True Stories of Good People

Look What Help Can Do: Sara and Edgar of Nixta Taqueria

December 28, 2023 07:25 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

Sara and Edgar are the married co-owners behind Nixta Taqueria—a beloved restaurant located in East Austin, Texas. Dedicated to their community, they've gone above and beyond to ensure their community is always fed, regardless of life's circumstances. When the couple faced challenges keeping Nixta open, their community paid it forward and showed up for them in ways they never could have imagined.

Making Sure Kids Have School Lunch: DeJuan Strickland

October 30, 2023 05:30 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MB

DeJuan Strickland knows what it’s like to not be able to afford school lunch. After learning about how many other kids have experienced the same situation, he decided to do something about it. With the help of his mom, Sharron, DeJuan is helping to eliminate lunch debt for as many kids as possible throughout his community.

Meet Kauai's Only Farm Animal Rescue: Christy Wong

June 27, 2023 14:40 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MB

For Christy Wong and her family, animals have always been a big part of their lives—however, they never imagined that they would someday be operating an entire rescue farm. By creating a safe home for animals and a welcoming space for her community, Kauai Animal Education Farm is helping preserve the local Hawaiian culture and connection to the land.

Sensory-Friendly Haircuts for Kids: Jelly Robinson

May 23, 2023 17:55 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MB

Jelly Robinson is a hairstylist with a special gift for helping children feel safe and confident while getting their hair cut. With her mobile salon, Peace & Love Studios, Jelly is on a mission to make sure children with autism have access to sensory-friendly haircuts.

Feeding Their Community, One PB&J at a Time: Ayaan Vaswani & Josh Isaac

November 28, 2022 06:37 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MB

Inspired by their mothers' efforts to feed their local San Jose community, Ayaan and Josh are making a difference for those experiencing homelessness with simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—and they're inspiring other young people to get involved, too.

Paying it Forward One Pedal at a Time: Hassan Abdus-Sabur

October 14, 2022 05:06 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MB

For the past three years, Hassan Abdus-Sabur has concluded a multi-hundred mile scholarship fundraising bike ride by riding onto the Howard University campus, exhausted and proud. In these moments when Hassan is surrounded by congratulations and applause, he can’t help but flash back to his own time at the prestigious school over 30 years ago, cut unexpectedly short by lack of funds. Not finishing school is Hassan’s only regret in life. The bike ride started when the niece of Hassan's form...

Grupo Folklorico Izcalli: Annel Alvarez and Stacey Valdez

September 15, 2022 05:21 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MB

After Annel Alvarez had her son Adrian, she was going through a pretty dark time in her life, feeling a sense of losing her identity. She knew she needed to do something to pull her out of it, but also knew she couldn’t do it alone—so she called up an old friend with an idea: “let’s start a dance troupe!” A pretty simple idea on its face, but what turned out to have so much power to build community, celebrate Hispanic culture, and provide space for healing.

Joy, Flowers and Community: Shanice Fleming

August 25, 2022 05:13 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MB

When Shanice Fleming left her career as a chef in New York City to start her own business as a farmer, her path seemed straight and clear. But with the help of mentors, community, and a beautiful epiphany, Shanice found something more—the desire to promote Black representation in the cut flower industry through her business, Queenz Cut Flower Farm.

Ice Cream and Neighborly Love: The Watson Family

August 11, 2022 05:53 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MB

The Watson family is committed to feeding their neighbors in their small town of Frazeysburg, Ohio. What started as a community food pantry has grown into an ice cream truck that delivers free hot meals—and of course, ice cream.

The Photographer Preserving WWII History: Jeff Rease

July 21, 2022 05:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

Photographer Jeff Rease is dedicated to honoring the stories of WWII veterans through portraiture. What started with one photograph in Alabama has grown into an international project featuring more than 290 veterans, and he has no plans of slowing down any time soon.

The Nerdettes: An All-Girls Robotics Team Inspiring their Community

June 30, 2022 05:10 - 23 minutes - 35.1 MB

When a high school all-girls robotics team from Huntsville, Alabama landed a seat at the Tech Challenge World Championships, they weren’t sure they would be able to afford to compete. Lucky for them, their local community came to the rescue. Their presence at the competition made history, and they continue to inspire other young women & girls in their community by showing there is a seat at the table for them in the world of robotics & STEM fields as a whole.

