“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” —Dalai Lama
Social Compassion
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Social Compassion •
“Each of us has the ability to create a kinder, more livable, better world.” —Jonathan Sprout
Supporting And Creating Community
Communitas is the degree of togetherness, solidarity, and spirit in a community. One of the best and simplest ways we can develop communitas is by eating together. People who frequently share meals with others live happier and more meaningful lives.
Bryn Gweled is a collectively owned 240-acre wooded oasis near Philadelphia. It’s home to about 75 families who live in privately owned houses. Once a month, members gather to cooperatively conduct the community’s business. They work, share a meal, and nurture friendships that for many have lasted decades. Wherever you live, we hope you’ll encourage communitas in your community.
An intentional community is a planned residential community designed from the start to have a high degree of social cohesion and teamwork. The members of an intentional community typically hold a common social, political, religious, or spiritual vision and often follow an alternative lifestyle. They typically share responsibilities and resources.
Here are some excellent resources for more information on how you can help to create and support community in our world.
The intent of the Sustainable Community Network is to pool information on sustainability to make it more readily accessible to the public.
A community in the truest sense, Bryn Gweled is made up of a diverse group of people who share a vision of a way of life. In fact the name itself, “Bryn Gweled” means “Hill of Vision.” We are an intentional community of folks, young and old, who have chosen to live together on our wooded oasis and work cooperatively to maintain the place we call home.
The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) has over 35 years of partnership with hundreds of intentional communities around the world. At a time when people are desperate for more social connection and answers to complex problems, intentional communities offer hope in an increasingly broken world.
From tree house villages in Costa Rica to yoga communes in Hawaii, these 10 intentional communities are havens of peace, creativity and sustainability.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”—Helen Keller
Courage - Supporting Gender Equality
"The best protection any woman can have... is courage." —Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Since the dawn of western civilization, women have been treated as second class citizens. In America, a woman of color is paid 63 cents for an hour of the same work the average white male is paid. In America, even though our principles are founded on liberty and individual freedoms, it took almost 150 years before women could vote. Still today in the United States, in many ways, women are not treated equally. Only a hundred years ago, a woman risked going to jail, losing her children, and experiencing physical violence just to declare her right to vote.
The women who confidently risk it all for the simple God-given right to be treated as equal are the definition of courage.
Here are some excellent resources for more information on how you can help to create and support women’s rights in our world.
United States House of Representatives website featuring a history of the women’s rights movement.
Women’s Rights National Historic Park in NY State: The 1848 Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention marked the beginning of the women's rights movement in the United States. The Convention recruited supporters and included many action steps to advance the movement.
The American Civil Liberties Union: Gender bias continues to create huge barriers for many women. Ongoing struggles include ensuring equal economic opportunities, educational equity, and an end to gender-based violence.
Planned Parenthood remains a trusted provider of reproductive health care. They promote the ability of all individuals to lead fulfilled lives, build healthy families, and make informed decisions through high-quality health services, education, and advocacy.
Suffragette City 100 is a non-partisan multimedia historic timeline countdown. It celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment by retelling the epic saga of the 144 year fight for the women's right to vote from 1776 to 1920, and its intertwining with the abolitionist movement as well as advancing the causes of civil, labor, and human rights.
Here’s a great guide on the 19th Amendment and the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
The Harriet Tubman Museum building is located on a block that anti-slavery activists called home in Cape May, New Jersey. Lafayette Street and Franklin Street became a center of abolitionist activity centered around three important buildings developed in 1846. Harriet Tubman lived in Cape May in the early 1850s, working to help fund her missions to guide enslaved people to freedom.
Online since 2013, here’s an unofficial clearing house for suffrage information.
The official site commemorating 100 years of women’s right to vote.
Suffrage100MA is dedicated to commemorating the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex.
Monumental Women was officially created as an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization in 2014 with the initial goal of breaking the bronze ceiling and creating the first statue of real women in Central Park’s 166-year history. The Park has statues of Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose, Juliet with Romeo, witches, nymphs, and angels – but no real women…until now. Their monument of Women’s Rights Pioneers Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were unveiled on August 26, 2020.
“Take a Ride” is a wonderful song about Harriet Tubman by Jonathan Sprout and Dave Kinnoin
National Women’s History Museum has a mission to tell the stories of women who transformed the United States. Their goal is to become the first museum in any nation’s capital to show the full scope of the history of its women. Together, we can build a physical space to experience, understand, and amplify the pivotal role women play throughout history.
Women’s History Month - The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway - Experience Tubman’s story through the road trip known as the Tubman Byway. This self-guided, scenic driving tour includes more than 30 sites, many of them with outdoor markers or interpretive signs that share the story of that place, and winds for 125 miles through Dorchester and Caroline Counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore before continuing another 98 miles into Delaware and ending in Philadelphia, where Tubman first found freedom.
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It seeks to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters.
Here’s information about women’s rights in America, an important movement in women’s history.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park - The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center houses permanent exhibits, a film, restrooms, a museum store, an information desk, and a research library, and it serves as the park’s primary visitor destination. Its design concept, “The View North,” symbolizes the importance of moving northward, away from slavery and into the possibilities of freedom; a quiet, open legacy garden offers walking paths for meditation and reflection.
“I had rather… make history than write it. —Susan B. Anthony
"Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn't make sense not to use both." —Jeannette Rankin
"I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality." —Alice Paul
“On average, women do seven years more of unpaid work than men over their lifetimes.”
“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.”—Susan B. Anthony
Doctor - Elizabeth Blackwell
(from Jonathan Sprout’s 2009 AMERICAN HEROES #3 Grammy-Nominated Album)A music video by Jonathan Sprout about Elizabeth Blackwell, first woman doctor in the United States.
Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) overcame great opposition to become the first woman doctor in America. After receiving 28 rejections from medical schools, she was accepted by Geneva Medical College, but only because it was believed her application was a joke. In spite of the prejudice she experienced, she graduated first in her class. Later, Miss Blackwell fought an uphill battle to open the first hospital staffed by women physicians and the first medical college to train women doctors. It was her dedication to creating a medical community for women, children and the poor that ultimately distinguished her as a true medical pioneer
My band (Leslie Chew, Jimmy Hammer, Dave Kinnoin, Hillary Black) and I performed this song in Los Angeles at the Grammys on January 30, 2010. What a thrill!
