Photo of the Week #23: “When Winter Comes”

Photo of the Week #23: “When Winter Comes”

Photo and Text by Sandeep Sahani

“Varanasi, India. Migratory birds from Siberia fly several miles away from the cold Arctic regions and prefer warmer climate along the Gangetic belt. Several tourists from across the region flock to the ghats for bird watching. People like to feed the birds.  Bird feed is sold on the boats, they buy it and feed the birds.”

This image was submitted to our 2017 Our World is Kind Photography Contest.

Photo of The Week #19: “Mother and Daughter”

Photo of the Week #19: “Mother and Daughter”

“It’s a special bond that spans the years. Through laughter, worry, smiles and tears, a sense of trust that cannot be broken, a depth of love sometimes unspoken, a lifelong friendship built on sharing, hugs and kisses, warmth and caring,  Mother and daughter, their hearts as one – a link that can never be undone.”

Photo and Text by Mina Farahani.  This image was submitted to Envision’s 2017 Our World is Kind Photography Contest.

CT Realtors Are Honoring a Life of Kindness

#NiceWork! Connecticut Realtors is a realty trade association based in East Hartford, CT that unites realtors all across the State. They have a long established culture of kindness, a legacy of the incredible life of former Executive Vice President, Harry “Bud” Wenz. A WWII veteran, State Representative, and compassionate human being, Mr. Wenz exemplified kindness.  His friends and colleagues described him as warm, caring, and sincere with a great sense of humor. He truly cared about his impact in the world. Not only was he in the leadership of CAR (Connecticut Association of Realtors), he was also very politically involved. During his time on the General Assembly, Bud originating a bill that raised licensing standards for real estate brokers along with requirements for both prerequisite exams and continued education. Since his passing in 2008, CT realtors have worked to honor his memory. What originally started as the “Good Neighbor Awards” has since transformed into CT REALTORS Random Acts of Kindness Day on September 21st, Bud’s birthday.  It has become an annual event since 2016.

During Random Acts of Kindness Day, members of CT Realtors are encouraged to perform at least one random act of kindness. This year, Lisa Governale of CT Realtors told Envision that, “CTR staff painted ‘kindness rocks’ with uplifting messages.  We distributed the rocks in a little garden at Nevers Road Park in South Windsor with a sign encouraging anyone who needs a little lift to take a rock.” The rock initiative has been hugely successful. Lisa Governale told Envision that “when a CT realtor staff member went the following week to take a walk through the park all of the rocks were gone.”

Along with Kindness Rocks, staff members have posted messages honoring Mr. Wenz and have contributed to CT Realtors Care. The foundation was established by CT Realtors as a way to formalize their philanthropic efforts and respond to natural disasters. Since its foundation in 2009, the nonprofit has donated generously to help those in the community and beyond. Initiatives they have undertaken include “Dog Days of Summer” where members collect items for animal shelters as well as various donation drives to give children in Connecticut’s homeless shelters a Paddington Bear. Most recently, they’ve matched 100% of donations to help hurricane Harvey victims, raising $10,290 and donating a total of $20,290.

Community members and all those aware of CT Realtors Act of Kindness Day are encouraged to live a life promoting kindness. On the CT realtor’s website, there is a list of kindness ideas, facts, and quotes so anyone can become an agent of kindness. “Smile at someone on the street, just because,” number 16 reads. Like a simple smile, CT Realtors spread kindness throughout their community.

To learn more about CT Realtors Random Acts of Kindness Day or if you’re in need of kindness inspiration, visit their website. One kind act can change a life. I challenge you to perform a random act of Kindness right now and share it with Envision. Together, we can show the world how abundant kindness is.

Young Mugs Coffee Roasters Pays it Forward for Zoë Faye

NiceWork! A cup of Young Mugs Coffee is more than filtered coffee grounds, it’s a cup of kindness. Zeppo Young, owner and roaster of Young Mugs Coffee in Webster, MA, has successfully turned his passion into a means to pay it forward. “I want my business to be known not only for excellent coffee, but for also having a sincere desire to make the world a better place…It makes me happy knowing that I can be a force for good, while serving excellent coffee.” Zeppo explained to Envision Kindness.

