Acts of Kindness

The number of drug overdose fatalities in the U.S. is alarmingly high. In 2017, there were 70,237 overdose deaths, with 47,600 of these attributed to opioids. According to the CDC, this figure has risen more than fivefold since 1999. Particularly concerning is the rise in opioid deaths linked to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, since 2011. Each overdose death leaves behind grieving friends and family, who often struggle to process […]

I’m sitting in a bustling outdoor café in Jakarta, feeling the sun’s heat on my sundress as sweat beads down my back. Opposite me, a young Muslim woman in a black hijab and long sleeves sits seemingly unperturbed by the oppressive humidity. The stark difference in our attire feels symbolic, highlighting the divide between us. I am a middle-class American on a work trip, while she is an Afghan refugee

While incredibly enriching, reading often struggles to compete with the allure of screens for children’s attention. However, some communities are revitalizing the joy of reading by introducing interactive, endless literary treasure hunts. In Braidwood, a quaint town in New South Wales, Australia, children’s books like “Goosebumps” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” are placed in plastic bags and concealed in various locations around the town. These books might be found

Funerals can serve many purposes—moments of deep sorrow, celebrations of a life lived, or opportunities for family to pay their respects. However, one thing that should never occur is leaving a funeral unattended. Unfortunately, some individuals find themselves without loved ones. Some may be estranged from their families or have outlived their friends. Others might have fallen into difficult circumstances, such as addiction, leading to the loss of personal connections.

Several years ago, Megan Burnside witnessed a mother struggling with her son. The boy was yelling, which led Burnside to call the police, believing that the situation was escalating and required intervention. The mother appeared to be struggling to get her 10-year-old son back into the car, and it seemed like things were getting physical. Concerned for the child’s welfare, Burnside and her husband decided to leave and let the