Here are some excellent resources for getting to know Elizabeth Blackwell.
Here’s the thoroughly-linked Wikipedia Elizabeth Blackwell page. This includes several “new” photos of her I had not seen when researching her for my 2009 album, American Heroes #3.
You can learn about “Bessie” Blackwell and the song I wrote about her at my Jonathan Sprout website.
“If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled.”
“It is not easy to be a pioneer, but, oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world.”
“The idea of winning a doctor’s degree gradually assumed the aspect of a great moral struggle, and the moral fight possessed immense attraction for me.”
“For what is done or learned by one class of women becomes, by virtue of their common womanhood, the property of all women.”
“When Elizabeth Blackwell studied medicine and put up her sign in New York, she was regarded as fair game, and was called a ‘she doctor.’ The college that had admitted her closed its doors afterward against other women; and supposed they were shut out forever. But Dr. Blackwell was a woman of fine intellect, of great personal worth and a level head. How good it was that such a woman was the first doctor! She was well equipped by study at home and abroad, and prepared to contend with prejudice and every opposing thing.”— Lucy Stone (The Progress of 50 Years, 1893)
Living A Life Of Grace
Artistic and athletic movement is a physical manifestation of grace. When we live with grace, we put our best intentions forward, hoping to recognize beauty and perfection in everything and everyone we experience.
We at Force For Good are inspired and uplifted by those who live graceful lives.
“Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.”—DALAI LAMA
In 2016, I (Jonathan Sprout) journeyed to Tibet where I was shocked to learn of the harsh treatment Tibetans have endured for decades. In the late 1940s, China invaded Tibet, destroying more than 6,000 temples. More than a million Tibetans died, many by starvation. Chairman Mao enforced the destruction of the local barley crop, replacing it with his “miracle crop”—wheat. But in high altitude Tibet (the capital Lhasa is 11,000 feet above sea level), wheat cannot grow.
When we visited important historical and religious sites in Lhasa, we were sometimes required to enter through airport-style security screening devices. Water bottles and cigarette lighters were forbidden. Why? Too many Tibetan monks had already embarrassed their invaders by dousing themselves with gasoline and lighting themselves on fire. In modern day Tibet, self-immolation is for some, the only way to meaningfully protest.
During the invasion of Tibet in 1949, many monks were murdered. Some were given the choice of death or having to abandon monastery life, forced to marry and have children. The 14th and current Dalai Lama narrowly escaped. He has since been forbidden to return. His thousands of followers pray for him daily, fearing that if this 85 year old man cannot return home before his death, the century’s old line of Dalai Lamas will be forever broken.
In spite of unimaginable trauma, this sweet, forgiving and kind man shines in our world as the embodiment of GRACE. I don’t know how he does it, but he has my respect and love. I pray that his grace will touch and soften the hearts of us all.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. — DALAI LAMA
“Grace is the spiritual energy that transforms conflict into peace, confusion into clarity, and brokenness into healing.”—Melanie Douty Snipes
Gary Zukav describes grace as “uncontaminated conscious Light.”
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”—DALAI LAMA
On June 22, 2020 the Dalai Lama wrote: “I’m 85 and physically very healthy. I feel this is because my mind is peaceful as a result of my cultivating altruism. My favorite prayer says: "For as long as space endures, And for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide, to dispel the misery of the world." And, in trying to fulfil that aspiration, I feel my life has been of some benefit.”
Here’s a History of Tibet.
Here’s information about His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.
“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
We are all born with special gifts and limitations
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”—Christopher Reeve
“When you focus on someone’s disability you’ll overlook their abilities, beauty and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally.”―Yvonne Pierre, The Day My Soul Cried: A Memoir
“If we are to achieve a richer culture, we must weave one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.”—Margaret Meade
“There is only one way to look at things, until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes.”—Pablo Picasso
Here are some excellent organizations working to promote opportunities and solutions for those with disabilities.
Variety Club Since 1935, “The Children’s Charity of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey” has continued its mission to enrich the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through social, educational, and vocational programs that nurture independence and self-confidence, and prepare them for life. Jonathan had the pleasure of filming here. This is a very special place.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation has a goal to support children with an autism spectrum disorder by providing information, education and financial assistance to their families and relevant community service organizations. Funds donated to ASDF will be used to address any and all kinds of issues in assisting children with autism and their families. By providing financial assistance to families and autism-specific organizations, together they are able to give autistic children and their families the resources they need to grow.
4 Paws for Ability strives to be the leading provider of service dogs for children, regardless of disability as well as adult children with caregiver guardianship who cannot live independently. 4 Paws assists Veterans who have given selflessly to our country by providing service dogs that can assist with disabilities on a case by case basis as well as adults living with hearing loss, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s.
Here are nine Organizations Changing the World for Special Needs Individuals and Their Families.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 17.9% of people with a disability are employed. To help level the playing field, the people at Resume Builder have created a step-by-step guide to help people with disabilities create an impactful resume that can highlight their skills and value to potential employers. This includes important insights such as laws that protect people’s rights to ensure they receive a fair chance at achieving their career goals.
Here are twelve Organizations for People with Disabilities you should know.
“What if we could think: there are no disabilities; there are simply millions of different abilities? Everyone is born with special gifts and limitations. Those who refuse to be defined by their limitations and who have the courage to face physical, emotional, and mental challenges are the people who are exceptional.” – Jonathan Sprout
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”–Theodore Roosevelt
Happiness
An Equal Opportunity In The Pursuit Of Happiness For Everyone
The most important document in America, the Declaration of Independence, claims all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” What if, instead of using “men,” the Founders had used the word people? Imagine how that could have changed history. Everyone has the right to self-determination and… happiness.
“Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.” — Oprah Winfrey
Here are some excellent resources with information on how to help everyone have an equal opportunity in their pursuit of happiness.
Thomas Jefferson, main author of the Declaration of Independence – the Jonathan Sprout page with lyrics to “What He Wrote” written by Jonathan Sprout and Dave Kinnoin
The Peace Center - is a diverse community committed to living together in Justice and Peace. Their mission is to educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent violence, promote peaceful resolution of conflict and foster inclusive, equitable and safe communities. The Peace Center is located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, US. They have been working for community peace and social justice since 1982. Their programs are designed to help reduce violence and conflict in schools, homes and communities through a multicultural, community-based approach. They are dedicated to furthering peace by understanding and managing conflict.
