For the 99th thru 104th consecutive weeks, the Center for Peace & Conflict Studies has compiled a list of acts of kindness and peace. The initiative began as a response to COVID-19 and the racism pandemic but has broadened to include any act of compassion or service to others. Please share these stories. If you have stories of positive acts people/organizations are taking and you would like to share them, please email them to Brandon Miller at peacecenter@bsu.edu. All the stories starting from week 1 are available online. Additionally, you can follow the Peace Center on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) at bsu4peace.
Week 99
Good News: How One Veteran is Using Art and Music to Save Lives
One Marine Corps war veteran has found healing through art, and he is working to spread the word to help other suffering veterans. Richard Casper is a Marine Corps veteran who fought in Afghanistan following the events of 9/11, he joined the military right out of high school. After only four months in Afghanistan, Casper’s Humvee was struck in an ambush, and a close friend of his was killed in the action; Casper suffered a traumatic brain injury. Coming home from the war, Casper admitted that he struggled with both depression and suicidal ideation, but that he has helped overcome those feelings through the “healing power of art and music.” Since then, he has co-founded the organization “CreatiVets” in an effort to help other veterans who are suffering. Casper and his organization has receive overwhelming position attention for his work, being featured in TIME Magazine, as well as several prominent art institutes across the country. Casper was even able to spent time with former president George W. Bush, who took great interest in the impact that music and art can have on recovery.
Source: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/richard-casper-creativets
Instead of a Wall, a Binational Park to Be Built on Border of Texas and Mexico
Following two years of campaigning from a grassroots effort in southern Texas, what was going to be a border wall will now become a binational park. Following plans from the Trump administration to construct large border walls along the southern border of Texas, the grassroots group No Border Wall Coalition (NBWC), consisting of veterans, clergy, teachers, students, Indigenous leaders, and landowners, has finally found victory in their efforts. Their effort reportedly saved “ 71 miles of sensitive riverfront land and more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds.” This victory also paved the way for the Texan city of Laredo to unanimously agree on plans for a binational river park, between the city of Laredo and their sister city Nuevo Laredo, across the border. According to the article, this historic project will cover approximately 6.3 miles and will focus on the conversation of the Rio Grande River, as well as providing a public space for community recreation and education. This project will also serve as representation for the “unique and interconnected relationship between the two border cities.”
Source: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/binational-park-texas-mexico
In Zimbabwe, a Women-Only Fem Mine Gives Abuse Survivors New Hope
A small aquamarine mine in Zimbabwe has become a beacon of hope for women in a country rife with domestic violence. The Zimbaqua mine in Zimbabwe may seem like an average mine at first glance, though, under the surface, one can find that every worker is a woman. This alone is almost unheard-of, as the field is almost entirely dominated by men. Many women employed at the mine are trying to start a new life, fleeing from abusive situations like domestic violence and forced marriages. According to a survey in 2015, one in five Zimbabwean women reported to have suffered violence from a partner. Regardless of their situation, many of these women are forced to remain in abusive relationships, as they almost entirely rely on their partner for finances. The Zimbaqua mine reportedly gives new mothers three months of maternity leave with full pay, as well as regular breastfeeding breaks when they return. The mine is also reportedly working on a daycare center to better accommodate mothers. While the mine may only currently employ roughly 25 women, it has become a beacon of hope, as it shows a future where women can leave abusive situations and find financial success on their own.
Source: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/women-only-gem-mine-zimbabwe
Week 100
A college student’s project helped free his childhood friend from prison
Brandon Harris started the project “Telling Stories of the Ignored and Forgotten” to recognize people who have been forgotten in society and are not viewed in an objective way. Harris started the project focusing on six prisoners but then chose to concentrate on his childhood friend, Sura Sohna who was sentenced to 15-years in prison for armed burglary. Throughout the duration of the progress, Harris spoke to the Sohna, his family, law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims of Sohna’s actions to understand what people thought. Sohna was granted a new hearing where he poured out his heart to the judge explaining why he was fit to be in society. Harris also took to stand to testify on behalf of Sohna and the findings of Sohna’s character from the “Telling Stories of the Ignored and Forgotten” project. The judge, pleased with Sohna’s maturity and the support in the courtroom for him, released him and he was free to go. Sohna planned to serve his community and work on getting his GED.
