All articles from Reasons to be Cheerful
Formerly Incarcerated Mentors Are Changing Lives in California
When he walked out of prison after 28 years, the first thing Allen Burnett did was drive to the ocean. “I just stood there for a minute,” he recalls. “I wanted to feel the air.” For most of his life,
Creating Community Wealth and ‘Food Dignity’ in San Diego
This story was originally published by Civil Eats. Every Wednesday morning, a refrigerated solar-powered truck arrives at the Mt. Hope Community Garden in Southeast San Diego. The driver hops out and
What We’re Reading: Baby Steps Toward U.S. Paid Parental Leave
Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Tell us what you’ve been reading at info@reasonstobecheerful.world and we just might feature it here. Crawling
Can We Bring Back the Butterflies?
The Butterfly Grove at Pismo Beach used to sound alive before you even saw it. The first time I visited on a winter morning over a decade ago, I stood beneath the towering eucalyptus and heard a faint
Over-50s Are Finding a Meaningful Second Act in Care Work
Retiring by the age of 54 was not in Denys Andrianjafy’s original life plan. But after a series of strokes triggered ongoing health issues, including temporary blindness, nerve pain, severe headaches
Near Philadelphia’s New Green Spaces, a Dramatic Reduction in Crime
Linda Lloyd has lived in West Philadelphia her whole life. The 67-year-old, a retired municipal employee, has always taken pride in her community and tried to keep her neighborhood in good shape. But
The Spark: Building Community One Meal at a Time
Welcome back to The Spark, our monthly celebration of how people just like you are creating positive change, one meaningful step at a time. The Spark is generously supported by Laura Rice. Sign up to
What We’re Reading: Will Chicago Do Congestion Pricing Next?
Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Tell us what you’ve been reading at info@reasonstobecheerful.world and we just might feature it here. Street sm