The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. their mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
Black Lives Matter started as a chapter-based, member-led organization whose mission was to build local power and to intervene when violence was inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. In the years since, they’ve committed to struggling together and to imagining and creating a world free of anti-Blackness, where every Black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive.
Me Too Movement supports survivor healing and community-based action to interrupt sexual violence.
The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It seeks to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters.
The Declaration of Independence Transcription - a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.
Declaration House in Philadelphia, where Thomas Jefferson resided while drafting the Declaration of Independence. In rented rooms on the second floor, Jefferson wrote his timeless defense of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and all the while attended by enslaved servant Bob Hemings.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.
Global Goals 2030 - One World: a bold commitment to eradicate poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing access to basic resources and services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate - related disasters.
“In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change — breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.”
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
“No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.”
―Alice Walker
What You Can Do To Help Create Racial and Global Harmony
If you follow “the news,” you may be tempted to believe the world is full of bad people who want to hurt each other. Actually, the world is full of well-intentioned people who simply want to get along with each other. Yes, there are Bad Guys, but our world is now safer and less violent than it’s ever been.
Beware of those who preach fear and insist on dividing us. Be suspicious of those who claim others are evil or inferior. Let us break down the barriers of fear that stand between us. Instead of looking at what makes us different, let’s focus on our mutual goals and passions. Support those who unite us, who inspire us, who bring out the best in us. Stand with those who help us live in harmony.
“Perhaps no statistic better illustrates the enduring legacy of our country’s shameful history of treating black people as sub-citizens, sub-Americans, and sub-humans than the wealth gap,” —Ta-Nehisi Coates
“There is not an American in this country who is free until every one of us is free.” —Jackie Robinson
“It is our responsibility to care for our planet. Each of us has the ability to create a kinder, more livable, better world.” — Jonathan Sprout
Here are some excellent resources for more information on how you can help to create and support racial and global harmony.
The African American Museum of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States is near and dear to our Force For Good hearts. It’s located a few miles from Jonathan’s home. Lisa and Rodney have worked with the museum in marketing, publicity, program and filmmaking arenas. In 2023, the intentional community where Jonathan lives, Bryn Gweled, hosted an event featuring director Linda Salley and others from the museum.
The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA, United States, is a diverse community committed to living together in Justice and Peace with a mission to educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent violence, promote peaceful resolution of conflict and foster inclusive, equitable and safe communities locally, nationally and worldwide. Jonathan has supported of this ground-breaking organization since the early 1980s.
The Center for Racial Harmony helps increase understanding, cooperation, and communication among all races and ethnic groups.
Racial Harmony Day, July 21, is a day in Singapore to celebrate its success as a racially harmonious nation. Most activities are organized by schools and grass root organizations, including religious groups.
The People’s Association was established on 1 July 1960 as a statutory board to promote racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore. Their mission is to build and bridge communities in achieving one people, one Singapore.
The Black Lives Matter organization promotes for freedom, liberation and justice.
The African American Museum in Washington, DC offers rich and essential African American history at this free Smithsonian museum on the National Mall.
The Martin Luther King Center prepares global citizens to create a more just, humane, and peaceful world using Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology.
Here’s a list of 54 Famous Black History Month African Americans.
Here are 20 Black History Month Activities for February and beyond.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia is the first institution built by a major United States city to house and interpret the life and work of African Americans.
The American Civil Liberties Union works to protect the rights of all.
The Center for Racial Harmony is a third party neutral organization dedicated to promoting understanding, cooperation, and communication among all races and ethnic groups.
Institute for Interracial Harmony works to help people unlearn their racism. The Institute for “Interracial” Harmony, Inc. has been in existence since 1982. Over the years they have successfully conducted many diversity seminars and forums on raising consciousness as to how racism/colorism affects all areas of people activity.
Here’s an interesting article on how to support teachers of color. Teachers of color are crucial members of the education system. It’s important to provide ongoing support for them at every stage of their careers so they can continue making positive impacts on students and advancing inclusive representation.
The National Association for Multicultural Education advocates for social justice and equity.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) works to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Caring For The Homeless
On any given night in the United States a half a million people are homeless. Some sleep in shelters, others on the streets; roughly one-quarter are children. Homelessness degrades everyone. We need a massive national commitment—public and private—to ensure affordable housing for all. Helping homeless people makes both heart and wallet sense. Helping less fortunate people become productive citizens helps reduce the financial burden of costly social services.
One Colorado study found that the average homeless person costs taxpayers $43,000 a year in shelters, emergency-room visits, and other expenses. Providing permanent housing for the same person would cost $17,000 a year.
There are many amazing people working to end homelessness. Elvis Summers is one of them. We captured some of Elvis’ grounded, insightful thinking in our film, Homeless.
Here are some excellent organizations helping the homeless.
HomeFront, one of our two February 2021 online event uplifter partners, has a mission is to end homelessness in central New Jersey, United States, by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. They lessen the immediate pain of homelessness and help families become self-sufficient, working to give clients the skills and opportunities to ensure adequate incomes, and working to increase the availability of adequate, affordable housing.
Elvis Summers’ The Tiny House Project in Los Angeles is one of our two February 2021 online event uplifter partners. Elvis is featured in our video prologue. He’s a clear-thinking, hard-working visionary. Since we met and filmed him, he’s become part of our Force For Good Family of Good Guys. We’re big fans of his work and generosity.
Outreached Arms, based in Pittsburgh, PA, provides hope to inner city homeless and working poor by serving warm meals, nurturing relationships, meeting essential needs, and sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Jonathan’s friend, Phil Berger, serves as a volunteer for this loving and well-run organization.
Here’s an effective list of Eleven Ways to Advocate for the Homeless.
Project HOME is a Philadelphia non-profit organization empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through affordable housing, employment, health care, and education.