Source: The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/02/25/college-student-prison-project-harris/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3627911%2F621b843f9d2fda34e7ae73c3%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F11%2F49%2F621b843f9d2fda34e7ae73c3
Ukrainian Refugees Move Into Medieval Irish Castle Owned by Good Samaritan
Lola and Barry Haughian opened their 15th-century Irish castle in County Galway to house eleven Ukrainian refugees. Haughian flew to both Poland, Mariupol, and Dnipro to pick up the refugees when shells started falling on Ukraine. Haughian explained that he and his wife were “emotional wrecks” and just wanted to help the refugees in any way they could—and opening their castle-like home was the best decision he could have made. He explains that every week it gets better, five out of the twelve have found jobs and some are optimistic about finishing their studies. Neighbors offer a helping hand and bring supplies over to help them in whatever way they can.
Source: Good News Network - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/irishman-brings-group-of-refugees-from-mariupol/
5-Year-old Donates Everything He Has–30 Cents–to a Homeless Man, Teaching His Father a Lesson
Justus Mateo, a 5-year old noticed a homeless man while driving with has dad and wanted to give the man the only money he had, thirty cents. Justice Smith, the dad, was hesitant to give the man the money because he could see the man was in need and thirty cents would seem insensitive and not helpful. He almost told his son that the money was not enough and almost let pride get in the way of helping someone. When Smith explained to the man that he did not have cash on him, but his son only had 30 cents and gave the man the change, he was beyond elated. The man’s face lit up and he told the son “God bless you, little man! Thank you so much!” Smith stated that the only thing better than the smile on the man’s face was the smile on his son’s.
Source: Good News Network - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/5-yo-son-teaches-homeless-lesson-to-father/
Week 101
Nonprofit Organizes Clean-Up of Lake Tahoe that Removes 12 Tons of Submerged Trash
Clean Up the Lake, a nonprofit dedicated to clearing the Lake Tahoe and its shores of trash, has collected 24,797 pieces of litter weighing a total of 25,281 pounds. The scuba divers who completed the work found lost engagement rings and wallets, cameras, lamp posts, and telephones among the refuse. The groups clean-up spanned all 72 miles of the lake’s shore thanks in part to a $100,000 donation from organizations located near Lake Tahoe. Although their work at Lake Tahoe is now complete, they are moving on to three other lakes in 2022. They are also commissioning artists to commemorate their work so far by turning the recovered items into sculture.
Source: Good News Network - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/clean-up-of-lake-tahoe-recovers-52k-pounds/
Scuba Divers Retrieve an Antique Ring after it Slips off Owner’s Finger
As Emma Lyon was watching a boat from the banks of River Great Ouse, her ring slipped from her finger and disappeared beneath the water. The loss was especially devastating to Lyon, as the ring was 100 years old and had belonged to her grandmother. Another team of altruistic divers came to the rescue. The following day, Lyon contacted a scuba divers’ group, who quickly responded to her plea and dove into action. To thank them, Lyon took the crew out for a drink at the local pub.
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/diving-heroes-find-womans-100-year-old-wedding-ring-after-it-flew-off-her-finger-into-a-river/
Lottery Winner and “Charity Addict” Gives Away Half of Her Winnings
When Frances Connelly and her husband, Patty, won the equivalent of $145 million in a lottery in 2019, Connelly’s first thought was to establish two professional charities. So that’s exactly what she did, in addition to donating around 11 million to other charities. Although her husband gave her a “charity budget”, Frances has spent her budget all the way through 2032. “I think I’m at about 10-11 million now directly to charity, as well as the money in the two charities here and in Northern Ireland, but I don’t keep a tally…in case Patty finds it!”
