Now here’s a creative solution: hiring people with autism to perform certain data management and other detail-oriented jobs. Why? Certain individuals with this developmental disorder are particularly well-suited for such tasks, often excelling at them. Their remarkable attributes and skills can include an outstanding memory or eye for detail, a structured way of working, thinking out of the box and […]
What do you get when you pair a prison inmate with a dog set to be euthanized? A program that benefits both inmates and dogs. Over two dozen jail-dog programs exist in the USA. What’s a jail-dog program? A prison inmate gets a dog to take care of and train, so it can be adopted. […]
What’s the best way to convince armed combatants to stop fighting and return home? Remind them of the joys of Christmas, of being with their families and children, of carols and fireworks during the festive season. Campaigns to make the fighters feel nostalgic and want to demobilize did just that in Colombia. Operation Christmas (2010), Operation […]
We all have heard that laughter is the best medicine, but studies are increasingly bearing out that conclusion. “Dr. Lee Berk, an associate professor at Loma Linda University in California, has spent nearly three decades studying the ways the aftershocks of a good laugh ripple through your brain and body,” says a 19 November article on […]
Many, many people have heard about Habitat for Humanity. But what they do is worth repeating. In its own words, “Habitat for Humanity International builds, rehabilitates and repairs simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner families, volunteer labor, and donations of money and materials.” It is an international, non-governmental, and non-profit organization. Habitat uses volunteer […]
Want to invest in people? It all started in 1968, when the “idea of an ethical investment channel for churches and related organizations was put forward, with the intention that investments would provide credit to enterprises that support the disadvantaged.” In 1975, the goal to promote social justice by providing this credit to economically deprived people became reality. […]
The Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and […]
Here’s an important idea that aims to encourage equality, justice, and dignity globally. “Creative for Good” is an initiative that uses media campaigns to promote social causes, for instance to stop violence against women in India. That campaign, just one example, is called Ring the Bell (“Bell Bajao”). It proposes one simple action: ringing a doorbell. What […]
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. THE GOOD TIMES WISHES EVERYONE GOOD HEALTH IN 2014, AND PLENTY OF GOOD NEWS.