Nevada Hopes is a safe and accepting place to access care and live well. Our Force For Good friends at Healing Healthcare Systems in Reno, NV, Dallas and Susan, contribute to Nevada Hopes, which has recently created their own marvelous array of tiny homes. This is a full service (or wrap-around) service place where people are cared for and rehabilitated on multiple levels.
Los Angeles Mission is where we filmed for some of this piece. We filmed the day before Thanksgiving. This place was surrounded with hard-working, super-generous, caring people who inspired us. Los Angeles Mission exists to provide help, hope and opportunity to men, women and children in need. Join them and help transform lives.
Covenant House provides housing and supportive services to youth facing homelessness. They help young people transform their lives and put them on a path to independence.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.
Homeless Advocacy Project provides free legal help to individuals and families who experience or face homelessness in Philadelphia.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. They believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.
Here’s a Wikipedia list of dozens of homeless organizations.
The Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter in Pennsylvania, United States, is a temporary residence for individuals and families who have lost safe and stable housing. The shelter operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It serves as approximately 75 people at any given time. About one third of the residents are children. Contributions from generous donors and the incredible effort put forth by hundreds of hard-working volunteers each year are the driving force behind the shelter. We at Force For Good were inspired to meet dedicated staff from this shelter during one of our charitable online events in 2020.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness leads the national effort to prevent and end homelessness in America. They drive action among 19 federal member agencies and foster partnerships at every level of government and with the private sector.
“People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.”—Sheila McKechnie
“Being homeless is like living in a post-apocalyptic world. You’re on the outskirts of society.”—Frank Dilane
“Homelessness is not a choice, but rather a journey that many find themselves in.”
“Most homeless kids are on the streets because they have been forced by circumstances that cause them to think that they are safer there than in any home they once knew.”
“Before you ignore another homeless person on the street, just remember that that could be someone’s father or someone’s mother and they have a story.”
“Seven out of ten Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless.”—Pras Michel
Hope: Humanity Has Always Overcome Its Darkest Hours
Hope and education are directly linked. States and countries with higher portions of citizens who have college degrees are more likely to be led by optimism and less likely to be ruled by fear. The more we know about science, history and the workings of the world, the more likely we are to feel empowered to change things for the better.
Hope stands in contrast to fear. Hope is a reflection of love and patience. Fear is a reflection of hate, dysfunction, and powerlessness. Hope looks up with optimism. Fear looks down in anger.
In this important election season, many of us seem to define ourselves by who and what we hate; by what we fear and are opposed to. But when we focus on what we don’t want, we encourage more of it. You get what you focus on whether or not you want it. Let us define ourselves by who and what we love. Let’s define ourselves by what we stand for, not by what we stand against. — Jonathan Sprout
Here are some excellent organizations working to inspire hope and change for a better world.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” —Helen Keller
The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA, United States is a diverse community committed to living together in Justice and Peace with a mission to educate, empower, and support individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent violence, promote peaceful resolution of conflict, and foster inclusive, equitable, and safe communities locally, nationally, and worldwide. Jonathan has been a supporter of this ground-breaking organization since the early 1980s.
In 2014, Jonathan and Rodney created a music video about Peacemaker and Hope-Giver Samantha Smith. In November 2024, it won First Place in a category of the My Hero International Film Festival. The story of American Hero Samantha Smith is aptly told by author Lena Nelson in her book titled America's Youngest Ambassador: The Cold War Story of Samantha Smith's Lasting Message of Peace.
Earthwatch is an international environmental charity that brings individuals from all walks of life together with world-class scientists to work for the good of the planet.
The Earth Charter is an ethical framework for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. It is a vision of hope and a call to action.
Operation HOPE Sixty-three percent of middle-income Americans say they’re unable to afford a $500 car repair or a $1,000 emergency room bill. The majority of Americans in underserved communities live without financial opportunity, many in a generational cycle of poverty. Operation HOPE is on a mission to disrupt that. HOPE Inside is their award-winning model of community uplift. They serve adults, youth, disaster survivors, and employees with financial dignity programming and coaching to equip them with the financial knowledge and tools to create a secure future.
Hispanic Organization Promoting Education is a community helping high school students succeed.
Hope for Society Foundation’s primary aim is to provide resources and opportunities for individuals to maximize their full potential, that they may be empowered to transform their lives and elevate themselves from poverty to prosperity. They build healthy, diverse, and inclusive relationships within society to foster economic development.
Hope International is motivated by the Greatest Commandment to love God, love our neighbor, and make disciples of all nations. They proclaim and live the Gospel, affirming that we all need daily bread and the Bread of Life. In fighting global poverty, they are confronting one of the greatest challenges of our day.
Bring Me Hope has a mission to provide orphans with a safe place to experience healing, be assured of their value, and be given opportunities to explore fun, new things like swimming, art, music, and field trips. After camp finishes, volunteers have been able to help some children get adopted, receive medical help, and advocate for other needs. They defend the weak and the parentless while upholding the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
“Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” —George Washington Carver
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” —Albert Einstein
“Ignore the cynics, the trolls, and the people who just have to hate. Let’s create a bold and visionary world that is not driven by fear, but inspired by hope.” —Jonathan Sprout
“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”—Nelson Mandela
Working To Eliminate Hunger In Our World
One out of every eight Americans is food-insecure, yet 40% of all food produced in the United States is wasted.
In Philadelphia, where 20% are food-insecure, Philabundance delivers food to pantries, shelters, and emergency kitchens, serving more than 90,000 people each week, 30% of whom are children. Every 50 cents donated to Philabundance pays for a meal.
At the Los Angeles Mission the day before Thanksgiving, celebrities and community leaders serve 3,500 meals to LA’s neediest residents on skid row.
Globally we’re winning the fight against hunger. In the last quarter century, the number of hungry people worldwide has fallen by more than 2,000 a day. But there are still millions who don’t know where their next meal will come from. More than 10% of the world’s population is hungry. That’s roughly 805 million people who go undernourished on a daily basis, consuming less than the recommended 2,100 calories a day. The world produces enough food to feed all 7 billion people, but those who go hungry either do not have land to grow food or money to purchase it.
There are generous and well-run organizations - like Philabundance and the Los Angeles Mission - all over the world. They need our support to help fight hunger.