The Violin That's Making History: Anne Harris & Amanda Ewing

June 16, 2022 03:08 - 31 minutes - 48.7 MB

When a chance encounter on the internet brought together Anne, a Black female professional fiddle player, and Amanda, the only Black female violin maker in the United States, the serendipity wasn't lost on them. They immediately knew that with the help of their community, they could make history—and inspire others to live out their dreams.

Creating Connection for LGBTQ+ Youth: Laurenzo

June 02, 2022 15:29 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB

As a non-binary content creator, Laurenzo knows first-hand the struggles that LGBTQ+ youth face and how important it is to have a place where everyone can feel like they belong. That’s why they started the Laurenzo Community, a space for LGBTQ+ people to find and connect with each other online. Laurenzo starts a new GoFundMe each month to cover the membership fee for applicants who can’t afford to join the Laurenzo Community—but this Pride Month, Laurenzo is doing something even bigger.

The Power of Stories: Joseph Gutierrez

May 19, 2022 05:00 - 19 minutes - 23.2 MB

When Joseph Gutierrez moved to Nashville in 2017, he started to ask himself some honest questions about his new city. He wasn’t sure what the city meant to him, and vice versa. To explore these questions further, he started to have conversations with other local folks from the Asian and Pacific Islander community, and realized there was an existing lack of awareness and understanding about their cultures and identities. In response to the rising anti-AAPI hate crimes following the pandemic, ...

Creating Community Through Food: Alex Hanesakda

May 05, 2022 05:00 - 22 minutes - 34.9 MB

While in a refugee camp as a child, Chef Alex Hanesakda watched his father cook meals for friends, family, and even strangers. It was in those moments when he learned how food could break down barriers and bring communities together. Now, years later, Alex has started his own restaurant that honors the refugee experience, gives back to the community—and most importantly, brings people together.

The Landless Farmer Feeding Her Community: Chloe Moore

April 21, 2022 05:33 - 38 minutes - 36.7 MB

In communities that lack access to fresh food, healthy eating options are limited. To Chloe Moore, the solution runs just as deep as the roots of the problem. She works at Southside Community Farm, a small urban food space that provides access to fresh produce to those living in Asheville’s historically Black Southside neighborhood. And with plans to create more services that bring healthy food access to more people, Chloe also aims to change the narrative around agriculture in Black communi...

The Confident Girl Project: Taylor McCowan

April 07, 2022 05:34 - 15 minutes - 15.5 MB

Taylor McCowan always knew that confidence is key, but one day while she was volunteering in her community, that phrase took on a new meaning. Taylor identified a surprising need in her local unhoused community—a lack of access to menstrual products, something that affects millions of people worldwide. In response, she decided to start a community service project in hopes of giving people much more than just confidence.

How to Use Your Birthday for Good: Kai Martin

March 24, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 10.5 MB

Not many kids get exactly what they want for their birthday for ten years in a row. But since Kai Martin was five years old, that’s exactly what’s happened. However, he never asks for what a typical kid his age might ask for; all he wants for his birthday, year after year, is for people to donate to a cause that has had a significant impact his family.

#PatrioticKenny: Kenny Jary and Amanda Kline

March 10, 2022 06:00 - 33 minutes - 22.3 MB

US Navy Veteran Kenny Jary – or “Patriotic Kenny” as he’s come to be called in his community – knows what it’s like to rely on a mobility scooter for even the most simple of freedoms. So when his own scooter broke down, his friend Amanda Kline started a GoFundMe to help raise funds for a new one. After receiving more help than they expected, Kenny realized he wanted to pay it forward. Using Kenny’s sizable TikTok following, the two set out to help other veterans and were blown away by what h...

A Bookstore on Wheels: Latanya DeVaughn

October 29, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 20.4 MB

Latanya DeVaughn believes that every neighborhood deserves a bookstore—even if it's just for one day.

Rollin From the Heart: John Barry and Alison Brown

September 30, 2021 05:00 - 38 minutes - 30.5 MB

When John Barry and Alison Brown unexpectedly lost their 22-year-old son Ian in a tragic accident, their hearts were shattered. They knew how much he meant to them, but only when over 600 people showed up to his memorial did they begin to realize what a profound impact their quiet, caring son made on the community as a whole. As a way to process their grief, they decided to give back to the community by spreading the love of Ian’s favorite outdoor activities and spreading Ian’s legacy of kin...

