Swandeh Terhide

On the grounds of a decommissioned prison, an innovative program called Growing Change is transforming lives through sustainable farming. Founded in 2011, this organization addresses the root causes of social issues by converting abandoned prisons into year-round farming and education centers. Growing Change brings together at-risk youth on the brink of the criminal justice system and unemployed veterans returning from service. The veterans mentor the young men, teaching them life skills, sustainable farming practices, and animal husbandry while providing a therapeutic environment. The initiative has expanded to include young men facing challenges such as unstable home lives and mental health issues, aiming to intervene before they enter the justice system. The program boasts a remarkable 92% reduction in recidivism rates among participants, compared to the national average of 43%. As Noran Sanford, the founder, states, “At the core level, we are instilling hope,” emphasizing the importance of hope in preventing negative outcomes. Participants work to rehabilitate neglected land and learn valuable skills, while veterans pursue degrees in environmental sciences and sustainable agriculture. This model not only benefits individuals but also improves the communities they serve by addressing food insecurity and health issues associated with a lack of fresh produce. Practical experience suggests that correction rooted in love, combined with rewards for positive behavior, yields better results than punishment alone. Even in the most challenging circumstances, our focus should remain centered on humanity. This approach can serve as a model for communities everywhere, showcasing the power of collaboration and hope in overcoming societal challenges.

In 2023, Canadian farmers produced a record potato crop, leading to a massive surplus, especially in western provinces like Manitoba. One Manitoba farmer, Isaiah Hofer, had 12 million pounds of excess potatoes after fulfilling his regular orders. Rather than let the potatoes go to waste, Hofer teamed up with the Farmlink Project, a US food rescue charity, to donate the surplus to food banks and charities across North America. The potatoes were distributed to over 50 organizations in Ottawa alone within just over a week. The donations helped address the dramatic spike in food insecurity in Canada since last year. Farmlink has rescued around 100 million pounds of surplus food from farms since 2020 and distributed it to food banks. True humanity requires us to look beyond our own needs and consider the struggles of others. As we enjoy our meals, let’s take a moment to reflect on those who, for reasons beyond their control, may be going to bed hungry. In the spirit of compassion, no one should have to experience hunger. Let’s be intentional in our efforts to end this crisis together.

A retiree rescuer hiked half a kilometer through a winter whiteout to reach a woman that had used social media to alert the local neighborhood that she was stuck and afraid for her safety. At 80-years old, Andre Bouvier Sr. is being hailed as a hero for rescuing not only the woman, but three other cars likewise stuck in an impassable blizzard which locals describe as a “Saskatchewan Screamer.” Many have had the same thought as Shannon St. Onge when looking at the approach of snow on a weather forecast—that they have time to finish their errands. The director of finance at the First Nations University of Canada, her signature on a check required her to drive her usual commute of 25 kilometers (15 miles) from her home in Pense, over to the city of Regina. As she was leaving, the winter snow began to fall, and taking a dirt road for better traction on her tires, she quickly became lost, with no ability to see more than a sliver of the road’s edge from a rolled-down window. After a while she stopped and called 911, with the operator suggesting she wait out the storm as her tank was full and she was warm. “She (the operator) took my information and told me an officer would call me back. Almost 14 hours and counting and nobody has called me yet to check in,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “Would the gas tank last until morning? What if I was hit by another vehicle? What if I fell asleep and the tailpipe was blocked? What if I didn’t make it home at all?” St. Onge wondered. Determined to ensure the safest end to her turn for the worse, she went out in the storm and discovered her location on a road sign, then found a neighborhood Facebook group for the area she was passing through—alerting those it contained of her plight through a Google Maps pin. That’s when Andre Bouvier Sr., doing some at-home genealogy research, got a call about St. Onge’s situation, and bundling up while ignoring his wife’s concern for his safety, the 80-year-old went out to find her, on foot, since he couldn’t manage to start his tractor. On the way he found three other stranded vehicles, totaling seven people, and walking the quarter mile there and back, he led the helpless cars one by one to his home. Bouvier let all of them sleep at his house, where they ate and laughed, and departed the next morning after he had plowed the driveway. Bouvier remarked that everyone would have done the same, and that it took very few thoughts or courage to help. So, you see; you’re neither too young nor too old to help anyone. Only open up your mind and Try A Little Kindness.