For 35 years Philabundance has focused on providing emergency food in order to relieve hunger in the Philadelphia, PA, United States region. They have recently expanded their work by pursuing a bold new strategy to help End Hunger. Philabundance was kind to let us film here. Every 50 cents donated to Philabundance is translated into a meal for a food-insecure person.
Los Angeles Mission, Crossroads of Hope, based in southern California, United States, works to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by stabilizing people in a safe and spiritual environment, connecting them to solutions, and walking with them on their journey. We filmed here and used some of the footage in our Hunger and our Homeless films.
We Don’t Waste is based in Denver, Colorado, United States. Rather than sending food to the landfill, We Don’t Waste believes good food should feed people. When they save food, they protect the planet and feed people! Featured in our October 2022 newsletter!
The Feeding America network is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to connect people with food and end hunger. Donors, staff, and volunteers all play an important role in their efforts to end hunger in the United States.
The Sunday Love Project has a mission to help feed food-insecure people in Philadelphia, PA, United States. All donations, great and small, help feed those who are struggling.
Here’s a list of 10 charities that fight hunger worldwide.
Well over a billion people live in extreme poverty around the world, suffering from infectious diseases, hunger, and high infant mortality. Almost 50 million American citizens live in poverty and the number is rising. These free online resources are meant to be an aid to professionals and students dedicated to combating poverty at home and abroad.
Retire Guide has some very useful information for seniors interested in obtaining Meals on Wheels food delivery.
Food for the Poor is one of the largest international relief and development organizations in America. Their work is motivated by faith in God, spreading His unconditional love, regardless of race, wealth, or creed, ministering to the poorest of the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
Bread for the World. Have faith. End Hunger.
Meals on Wheels operates in virtually every community in America through our network of more than 5,000 independently-run local programs. While the diversity of each program's services and operations may vary based on the needs and resources of their communities, they are all committed to supporting their senior neighbors to live healthier and more nourished lives in their own homes.
Action against Hunger is one of the world’s hunger specialists whose primary goal is to create a better way to deal with hunger. For more than 40 years, they have led the global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. Teams have been on the front lines, treating and preventing malnutrition across more than 45 countries.
The Borgen Project meets with U.S. leaders to build support for life-saving legislation and effective poverty-reduction programs. They mobilize people across the globe behind efforts to make poverty a political priority. They teach basic advocacy skills that allow citizens to communicate with their government. They build awareness of global issues and innovations in poverty-reduction through our online and community presence.
“The UN estimates it would cost $265 Billion per year to end hunger worldwide. Feeding people in their country costs 1/100th of the cost of feeding them after they’ve become a refugee elsewhere.”—PBS News hour July 21, 2020
“About 50 million Americans are food insecure. One in four American children is food insecure.”—PBS News Hour, November 24, 2020
“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”—Mahatma Gandhi
“690 million people in the world are hungry – almost 9% of the entire population of the planet. Many more people could slip into hunger this year. We must make food systems more sustainable and healthy diets affordable and accessible for all.”—António Guterres, July 2020
“If you want to eliminate hunger, everybody has to be involved.”
“One of the greatest feelings in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference. Ending hunger in America is a goal that is literally within our grasp.”
“Hunger is not an issue of charity. It is an issue of justice.”
“Most of our citizenry believes that hunger only affects people who are lazy or people who are just looking for a handout, people who don’t want to work, but, sadly, that is not true. Over one-third of our hungry people are innocent children who are members of households that simply cannot provide enough food or proper nutrition. And to think of the elderly suffering from malnutrition is just too hard for most of us. Unlike Third World nations, in our country the problem is not having too little – it is about not caring enough! Write your elected representatives and promote support for the hungry.”
“If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger.”—Buzz Aldrin
Powerful - Samantha Smith, Child Peace Activist (from Jonathan Sprout’s 2014 American Heroes #4 album)
Samantha Smith (1972-1985) was a bright and expressive schoolgirl whose optimism warmed the hearts of millions around the world. At the age of 10, when the United States and the Soviet Union appeared to be on the brink of nuclear war, she wrote a letter of peace to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov. His warm response and her two-week journey to his country inspired countless Americans and Soviets to rethink their hostile views of each other. As a powerful symbol of hope and “America's youngest ambassador for peace,” she helped create an atmosphere of love, respect, and joy. Tragically, her life was cut short at the age of 13 when she and her father died in a plane crash. She taught the world an important lesson: If people try hard enough, they can get along.
Researching Samantha Smith for my American Heroes #4 album led me to Samantha’s mom, Jane Smith. She kindly corresponded with me via email, answering my questions about Samantha. I co-wrote the song with Dave Kinnoin.
A friend and former director of The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA remembers meeting Samantha in the early 1980s when she appeared as the keynote speaker at the annual Bucks County Peace Fair, in Pennsylvania, US. She recalls being so impressed with the way Samantha carried herself, she thought perhaps someday Samantha might be President of the United States.
“If we could be friends just by getting to know each other better, then what are our two countries really arguing about? Nothing could be more important than not having a war if war would kill everything.”
Here are some links to help with your deep dive into the amazing but short life of Samantha Smith.
Here’s information about Samantha Smith from at jonsprout.com website.
Wikipedia has a full Samantha Smith page.
Lena Nelson has followed Samantha’s story for a long time. Here’s her America’s Youngest Ambassador book about Samantha, published in 2023.
A year before she died, Samantha authored a book, Journey to the Soviet Union. It’s an inspiring account from a kid’s-eye view of powerful and meaningful trip.
“The people of the world seem more like people in my own neighborhood. I think they are more like me than I ever realized”
“Dear Mr. Andropov,
My name is Samantha Smith. I am 10 years old. Congratulations on your new job. I have been worrying about Russia and the United States getting into a nuclear war. Are you going to vote to have a war or not? If you aren't please tell me how you are going to help to not have a war. This question you do not have to answer, but I would like it if you would. Why do you want to conquer the world or at least our country? God made the world for us to share and take care of. Not to fight over or have one group of people own it all. Please lets do what he wanted and have everybody be happy too.” —Samantha Smith, age 10
Refuge - RESOURCES
What You Can Do To Support Those Seeking Refuge
Home is the starting place of love, hope, and dreams. Without it, we’re lost.