Rescuing Food in Jersey City: Claudia Wheeler and Yawa Endara

August 31, 2021 07:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

Claudia Wheeler is a full-time mother, as well as an elementary school teacher based in Jersey City, NJ. On top of all of her other responsibilities in life, Claudia also manages to drive across the entire city, 7 days a week, on food rescue missions to help provide sustenance to those experiencing food insecurity in her community. In total, she has rescued and delivered over 130,000 pounds of fruit, vegetables, grains to families and organizations in need.

A Love Letter to Black Queer Men: Kemar Jewel

June 29, 2021 05:00 - 51 minutes - 36 MB

After he was kicked out of his family home at 15 for being gay, Kemar Jewel found his chosen family through the underground Philadelphia dance scene. There, he leaned into his passion for movement and truly understood how Black queer men can help each other heal from trauma. Now a choreographer and director, Kemar is blending art and activism to spread hope, love, and healing—all while uplifting Black LGBTQ voices.

New York State of Kind: Ben Wei

May 03, 2021 04:00 - 31 minutes - 22.9 MB

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the US, it shook New York City especially hard. In a matter of weeks, hospitals around the city reached capacity and quickly ran out of personal protective equipment (PPE). At a time when so many New Yorkers felt hopeless, New York native and tech entrepreneur Ben Wei found the courage to act. Now, one year later, he’s on another mission to help others; this time, to unite the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in the fight against hate...

Fruits, Vegetables and Community: Ashley Webb

April 08, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 21 MB

When Ashley Webb moved her family from Los Angeles to New Orleans in 2017, it was a huge culture shock. Not only was the city very different, but the neighborhood they moved into was considered a food desert, meaning there is no immediate access to fresh produce. Wanting to change this, Ashley and her husband started a community garden—and it blossomed into a much bigger project than they ever imagined.

will.i.am: The American Dream Fund

March 16, 2021 04:00 - 33 minutes - 36.4 MB

Most people know will.i.am as the founding member of The Black Eyed Peas, one of the most popular hip hop groups of all time. Aside from music, however, Will actually has another passion: education. Since founding the “i.am.angel foundation” in 2009, Will has worked tirelessly to set up robotics programs in schools, get kids into STEAM fields, and help high school students get prepared for and accepted into college. Today, he is raising funds to expand these programs and help even more kids ...

Bay Area Freedom Collective: Simon Liu, Jessica McKellar & Tenzin Kyizom

March 11, 2021 05:00 - 26 minutes - 29 MB

For formerly incarcerated individuals, safe, stable and affordable housing is the foundation of a smooth reentry into society. Unfortunately, it’s often the most difficult resource for them to obtain. Recognizing this need, one San Francisco Bay Area collective—run by and for formerly incarcerated Californians—is bringing housing and other necessary resources to people who have been similarly impacted by the criminal justice system. Not long ago, a collective member purchased a house where p...

Every Kid Deserves a Bike: Katie Blomquist

March 05, 2021 05:00 - 22 minutes - 25.4 MB

When Katie Blomquist was in her mid-20s, she left her career in marketing and PR to pursue something more personally fulfilling: teaching. After landing a job at a school in Charleston, South Carolina, Katie quickly fell in love with her students. When she learned that most of them didn’t have access to simple childhood pleasures such as bicycles, she wanted to change that. What started out as a singular act of kindness has grown into a movement that is bringing joy to kids in Charleston and...

Purpose 4 Pets: Meet Kid Hero Genevieve

February 11, 2021 05:00 - 21 minutes - 23.8 MB

Eleven-year-old Genevieve may be young, but she has big dreams. After going through the application process to foster a kitten, she was inspired to start her own nonprofit organization to improve the foster matching system in her local area. While Genevieve’s efforts are virtual-only for now due to COVID-19, she dreams of someday expanding to an in-person rescue center where she can house and care for animals of all shapes and sizes.

Cookies4Cures: Dana Perella

February 05, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 21.8 MB

When 5-year-old Dana Perella was at a speech therapy session she met another young girl named Mila, and they became fast friends. Over the years, Dana’s speech challenges went away while Mila’s got worse. Other health issues started coming up for Mila as well, and she eventually received a diagnosis of Batten disease, a neurological disorder that worsens over time. When Dana heard that Mila’s family needed to quickly raise funds for a potentially life-saving clinical trial, Dana wanted to he...

