5 ways to spread kindness in your community

(NC) We hear it often—we’re living in uncertain, unprecedented times. And while that is true, it also means that acts of kindness can have a more meaningful impact and foster hope in the people around you.

“Hope is looking forward to a better future for the next generation. But hope is now, too,” Governor General Mary Simon says in her most recent letter to Canadians. “It is about what we do right here, right now. It is about a feeling of connection inside us that keeps us going.”

Here are some ways to promote hope and kindness in your community:

1. Create a care package for newcomers. Join a volunteer organization that helps newcomers adjust to life in Canada. Create a care package that includes a small plant, journal or list of free local mental health resources and peer groups for extra support.

2. Organize a community cleanup. Gather a group of neighbours or colleagues to clean up a local park, green space or body of water. This not only helps protect the environment, but also brings people together, promoting a sense of community and shared responsibility for nature.

3. Host an inclusive community gathering. Organize a potluck dinner where everyone is encouraged to share dishes from their cultural traditions. Set up games and activities that foster kindness and celebrate diversity.

4. Create a youth kindness project. Partner with local schools or community centres and organizations to develop projects that support youth, such as mentorship programs or cross-cultural workshops on topics that speak to youth, such as creating safe online spaces.

5. Host a hope garden event. Organize a neighbourhood garden day where everyone can come together to plant flowers, vegetables or trees and exchange gardening tips. Share seeds or plants with neighbours to encourage community bonding and environmental stewardship.

Read the full letter and learn more about the importance of hope at gg.ca.