There are 25 million refugees in the world. (PBS News Hour 3/23/2020) – people displaced by disaster -- people who left because staying was worse than leaving everything familiar behind. “No one leaves home,” said Warsan Shire, “unless home is the mouth of a shark.”
Most of us are descendants of refugees. We’ve all felt misplaced at one time or another. “It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks,” wrote Dina Nayeri.
Sooner or later, each of us will have to count on the kindness and mercy of strangers. So, let’s not be strangers to those who seek refuge.
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Here are some excellent resources for more information on how you can support those in need of refuge.
One Small House has built 75 homes in rural Mexico, the Mississippi Delta, Haiti and Shreveport, Louisiana. Thanks to the support of donors and volunteers, they’ve been able to help countless families. And because they’re run entirely by volunteers, they’re able to promise that donations go directly towards helping these families.
The Welcoming Center believes that a steady influx of new customers, workers, and entrepreneurs can reinvigorate Pennsylvania’s aging population, renew its neighborhoods, and re-energize the economy. By making Pennsylvania a magnet for immigrants, it will become a more vibrant, creative, and dynamic competitor in today’s global economy. They work closely with government agencies, service providers, employers, business associations, trade unions, and economic development groups.
Welcoming the Stranger is an educational non-profit that offers free classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), computer skills, and United States citizenship exam preparation to adult immigrants and refugees in the Philadelphia metro region.
Friends Committee on National Legislation is a Quaker-based organization that supports compassionate and sensible immigration reform. We at Force For Good are big fans of their work.
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC) is a coalition working collectively on immigrant rights in Pennsylvania, United States.
Immigrant Rights Action of Doylestown, PA, United States documents ICE activity in our area; supports individuals, families & employers impacted by detentions & deportations; and works with recently-arrived asylum-seekers to help them secure legal representation and enroll children in school. Their volunteers provide transportation and accompaniment to legal consultations, court hearings and ICE supervision visits, while their attorney referral program and financial support from a community legal defense fund make it possible to families to quickly retain effective counsel in immigration cases.
Human Rights Watch, featured on the PBS News Hour, is a great organization that defends rights and secures justice.
Sanctuary Everywhere is the simple idea that everyday people can work together to keep each other safe. Sanctuary can mean taking someone into a congregation to protect them from deportation, but more broadly, it's about the community coming together to protect targeted communities from state violence—including immigrants, people of color, Muslims and other targeted religious groups, or LGBTQ people.
No More Deaths is a humanitarian organization dedicated to stopping the deaths of migrants in the desert.
One World is a bold commitment to eradicate poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing access to basic resources and services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate - related disasters.
The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA, United States, is a diverse community committed to living together in Justice and Peace with a mission to educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent violence, promote peaceful resolution of conflict and foster inclusive, equitable and safe communities locally, nationally and worldwide. Jonathan has been a supporter of this ground-breaking organization for nearly 40 years.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service work on behalf of all migrants and refugees to protect, embrace and empower in a world of just and welcoming communities. They stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees, transforming communities through ministries of service and justice.
The UN Refugee Agency offers emergency relief efforts, cash assistance, education, innovation, building livelihoods, and resettlement in the United States.
Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. They do not accept any government or UN funding, ensuring the independence and credibility of their work.
Warsan Shire, quoted in our film, is a British writer, poet, editor and teacher, who was born to Somali parents in Kenya. In 2013 she was awarded the inaugural Brunel University African Poetry Prize. Her words "No one leaves home unless/home is the mouth of a shark," from the poem "Conversations about Home (at a deportation center)," have been called "a rallying call for refugees and their advocates.”
Dina Nayeri, former immigrant, is the author of “The Ungrateful Refugee,” one of the most widely shared 2017 Long Reads in The Guardian.
“It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks.”—Dina Nayeri
Reverence - RESOURCES
May Peace Prevail
There are roughly 4,000 different religions. Some of them claim their beliefs are so important, they justify the killing of others, which has made religion a leading cause of war.
We’d have a more peaceful planet if our religions were more reverent. Reverence is acknowledging that we are all spiritual beings worthy of love and respect. Reverence is about seeing the divine in each person we meet. Reverence inspires gratitude and appreciation. It’s more important to be true to the compassionate spirit of Love than to the strict word of any book.
Let’s be more respectful of each other’s beliefs, with reverence.
“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.”—John Milton
“By practicing reverence for life we become good, deep, and alive.”—Albert Schweitzer
“(When) men study the human soul with sympathy, and there enters into their hearts a new reverence for that which is unseen.”—Helen Keller
“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”—Henry David Thoreau
“The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him, that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.”—Swami Vivekananda
“In general, people are more easily swayed by fear than inspired by reverence.”—Aristotle
“Let parents then bequeath to their children not riches but the spirit of reverence.”
Here are some excellent organizations that promote reverence.
The Religious Society of Friends, known as Quakers, believes the “Light of God” resides in everyone, thus, everyone has direct access to God. They sometimes define themselves more by what they do; less by what they believe. They embody faith in action in support of peace and justice.
Network of Spiritual Progressives with a mission to build a social change movement—guided by and infused with spiritual and ethical values—to transform our society to one that prioritizes and promotes the well-being of the people and the planet, as well as love, justice, peace, and compassion over money, power and profit.
“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”
Eckankar is an active, individual, creative spiritual practice, a companion and road map for your journey home—to the heights of Self-Discovery and God-Discovery, and beyond.
We are thrilled that our Reverence film/video has connected us with Bhante Budddharakkhita, Abbot of the Uganda Buddhist Center. Inspired by the Buddha’s teachings, Bhante and friends envision a world where all people are happy and peaceful. They preserve the Buddha’s teachings within the context of African culture, and exemplify the Buddhist practice through service to the public. Force For Good invites you to take action to support their activities by making a donation or taking time off to become a volunteer.
Universalist Unitarian Association are people of all ages, people of many backgrounds, and people of many beliefs. They are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. They create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world.
“Reverence is an emotion that we can nurture in our very young children, respect is an attitude that we instill in our children as they become school-agers, and responsibility is an act that we inspire in our children as they grow through the middle years and become adolescents.”
Jewish Federations: building flourishing Jewish communities in hometowns and around the world.
Here’s a list of the best Christian nonprofit organizations.