Dream Center of Englewood: Dion Dawson

January 28, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 45.5 MB

Dion Dawson is a fighter in more ways than one. As a veteran, he served in the Navy as an award-winning member of his department’s communications division. As a civilian, Dion is the founder and leader of Dion’s Chicago Dream, a nonprofit that provides material resources, community connection, and thousands of pounds of fresh food and counting to residents in his lifelong neighborhood of Englewood.

Saving Mila: Julia Vitarello

January 22, 2021 05:00 - 44 minutes - 53.6 MB

When Julia Vitarello's precious daughter Mila was diagnosed with Batten disease at the age of seven, she was terrified and heartbroken. Determined to save Mila by any means possible, Julia set out to raise enough money to fund an experimental clinical trial, and what happened next made medical history.

Let’s Make Masks & Cards: Nanette & Krystal Amihere

January 14, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 27.2 MB

When high school students and sisters Nanette and Krystal Amihere noticed that there were not many youth advocacy programs in their town, they decided to start their own in an effort to strengthen the community. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the sisters harnessed their program’s foundations and launched an initiative to make masks and cards for frontline workers and nursing home residents. What started out as a small, local project eventually saw young people from all over the world gettin...

Teen Child Abuse Activist: Elijah Lee

January 08, 2021 05:00 - 45 minutes - 51.2 MB

When Elijah Lee was in the first grade, he learned that one of his classmates was experiencing child abuse. He assisted her in getting help, but the experience left him with a heavy heart. Today, Elijah is 13-years-old and is a passionate teen activist who believes that all children have the right to grow up in safe, loving environments.

The Pandemic Pup Relief Tour: Brian Taylor

December 17, 2020 05:00 - 34 minutes - 39.9 MB

When the coronavirus swept through New York City this past spring, Brian Taylor had no choice but to close his dog grooming business to the public. But while in lockdown, his heart hurt for his community members and their pets. Under financial strain, many of them could no longer afford the essential grooming services that kept their dogs clean and healthy. So as soon as it was safe to do so, Brian began grooming pups at no cost while raising money for others. Since then, he’s expanded his m...

Heroic Flags for Frontline Workers: Lorenzo Liberti

December 10, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 27.1 MB

Last year, 14-year-old Lorenzo Liberti discovered a passion to honor and help veterans in his community who were in need. Using his artistic talents, he carved beautiful, 3-foot long American flags by hand to benefit a local charity. When the COVID-19 crisis hit the country, he realized his flags could also help honor and support frontline healthcare workers across the US. Today, his heroic flags hang in hospitals around the country as an emblem of hope and thanks to the people working there...

The Power of Vulnerability: Ra Ra Rollins

December 04, 2020 05:00 - 34 minutes - 38.8 MB

Ra Ra Rollins is a full-time student at New York University and is going for his master’s degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness, with a focus on LGBTQ+ communities. However, Ra Ra’s journey to this path was not linear and he’s had to overcome a myriad of obstacles to make it a reality. One thing he’s learned throughout this journey is that, although it can be terrifying to put yourself out there, vulnerability can lead to beautiful things.

Frontline Workers Counseling Project: Dr. Ania Wertz & Dr. Elizabeth Rawson

November 27, 2020 05:00 - 30 minutes - 33.8 MB

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, frontline workers have been risking their lives every day to keep vital services going for those who need it. Many of them need support themselves but don’t have the time or energy to seek it out. In response, a group of mental health professionals created a solution that allows frontline workers to easily access therapy—free of charge.

So Much More Than a Shower: Mark Lytal

November 19, 2020 05:00 - 30 minutes - 34.4 MB

Mark Lytal isn’t one to take a hot shower for granted. He never forgot his 20 years in the US Air Force, when deployment would often mean long stretches of time without running water and nothing but baby wipes to keep himself clean. His experience eventually motivated him to create a volunteer-led organization that provides hot showers and hygiene products to folks experiencing homelessness. To date, he’s helped thousands of people stay safe, clean, and hopeful.

Madi & Vashti Wilson: Joy in a Crayon Box

November 12, 2020 05:00 - 26 minutes - 29.7 MB

When 8-year-old Madi Wilson noticed that there weren’t any crayons at school that matched her skin color, she told her mom she felt sad. Motivated to help all kids feel seen and represented, she launched a project to help deliver multicultural books & art supplies to classrooms in her school—and it grew bigger than she ever imagined.

