

November 2017

¿Cómo podemos trabajar juntos para solucionar problemas, crear comunidades fuertes y mejorar nuestro bienestar colectivo? Este es un verdadero desafío, que con frecuencia se deja en manos de los representantes del gobierno. No obstante, Peter MacLeod, un experto de Toronto en participación ciudadana destaca que la fuente del liderazgo público puede, en realidad, estar dirigida por el público (o como a veces MacLeod se refiere a ellos, a los constructores de establos.

¿Cómo es en realidad trabajar en la biblioteca? El verano pasado, Samantha Martínez, de 16 años, y Lisette Zamora-Galarza, de 18, ambas de Commerce City, Colorado, descubrieron después de haber sido seleccionadas para participar en la Iniciativa de Pasantías Inclusivas (Inclusive Internship Initiative, III), un programa que ofrece la Asociación de Bibliotecas Públicas.

With the rise of companies like TOMS and Warby Parker, who give back with every product sold, social entrepreneurship is seeing its own renaissance. Companies across various industries are using innovative thinking to create businesses and products that not only create profits, but solve problems as well.

Take a look at some local and international businesses that are using their products and skills to make a difference.

Born out of a need to take action in supporting women in the sciences, 500 Women Scientists has a slightly misleading name. With an original goal of getting 500 signatures in response to an open letter, the Colorado-based organization now boasts more than 20,000 supporters and a network of small community chapters designed to mentor and support women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

When the cold winds blow and the snows begin to fall, many of us feel the urge to go into hibernation mode. We bundle up and sink into a blue mood, not wanting to leave the house, and our health often suffers the effects of this seasonal change. In our culture, winter is typically the time of lethargy and overindulgence, and these behaviors, coupled with the low-grade depression that is common this time of year, can wreak havoc on your body, mind and spirit.

Study after study has shown that having gratitude can lead to greater personal happiness. What is it about doing something for others that leads to greater joy in our own lives? Let’s take a look at the health and happiness benefits that can come with spreading joy.

Happiness is...

Happiness is contagious. Over the course of 20 years, the Framingham Heart Study found that those who physically surround themselves with happy people experience more individual happiness themselves.

In 2013, I had an amazing opportunity to serve in AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). AmeriCorps NCCC is a program for 18-24 year olds who would like to serve their country by giving a year of their life to national community service. The program is team-based, and the team travels together from five to six

We recently had Sunday supper with my son and his family. Before dinner began, they introduced a new tradition. Each week, a member of the family would be the recipient of the family trophy. The first to win the trophy was my 9-year-old grandson. He had demonstrated two key values: teamwork and health. I asked him how it felt to be the first to win the values award. “Good,” he said. “It feels good.”