A courageous woman in India, Omvati Devi, potentially saved hundreds of lives by waving her red sari to alert an approaching train after spotting broken tracks ahead. Realizing the danger, she swiftly flagged down the train, allowing the driver to stop just in time, preventing a disaster for the 150 to 200 passengers on board in Uttar Pradesh. Devi recounted, “I was on my way for routine work when I discovered the broken track. Knowing this could lead to a tragedy, I remembered that red signifies danger. I used my sari to signal.” Although the driver offered her 100 rupees in gratitude, she humbly declined the money, emphasizing her selfless act. Reflecting on this, it goes without saying, that there is something anyone and everyone can do for humanity. One mustn’t break the bank to be kind. A gesture as small as removing that hedge on the road, that’s obstructing smooth traffic flow will go a long way. Be intentional, be selfless, be kind too.

When discussing the concept of being in the right place at the right time, 16-year-old Corion Evans exemplified this when he witnessed a car carrying three teenage girls plunge into a river in Mississippi. Recognized as a hero, Evans, a skilled swimmer, successfully rescued all three girls and a police officer who had jumped in to assist but found himself in distress. The incident occurred around 2:30 AM at the I-10 boat ramp in Moss Point, Mississippi. The girls’ vehicle, following GPS directions, drove off the ramp and floated approximately 25 yards into the Pascagoula River before beginning to sink. They managed to escape the car and climbed onto its roof, where they called for help. Upon hearing their cries, Evans quickly removed his shirt and shoes, leaving his phone behind, and dove into the water. “I was just like, ‘I can’t let none of these folks die,’” Evans recounted, noting that he had been swimming since the age of three. He swam towards the girls, determined to help them out of the water. Moss Point Police Officer Gary Mercer arrived shortly after and also entered the water to assist. However, during the rescue, Mercer encountered trouble when one of the girls panicked, causing him to go under and swallow water. Evans noticed the officer struggling and immediately swam over to help him, stating, “I see the police officer. He’s drowning. He’s going underwater, drowning, saying, ‘Help!’ So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer and I’m like swimming him back until I feel I can walk. ” Together with his friend Karen Bradley, Evans managed to bring the girls and Officer Mercer safely to shore, despite the exhausting nature of the rescue. Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley praised Evans’s bravery, emphasizing that his actions prevented a potentially tragic outcome. In respect to this daring stunt, Evans received a certificate of commendation from city officials for his heroism. His mother expressed immense pride in her son’s selflessness, considering how he placed the safety of others over his own.

A Cleveland man is being praised as a hero for his courageous actions in rescuing an infant trapped inside a burning house. John Stickovich, 62, was on his way to work when he saw smoke pouring from a two-story house and immediately drew closer to assess the situation.  “The mother was sitting on the… lawn with her one baby and I asked her if she was all right and she said, ‘My baby is still in the house,’ and I was thinking to myself, ‘Oh my God, I have to save the baby.’ That’s how it was going to be,” Stickovich told Nexstar’s WJW. Circling the house, he tried to go in through the side door, but kicking it in, he found the smoke and fire was too much. At the back of the house, another door was already open, and Stickovich crawled in to search for the baby before being driven back out empty-handed. He asked the mother where she last saw her child, to which she replied that it was next to the baby gate. Plunging once more into the inferno, Stickovich sought in vain with time and oxygen running short. Contemplating what to do, the thought of saving himself emerged, but the hero-to-be squashed it after hearing the infant making a sound. Leaping toward the sound, he grasped the baby’s leg and, summoning all his remaining strength, pulled the child to safety. The fire had been so severe that two firefighters arriving after Stickovich completed the rescue mission were injured trying to control the blaze. The department said Stickovich’s actions were without doubt the reason that the baby survived. Treated for smoke inhalation at the MetroHealth Medical Center, Stickovich was able to go home the same day, and WJW Cleveland says that it is believed the city is poised to honour the man for his bravery and deep sense of altruism. “I feel incredible that I was able to save the baby. That mother doesn’t have to grieve for her child; that baby gets to live today,” he remarked. “Everyone is calling to commend my actions, but I would do it for anyone—it doesn’t matter. I would hope someone would do the same for me.” These were John’s heartfelt comments following his daring rescue. Truly, when the heart of a man is filled with kindness, compassion and empathy, there’s hardly anything he won’t do to save a life.