Kindness begets kindness. So, wanted to create a space to share and amplify stories of kindness with the hope that it inspires a chain reaction.

Elijah Gubanov

When I first arrived in the United States in February 2023, I was completely alone. I had just two suitcases and no idea about anyone here. It was a daunting experience, knowing no one and feeling like a stranger in a new country.

But then, my family — distant relatives of some friends of friends from Jersey — reached out and offered me their help. They gave me the chance to stay with them for free during my first few weeks, which was an absolute lifesaver. Not only did it protect my wallet, which had just $5,000 for my entire new life here, but it also gave me a sense of mental peace and stability. Having a place that felt like a home made such a huge difference in my adjustment. Read more>>

Charles Jennings

First and foremost, without my Heavenly Father, none of this would even be possible. I give God all the praise and glory for opening the door for me and showing me that it’s never too late for dreams to come true.

What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me, is a question that has many answers. All of us overtime, have had many people do kind acts for us. But what about the impact? When I ponder my personal life-markers, My mother and my wife Frances comes to mind. Their kindness isn’t just another feel good story. Read more>>

Mandi Finkel-jimenez

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is my husband Ron’s unwavering belief in me and support for my dreams. When we first moved in together in LIC, I was searching for an office space for Quintessential Therapy. Within a few months, I found one, and despite the extra costs, Ron encouraged me to go for it. Six years later, even during challenging times when I contemplated shutting down the office, Ron stepped up once again. He found a way to secure the funds we needed to keep the business going. I am truly thankful for his constant support and belief in me, which has been truly instrumental in helping me achieve my goals. Read more>>

Lynn Andrews

When I first started out—way back in the Bush administration—I had a mentality that it was me against every other woman in the room. In school, the environment had been highly competitive, so when I went to an audition for a musical sketch comedy show. The casting call was looking for three men and one woman. I was ready to smoke every other contender. Read more>>

Todd Mrozinski

I was given a chance to meet and spend time with an artist I greatly admire, William Kentridge. After months of being inspired by his exhibition at the Warehouse Art Museum in 2022, the owners, John Shannon and Jan Serr, asked me to escort him from Chicago to Milwaukee and we walked through the exhibition and had dinner with the group. It showed me that enthusiasm about that which you feel strongly about attracts more of it. Read more>>

Becky Ezechukwu

I’d say putting in some good words for me and giving me a platform to bloom. There was a point in my life I literally thought this is it! I’m at the end of the road and suddenly, a fresh of breathe air comes upon me, a door with lots of possibilities is opened for me and I could see life from a different perspective. I’m not where I’m ought to be yet, but, I’m super grateful for these baby steps! I’m grateful people have me in mind and can trust me to execute things perfectly…. It’s beautiful seeing your worth through the eyes of people and I couldn’t be more grateful and happy for that act of kindness that changed the whole thing for me. Read more>>

Karen Mittelman

Two unexpected kindnesses in my thirties profoundly shaped my creative journey. The first: a well-known Philadelphia poet who I admired surprised me by accepting my invitation to do a public poetry reading with me. I had been writing poetry on and off for a few years, and not taking my work very seriously. That poetry reading gave me the nudge I needed at exactly the right moment, and led me to a terrific, inspiring feminist writing group. That group sustained me and my writing through marriage, step-motherhood, and motherhood – a tumultuous and complicated time in my life. Read more>>

Jackie Leighton

One of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me was when a wholesale customer, who was always incredibly sweet and kind, sent me an automatic bath bomb press—completely for free. She mentioned that she wasn’t using it anymore and thought it could help my business, so she just shipped it to me, no strings attached. Read more>>

Jessica Stolte Bender

One of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me was when my friend Anne, her parents, and my first voice teacher, Mr. Ron Meixcell, gave me the opportunity to take private singing lessons—completely free—simply because they believed in me. Singing was always my deepest form of expression, but my passion wasn’t understood or supported at home. Somehow, these incredible people saw my talent and my need, and they made a way for me to study and grow in ways I had only dreamed of. They even convinced my parents to allow it, advocating for me when I didn’t know how to advocate for myself. Read more>>