Young’s pay it forward journey begins with the life of his eldest daughter, Zoë Faye Young. In December of 2011 when Zoe was just 1 month old, doctors discovered a malignant Rhabdoid Tumor in Zoë, a rare form of cancer. Even when faced with unimaginable difficulty, Zoë, Laura and Zeppo found refuge in the kindness given to them by others. Whether it be hospital visits, blood donations or gifts, random acts of kindness began to accumulate from all over the country.

In her 6 months of life, Zoë touched the lives of not only her parents but people from across the country. “She made you aware of how fragile life can be, and how to live with a fire in your soul,” said by Laura Young on her blog, “Little and Fierce”.  In honor of the fierce life lived by their daughter, Zeppo and Laura created the “Zoë Faye Foundation,” an organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to children diagnosed with rare tumors including Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors, Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors, and Non-CNS Extrarenal Rhabdoid Tumors.

As the loving father of 3 children and devoted husband to his wife Laura, Zeppo is well seasoned in the act of giving and receiving kindness. He is an integral part of his children’s lives. “I get to teach my children to work hard. To work smart. To follow their passions. That they are empowered to build a life full of joy and happiness,” written by Zeppo in the Young Mugs Coffee Roasters blog. Young is a man who values both his role as a father and the responsibility of living to make this world a better place.

Following in the footsteps of their foundation, Young Mugs Coffee Roasters has made it their mission to use their business as a platform for doing good. The coffee shop has donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and plans on raising money for Zoë’s Lemonade Stand, which benefits the Boston Children’s Hospital for September, Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Zeppo uses the profits from his coffee shop to compliment the efforts of the Young’s foundation.

To learn more about The Young Mug Coffee Roasters and the Zoë Faye Foundation you can visit their websites: http://www.youngmugscoffee.com and http://www.teamzoecancersucks.com. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Next time you meet a stranger on the street, think about how you can pay it forward and be a hero in their life.  

“Be a Blessing to Somebody”

Sometimes, you need to go somewhere where everyone knows your name. For many Memphis, TN residents, Manna House is just that place. A colorful safe haven for community members who are down on their luck, the house provides showers, fresh clothes and a cup of coffee for folks who need some community feels and a pick me up.

Open 3 days a week, the house is run by volunteers. Karen Pulfer Focht, a talented and socially conscious photojournalist who is a frequent contributor to Envision Kindness, was able to catch up with one of them. Almost every Thursday on the front stoop of Manna House, you can find Kirk Whalum, the Grammy award winning jazz artist, giving the homeless a fresh shave and a haircut.

Whalum is a celebrated and sought after artist. On top of winning awards for his solo and collaborative albums, he has been “an in demand session player for top artists like Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Larry Carlton, Quincy Jones and most notably, Whitney Houston, amongst many others.”  In fact, the hit song “I Will Always Love You” features his saxophone.

Still, Whalum is a very self-aware man. After reflecting on his own life, he decided that he wanted to do more. He wanted to be a “blessing to somebody.” So, he began blessing the Manna House with his service. Whalum understands what it means to care consciously. An ordained minister, he listens to people, finds out what they need, and responds to the best of his abilities. After speaking with people at Manna House, he realized that people needed shaves and haircuts. So, he dove right in it. Rick Greer, Memphis resident who frequents Manna House, says he is thankful for places like this where he can get cleaned up.  “Us street people…we got to keep our appearances up,” Greer explained.

“We are all in need of care and kindness,” Whalum tells Focht. He strives to be in solidarity with those who he cleans up. That’s why he’s constantly greeting people and making sure they feel welcomed at the center. In Focht’s enlightening interview with Whalum, he speaks humbly about his service. At one point, the man who he is caring for looks up at him. “I appreciate it,” the man says. “You’re welcome, bro,” Whalum responds with a smile.

Thank you, Karen Pulfer Focht, for the beautiful video, still images, and story.