#WeWalkWithShawn: Shawn Dromgoole

November 06, 2020 05:00 - 43 minutes - 48.4 MB

Shawn Dromgoole's family has lived in the same Nashville neighborhood for over 50 years, and he has lived there for his entire life. After hearing about the deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, Shawn became fearful of walking alone in his own neighborhood and shared his frustrations online. What happened next was a show of support that Shawn never expected, and it has grown into an entire movement across the country.

Empowering Cuts: Josh Santiago

October 29, 2020 04:00 - 40 minutes - 61.5 MB

Josh Santiago knew he wanted to be a barber from a young age. What he couldn’t have imagined is that he’d end up taking his skills to the streets and offering haircuts to those most in need—completely free of charge. In the last five years, Josh has used his talents as a barber to brighten thousands of people’s lives in his Philadelphia community and beyond, and he has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Love for Seniors During COVID: Hita Gupta

October 22, 2020 04:00 - 23 minutes - 25.2 MB

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, 15-year-old Hita Gupta received a disappointing phone call. The local nursing home where she regularly volunteered was letting her know that she wouldn’t be able to visit again anytime soon due to the high risk for their residents. Hita was worried that the seniors would be lonely with no visitors, and she wanted to make sure that they felt loved and taken care of. What started out as a simple act of kindness turned into something mu...

Cool and Dope: Kid Hero Cavanaugh Bell (and Mom, Llacey)

October 16, 2020 04:00 - 22 minutes - 24.2 MB

When 7-year-old Cavanaugh Bell was bullied, he said he felt a darkness inside him. He didn’t want other kids to feel the same way, so he asked his mom if she could help him spread some positivity in the world. Now, they have started their own nonprofit organization that advocates for bullying prevention, and they have pivoted their efforts to serve communities in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Hugs Around the World: David Sylvester

October 09, 2020 04:00 - 32 minutes - 39.2 MB

In the aftermath of 9/11, David Sylvester, like so many other Americans, was feeling immense pain and anguish. He really wanted to do something to help, but didn’t know where to start. Then, he discovered one very simple but powerful thing that did help on a profound level—a hug. And that simple concept has turned into a 19-year-long mission to repair the fabric of humanity, one hug at a time.

Brown Girls Doc Mafia: Iyabo Boyd

October 02, 2020 04:00 - 33 minutes - 36.3 MB

Iyabo Boyd is the founder of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, an initiative advocating for over 4,000 women and non-binary people of color working in the documentary film industry from around the world. COVID-19 has impacted the filmmaking community hard, and also disproportionately affects people of color. To support their community in a time of great need, Iyabo and a team of volunteers launched a fundraiser—and the response was bigger than they ever expected.

Every Body Farms: Jenny Hernandez and Jessica Nelson

September 25, 2020 04:00 - 40 minutes - 43.4 MB

Common Roots Farm in Santa Cruz, California is a very special place. Not only do they produce delicious fruits and vegetables, they are also a non-profit, volunteer-based farm whose mission is rooted in creating a space that fosters full inclusion of people of all abilities, to farm together in partnership.

Where Are They Now? with Khloe Thompson

September 18, 2020 04:00 - 19 minutes - 21.8 MB

When Khloe Thompson was 9 years old, she started asking her mother questions about people experiencing homelessness. After learning more, she knew she wanted to help. What started out as a simple idea to give someone a care bag with necessities has turned into an entire movement. And 4 years later, Khloe is more inspired than ever to keep making big things happen.

Paying It Forward: Alx Uttermann & Brad Keimach

September 11, 2020 04:00 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MB

When Brad Kaimack received a tax refund that he wasn’t expecting, he knew he wanted to use it to do something kind for someone else. After hearing a story about the CEO of Chobani Yogurt paying off lunch debt for an entire school district, Brad decided to ask around in his local community to see if any schools nearby had the same problem. With the help of his partner Alx Utterman, this simple idea turned into something incredible that helped more families than they ever imagined.

I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams: Brianna Meeks

September 03, 2020 20:58 - 21 minutes - 48.3 MB

Brianna Meeks has an offbeat but clear-headed dream to win back something that’s incredibly meaningful to her family. And after thirteen long years of wishing, she finally has the chance to make it come true. This is a story about family and history, of sorrow and hope, and above all... resilience and reclamation.

True Stories of Good People

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