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/irish-woman-frances-connelley-who-won-145m-lottery-has-given-over-half/
Week 102
Queer Proms Around the Country Give Queer Adults a Chance to Relive Their Youth in a Welcoming Environment
A few weeks ago, Meghan Dengler, dressed in a blue tuxedo, went to prom with her friends. It wasn’t exactly a traditional prom though: Dengler is 31, and the prom was hosted by QFX, a company that hosts queer friendly events. The idea behind the prom was to give queer folks a chance to reprise their high school proms in a more affirming, comfortable environment. Dengler, who identifies as queer, did not attend her high school prom because her school did not allow students to attend alone or with a same-sex date. So for her, this prom was a healing experience: “It was phenomenal. Everyone was just so comfortable there. We danced the entire time.” Similar events were held around the country. Molly Hottle, 33, attended a Skate Prom in Seattle: “It was…a place for those of us who didn’t always feel welcome or at home at our traditional high school proms to celebrate, skate, and get fancy!” Kayley Ianna, 23, attended a Pride Prom in Pittsburg, Kansas: “It…gave people like me, who realized who they were and became proud after high school, a chiance to relive a moment of youth we never believed we’d get back.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/05/21/queer-proms-lgbtq-inclusive/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36eb86b%2F628e28bf956121755a8f444d%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F16%2F51%2F628e28bf956121755a8f444d
Biologist Reaches Reconnects with a Berkeley Professor who Inspired her when She Wrote to Him as a 4-Year-Old
Long before Rebecca Varney finished her PhD in 2021, she had reached out at age 4 to a Berkeley entomologist with a burning question: “Do walking sticks have knees?” The letter was addressed simply to UC-Berkeley, but it made its way to the entomology department where it reached Vernard Richard Lewis, a professor of entomology. He invited Varney to the Essig Museum of Entomology where he gave tours, let Varney hold a hissing cockroach, and told her about how college had “whole classes” where she could learn about bugs. That moment had a major impact on Varney – so much so that she went on a quest to reconnect with Lewis after she earned her PhD. Eventually, through the power of the internet, she and Lewis got in touch, and Varney was able to thank Lewis for the impact he had on her academic trajectory. In tracking him down, she also got to hear stories from others who had similarly inspired by someone in their lives: “The thing that I’ve enjoyed the most is having hundreds of people reaching out to me to tell me their own stories of a visit with some person who took the time to talk to them when they were a child, and it totally changed their life.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2022/05/21/bugs-rebecca-varney-vernard-lewis/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36eb86e%2F628e28bf956121755a8f444d%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F31%2F51%2F628e28bf956121755a8f444d
Photographer Shares His Art Form with At Risk Youth
As a 20-something photographer, Devin Allen’s career took off when one of his photos – that of a young black man fleeing from police in riot gear – made the cover of Time magazine. That made him only the third amateur photographer to have a photo on the cover of Time. His commitment to advocating for social justice through art came after a period of time selling drugs, during which he lost several friends to gun violence. After his best friend was killed, Allen turned to photography to “release stress”. Eventually, his brand of activism began evolving again when he started to share his passion for photography with youth. “Photography saved me mentally, physicaly and emotionally, and I feel like it could do the same for so many younger kids.” After organizing a successful GoFundMe, his program became so successful that he had to hold an essay contest to select participants. One group of his students developed a photo exhibit for an art center in Baltimore. Allen’s work with kids has also involved handing out cameras to young people who express interest in photography – nearly 600 to date. “At the end of the day, when I’m old and I can’t hold a camera steady no more, I’m going to measure my own personal success by how many kids I saved,” he says.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/05/23/photographer-inspires-youth-baltimore/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36eb870%2F628e28bf956121755a8f444d%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F34%2F51%2F628e28bf956121755a8f444d
Week 103
Queer camp counselor was asked not to return to camp, so they opened a camp of their own
Shira Berkowitz had enjoyed being a counselor at an overnight summer camp in Minnesota. In 2007, Berkowitz, then 22, was expected to become the program director for ninth-graders. But Berkowitz received an unexpected message: “Please don’t come back to camp.” Staff at the camp had been saying “inappropriate things” about Berkowitz’s sexuality, and parents had voiced concerns about Berkowitz’s gender identity and sexuality. While the experience was hurtful, Berkowitz decided to start a summer camp specifically for LGBTQ+ campers and staff. It was a smash hit: all 95 spots for the weeklong program filled up within weeks with campers from 25 different states and from grades 2-11.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/05/18/trans-camp-shira-berkowitz-indigo-point/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36e43c3%2F628a3473956121755a8a0f5b%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F11%2F53%2F628a3473956121755a8a0f5b
During the baby formula shortage, one restaurant owner has used his connections to source and distribute formula for free to parents in need
Benji Arslanovski owns a restaurant in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. When he learned that he had access to baby formula through his distributor, he began ordering it with the intent of selling it at cost. Instead, he has been giving it away. So far, he has given formula to hundreds of parents in need. In total, he has spent nearly $4000 of his own money to supply these families with the increasingly precious commodity.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/05/18/restaurant-owner-donates-formula/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36e43c5%2F628a3473956121755a8a0f5b%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F16%2F53%2F628a3473956121755a8a0f5b
A debate coach uses his own savings to keep a debate team afloat. His former student raises $1 million to pay him back.
