Building Community
Our Theme in November 2019
OPTIMIST VIEW: The World & Power of Positive Emotional Contagion
In the last month, the world has seen an unprecedented change in the way we live daily life and we’ve all been figuring out just how we will persevere, making it through these difficult times. The fear surrounding COVID-19 seems to be spreading faster than the virus itself. Fortunately, we’ve Read More...
Landlord in Arkansas has restaurant owners pay employees instead of rent
In these difficult times, more and more tough decisions have to be made by companies and businesses, including closing for business and laying off workers. But in Arkansas, the property owner of several restaurants is making life a little easier. In an effort to help restaurant owners and their Read More...
South Koreans are stepping up to support local farmers impacted by COVID-19
Gangwon province in South Korea is famous for the production of potatoes. However, the coronavirus has hit restaurant demand to produce hard and 11,000 tons risk spoiling if they do not reach consumers by April. The local farmers’ guild and the government launched a campaign to boost online Read More...
Chris Martin hosts virtual concert to bring fans together online
You can now watch a virtual Coldplay concert put on by lead singer Chris Martin as you practice social distancing. The concert is the first in a “Together, At Home” series put on by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Citizen to share music and build community spirit while concerts Read More...
British stores are setting designated shopping times for elderly patrons
Older citizens are most vulnerable to coronavirus, but these residents still need to access critical food supplies. To protect and provide for older citizens, some Iceland supermarkets in the UK are reserving time for senior residents to come shop in peace without the stress and health risks of Read More...
This transformed camper brings the power of music to refugee children
Nothing brings people together quite like music. That’s why a nonprofit called Turning Tables has teamed up with Swedish studio Snask that brings music to refugee children to give them a chance to express themselves through sound. Together, the organizations have converted an old camper into a Read More...
Italians are keeping their spirits up by singing from their balconies
Of course we could rely on Italians to create beauty and joy even in the trying times of a global pandemic. Lately, people in the country have started coming out on their balconies and leaning out their windows to join together in song, coordinating the effort by spreading the word via social Read More...
COVID-19: U-Haul offers free 30-day storage for displaced college students
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, many universities are taking precautions and sending students home early. For many students, that means vacating their on-campus dormitories, moving their stuff, and finding a new place to live. It’s a stressful period for students, which is why U-Haul is Read More...
This car dealership serves as a safe parking lot for the homeless at night
During the day, the Kiplin Automotive Group in Charlotte, North Carolina looks like any other car dealership, but at night, it transforms into a safe parking lot for homeless individuals living in their cars. This Optimist Daily story was shared with us by one of our Optimist readers and is Read More...
Optimist View: What if we all owned the local grocery store?
“He that does good to another does good also to himself.” » Seneca Maybe it’s a grocery store, or an apartment building, or even a daycare. Whatever type of cooperative lives in your neighborhood, you’ve probably caught yourself asking: what makes it a cooperative? What does it Read More...