Here’s information about Buddhism.
“Just as white light consists of colored rays, so reverence for life contains all the components of ethics: love, kindliness, sympathy, empathy, peacefulness and power to forgive.”
Here’s information about Baha’i faith.
Here’s information about Islamic Organizations.
“Whoever gives reverence receives reverence.”—Rumi
Safe - RESOURCES
We All Have The Right To Be Safe
Our international friends think we Americans are crazy to have such easy access to guns.
In the UK, a mass shooting in the 1990s inspired strict gun control laws; there’s been just one mass shooting in the 22 years since.
In Australia, there was a mass shooting also in the 1990s. Laws were put into place, and there hasn’t been another mass shooting in the past 20-plus years.
It took a mass shooting in New Zealand to inspire lawmakers to tighten gun regulations.
But, in America, we have a mass shooting (an incident where four or more people are shot) every day, and our government has still not enacted similar sensible effective laws.
In the 1950s, many people thought it was madness that the US government could require people to wear seat belts. The auto industry fought this because they didn’t want to have to pay for it. Nevertheless, seat belts, air bags, and crash-resistant cars became the law. And guess what? The number of auto fatalities dramatically dropped.
Let’s work together for laws that better protect our loved ones, especially our children. We all have the right to be safe.
“I do believe that an AK-47, a machine gun, is not a sporting weapon or needed for the defense of the home.”
Here are some excellent resources with information on promoting responsible gun regulation and keeping our families and children safe.
Center For Gun Violence Solutions conducts rigorous research and uses advocacy to implement evidence-based, equitable policies and programs that will prevent gun violence in our communities.
States United Against Gun Violence was our designated charity recipient for our June 13, 2021 online event. They believe “We all have the right to be safe in our homes, schools, and communities. We have the right to live our lives and exercise our rights, free from the terror, loss, grief, and trauma caused by gun violence. States United is working toward a 50-state solution to end gun violence.”
Coalition For Peace Action works to prevent gun violence, abolish nuclear weapons and establish a peace economy using diplomacy, not war. Led by our good friend, Reverend Bob Moore, this dedicated group of activists has been on the forefront of peace and justice since the early 1980s, when Jonathan began supporting and occasionally working with them.
CeaseFirePA, also part of our June 13, 2021 online event, takes a stand against gun violence in the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Action is needed. CeaseFirePA works in communities across Pennsylvania to build support from the ground up for reforms to reduce gun violence, stop the flow of illegal guns into communities, and keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. For too long, elected officials in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania have neglected their duty to enact the commonsense reforms their constituents want.
Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence Education Fund is dedicated to ending gun violence in the American state of Delaware and nationwide through education and advocacy. Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence, Inc., their sister organization, works directly on enacting, protecting, and implementing Delaware's gun safety laws. Force For Good is proud to be involved with these uplifting organizations.
We at Force For Good admire Gabby Gifford’s courage to fight gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, their organization works to tackle America’s gun violence crisis. A safer America is possible—one where children can grow up without fear of gun violence—and that is why they’re in this fight.
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) is a 501(c)(4) organization founded in 1974. They are the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization and the affiliate organization of The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. They believe gun violence should be rare and abnormal and they pursue this goal through policy development, advocacy, community engagement, and effective training.
Brady Campaign is united against gun violence.
Friends Committee on National Legislation is a Quaker-based organization that supports sensible firearm regulation. We at Force For Good have been proud supporters for many years.
The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA, United States is a diverse community committed to living together in Justice and Peace with a mission to educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent violence, promote peaceful resolution of conflict and foster inclusive, equitable and safe communities locally, nationally and worldwide. Jonathan has been a supporter of this ground-breaking organization for nearly 40 years.
March for Our Lives has a mission to harness the power of young people across the country to fight for sensible gun violence prevention policies that save lives. During the very first march on March 24, 2018, Jonathan filmed at the Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States gathering. Footage from this event makes up most of our Safe music video.
Here is a beautiful music video by Bill Harley in tribute to gun violence victim Elijah McClain.
Community Justice Action Fund, headed by hero Greg Jackson, addresses the issue of gun violence in a holistic, sustainable, and intersectional manner. It galvanizes the power of the people most affected by the pain to inform solutions that effectively tackle the root causes of gun violence.
“When a country with less than five percent of the world’s population has nearly half of the world’s privately owned guns and makes up nearly a third of the world’s mass shootings, it’s time to stop saying guns make us safer.”
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.
Everytown Gun Safety is the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
Hunters Against Gun Violence is deeply troubled by the increase in mass shootings and generally widespread use of guns in domestic violence, suicides, and the incidental, unintended deaths due to careless use or storage of guns. They believe more gun safety regulation is needed and that such regulation is encouraged under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment. They acknowledge that new regulation may involve some inconvenience to law-abiding gun owners and that it must be part of a comprehensive approach to reduce violence in society.
Arizonans for Gun Safety. has a mission to engage individuals, organizations, and public officials from diverse communities in an Arizona, United States statewide campaign to prevent gun violence.
“The inability to pass reasonable gun safety laws after the Newtown massacre is something
that weighs heavily on my mind.”―Eric Holder
UPLIFTERS - RESOURCES
The Lifting Up Of Others
If you follow “the news” these days, it’s easy to feel discouraged. It’s not hard to feel lost by the facts of climate change, the pandemic, political upheaval, and the war in Ukraine. Despite the heartbreak we feel for the sufferings of countless innocent people, for the existential threat to our planet, there is reason to hope.
In the 1980s, 44% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty. Today, that number is less than 10%. Despite the pandemic, life has become a lot more livable for millions of people. On average, every day, somewhere in the world, about 295,000 people gain electricity for the first time. Every day, 305,000 people get clean drinking water for the first time. Every day, immunizations save around 6,800 lives. More people are safer, healthier, and longer living than ever before.
Thank God for the people lifting others up: above poverty, starvation, crisis, and neglect. Many do their lifting quietly, because they’re modest and self-motivated.
Let’s acknowledge and celebrate these people working to improve the lives of all. Their intelligence, hard work, dedication, and commitment defines them as heroes. They are the true forces for good. We at Force For Good salute all uplifters who are making the world a better place.