K.M. DiColandrea runs the Brooklyn Debate League (BDL), an organization that provides training and access to tournaments for kids who do not have the means to participate in debate tournaments otherwise. To keep the league open, DiColandrea drained his savings account of its $6000 in contents. Jonathan Conyers, a former student of “DiCo”, as DiColandrea is affectionately known, learned of DiCo’s kind act; DiCo had been kind to Conyers while he was in high school, so he wanted to help. With DiCo’s input, Conyers set up a GoFundMe for BDL. He also used social media to share the impact DiCo had on him and to expand the reach of the fundraiser. Touched by his stories, millions of people tuned and $1.2 million in donations poured in for DiCo and his debate club.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/05/15/humans-newyork-debate-coach-dicolandrea/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36dd211%2F6284ee72956121755a828b95%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F16%2F51%2F6284ee72956121755a828b95
Week 104
Displaced from her home, a Ukrainian teen finds her calling
After being uprooted from Kyiv, Anna Melnyk suddenly became a grown-up at age 16. “Something changed in the way I see my troubles, my daily life,” Anna said. “Now, every day I wake up and think, ‘Okay, I can do something.’” After much chaos, Anna ended up in Lviv, Ukraine, where she now works at a train station providing information to people passing through, information like how to get to Poland, how to find the bomb shelter, what to do next. Each day, she slips on a green vest imprinted with the word “information.” Her job: to help bewildered arrivals find their way to safety. “Some of them ask my age and when I say, ‘16’, they’re shocked,” Anna said. “But I don’t feel a difference. I have one mission: to help.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/03/ukraine-teen-coming-of-age-in-war/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36bde68%2F62727981956121755a639d27%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F27%2F52%2F62727981956121755a639d27
Beekeepers in Atlanta rally to save millions of bees left on a tarmac at the airport
After placing an order for millions of bees to the tune of $48,000, Sarah McElrea of Alaska was horrified to learn that her shipment had been rerouted to Atlanta; to make matters worse, they had been without food for days and had been left out on the hot tarmac. In short, they were dying – quickly. Frantic phone calls ensued, and a group of 25 beekeepers from the Atlanta arrived on the scene to rescue any survivors. Although many were lost, the beekeepers in Atlanta made homes for the survivors in their existing hives. One of the keepers, Edward Morgan, was touched at the quick response from his community: “If we hadn’t come together to do this, every single bee would have died,” he said. “I’m happy that we could help save some of them. They’re important.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/05/02/atlanta-beekeepers-honeybees-delta-stranded/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F36bde65%2F62727981956121755a639d27%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F14%2F52%2F62727981956121755a639d27
12 year old makes a wooden bowl and auctions it off to raise money to aid displaced Ukrainian children
Richard Clarkie, father of 12-year old Gabriel Clarkie, took to Twitter to request that his followers check out his son’s woodworking creations. He explained that Gabriel was selling them to raise money for a mountain bike. The story went viral, and thousands of requests for items flooded in. In response, the Clarkie’s changed their plan: They set up a fundraiser for Save the Children Ukraine and decided that Gabriel would make one bowl to be offered via lottery. To enter the lottery, Richard later wrote, interested parties should make a donation to Save the Children Ukraine. And the story went viral again, coming to the attention of celebrities including J.K. Rowling, Nick Offerman, and Stephen Fry. In total, Gabriel’s initiative raised $313,000.
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/with-his-handmade-bowl-this-12-year-old-raised-325000-for-ukrainian-kids/