna’

In Japanese, ‘kizuna’ means a “bond of friendship.” Born of adversity in Onagawa, Japan, kizuna has emerged between…
Silhouette on construction site

‘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…
Flowers blooming

Aquaponics in Anaheim

Descending a flight of stairs in The Anaheim (Calif.,) Praiseworks Corps Community Center, we approach a locked door.…
Women holding bags by Salvonista van

Salvonista pop-up store

At first glance, the Salvonista Mobile Boutique appears to be an ordinary van, but a closer inspection reveals…
Salvation Army Officer looks over damage

Salvation Army on the ground in Oklahoma

Estimated at over two miles wide, a devastating tornado with winds up to 200 mph struck just south…

A beautiful city

ReCreate Cafe revitalizes its community It’s not often that people who are homeless get a round of applause.…
KROC center

How it all came together

When Debi and I were appointed as divisional leaders in San Diego in February 1998, we immediately took…
Red scooter parked

Love as the cornerstone

I spent a number of recent days in the hospital. Not for myself, but to support someone whom…
Joan Kroc with granddaughter Amanda sitting down

My grandma’s love

Joan Kroc’s granddaughter shares a personal letter from her grandma. I am extremely proud to express my love…
Ribbon cutting in Hawaii at Kroc Center

Aloha, Kroc

Somewhere over the rainbow, in the unincorporated and developing community of Kapolei, Hawaii, a $133 million Salvation Army…
sunset behind mountains

‘Apologies Due’ revisited

Following an online apology, a dedication to connecting with every responding individual ensued. During the summer, Carolyn and…
row of houses

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…