“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”—Paulo Coelho
“True strength is measured not by who you beat down. It is measured by who you lift up.”—Kamala Harris
“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”-–Mother Teresa
“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”—Wangari Maathai
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”—Helen Keller
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Here are some excellent organizations working to reduce the use of single-use plastic and encourage better recycling programs.
Brother’s Brother Foundation Featured in our August 2022 FFG Newsletter, Brother’s Brother Foundation helps bridge the gap between aid and sustainability by supporting localized programs and providing essential resources in the areas of Healthcare, Infrastructure, Disaster Response, and Education. Jonathan’s Peddie high school classmate, Tom Wentling is chair of the Board of Trustees, so we can vouch for their excellence and legitimacy!
The Carter Center wages peace, fights disease, and builds hope.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes all lives have equal value. They are impatient optimists working to reduce inequality.
The John Templeton Foundation has a vision to become a global catalyst for discoveries that contribute to human flourishing. Their purpose is to enable people to create lives of purpose and meaning.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is a global nongovernmental organization established in 1948 that seeks to improve public policy, inform the public, and invigorate civic life.
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards the Carnegie Medal to individuals in the United States and Canada who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Featured on 60 Minutes, this charitable organization is always accepting nominations of civilian heroes who saved or attempted to save a person in peril.
“The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”
The Obama Foundation has a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.
Horizon Empower the Orphaned is a non-profit with operations in Guatemala, Kenya, and a mission to dramatically transform the way orphaned children are cared for. They look at each child as an individual with unique needs. They develop a unique path to rescue, restore, and empower each child to a life of self-sustainability.
The Uplifting Society offers personal growth and development for youth through classroom instructions, practical exercise, and encouragement.
“A man of humanity is one who...desiring attainment for himself, helps others to attain.”
Here are three awesome companies doing lots of uplifting:
The people at Watchtower Robotics have invented a robot that travels through water pipes detecting leaks. This company finds leaks, saves water, and protects infrastructure. “We can provide 20% more water globally just by fixing leaks” because 20% of clean water is lost to leaks across the world.
CEO Erin Rothman at Storm Sensor says storm runoff is the #1 source of urban water pollution. United States cities produce 32 trillion gallons of runoff every year. She says they can fix this now by installing hundreds of low-cost sensors, analyzing where problems are, and replacing old infrastructure.
This Fish, Inc. is a leader in seafood traceability and production software that improves business efficiency and increases trust and accuracy in supply chain data. Their mission is to improve the social, environmental, and financial sustainability of the seafood industry.
“Life’s persistent and most urgent question is “What are you doing for others?”
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."—Booker T. Washington
VINYASA - RESOURCES
There Are Many Benefits To Practicing Yoga
Vinyasa has three parts: arising, abiding, and dissolving. The dissolving of one thing is the arising of the next.
The Sanskrit word vinyasa means “to place in a special way.” It means that everything is connected and the sequence of things matters. It means that every action, thought, or word that arises now is planting the seed for future fruit. “In a special way” means the unfolding of life is logical. If you plant a tomato seed, you will get a tomato. If you plant an apple seed and you wait long enough, you will get an apple tree. And if you plant a hard thought, you will get a hard heart.”—Cyndi Lee, May I Be Happy: A Memoir of Love, Yoga, and Changing My Mind
Many people shy away from yoga because they don’t think they’re flexible enough, but thinking you’re not flexible enough to do yoga is like thinking you’re too dirty to take a bath.
Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.
“Every hour of yoga we practice, we grow a day younger.”—Jonathan Sprout
“Sun salutations can energize and warm you, even on the darkest, coldest winter day.”—Carol Krucoff
“Yoga is the art work of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.”—Amit Ray
“Vogue and Self (magazines) are putting out the message of yoginis as buff and perfect. If you start doing yoga for those reasons, fine. Most people get beyond that and see that it’s much, much more.”—Patricia Walden
“I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul.”
Here are some excellent organizations and resources for starting or growing a yoga practice.
The Sat Yoga Institute continues the tradition of wisdom schools that have been the foundation of human culture for as long as there have been historic records.
The Khalsa Healing Arts Center in Yardley, PA, United States, has a vision to provide the most comprehensive personal care for everyone who comes through their doors. Each individual is treated according to needs and is supported throughout the entire healing process. We at Force For Good are big fans of Mahan Rishi and Nirba Kaur at this Khalsa Clinic.
Yoga Alliance has a responsibility of protecting and supporting members and the broader yoga community so instructors may freely practice and teach highly quality, safe, accessible, and equitable yoga free from government regulation.
VETOGA provides yoga, meditation, and healing arts to military, veterans, their families, and communities. They host free monthly yoga classes, events and veteran specific 200-Hour Teacher Trainings throughout the year.
“Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being.”
Purple Dot Yoga Project has a mission to empower and support individuals impacted by domestic violence and trauma using yoga as a healing tool.
Yogis for Positive Change, was founded in August of 2014 to serve as a rallying point and advocacy group for yogis and other peaceful warriors throughout Washington DC, United States. Their mission is to foster a sense of cooperation within the Yoga Community and encourage involvement in community service as a positive way to create societal change and mend political divides.
Yoga Outreach consists of passionate people who deliver programs and trainings, lead the organization, and build connections with the growing yoga community.
Yoga Activist, Inc. is organized to build connections between qualified yoga instructors, social service providers, government agencies and communities that have little or no access to yoga as a self-empowerment tool. This is accomplished through educating yoga instructors in appropriate ways to bring yoga to communities that include homeless, trauma survivors, at-risk youth, prison populations, and persons with drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness or physical impairment.
“You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state.”
The Yoga Activist Organization Directory offers links to yoga outreach organizations offering yoga for different communities.
Yoga Journal offers an extensive yoga sequence library and find a home practice that fits into your schedule.
The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute is one of the most comprehensive yoga teacher training schools in the United States.
“Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.”
Omega Institute Yoga Service offers the intentional sharing of yoga practices (e.g., movement, breathwork, meditation, relaxation) that support healing and build resilience for all, regardless of circumstances, taught within a context of conscious relationship, and supported by regular reflection and self-inquiry. Jonathan has joyfully taken advantage of this classic service while attending the Omega Institute in upstate New York, United States.