When asked my favorite quote of all time, I always end up responding the same way – no matter what is happening in my life or in the world at-large, this one sentiment rings true for me:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi.

Whether it’s the choice I make to live a vegan life, or to help an elderly person get something off the shelf in CVS – this sentiment runs as a constant current in the back of my mind.  I believe that kindness and compassion can really lift us all up.

From a media perspective, when politics and bad news plague the media, these messages creep into my heart bringing with them a sense of gloom and frustration about the world I live in each day. And I step back and think – what could I, as one person, really do to make change about these things that make me so upset?

It’s hard to find the energy to push against the forces in our society that attempt to bring us down – whether  we encounter racism, or sexism, or bigotry of any kind, or if we struggle to break through our socio-economic status. And, when you witness this happening to others, it gets incredibly overwhelming.  

But then I remember I can do something about the things that frustrate me about the world, and how when I feel like I have no power to make change – that really, I do. We all do.  It starts with lending a hand, giving a kind word, and standing up for what you believe in. Whether you want to mentor at risk youth, write letters to politicians about a cause important to you, clean-up parks, or spend time with senior citizens, everything we do can help make this world a better place.

And in May on MiND TV, we celebrate the volunteers and mentors who shape our community with helping hands and a giving spirit. MiND is a different kind of media outlet – which you already know if you watch our channels, or have been keeping up with us for the last two years. We are the kind of media outlet that embraces people’s stories. That wants to broadcast the uplifting work of volunteers and mentors in our community, who illustrate how things can change for the better.

All month long we will showcase stories that give us hope. Stories that show us – remind us – what we are capable of contributing to others in our community. We hope you’ll join into the celebration by watching these great documentaries, and by attending our community screening on May 19^th!

Hope to see you there,

-Kim Kunda

Please become part of the effort this May!

Watch MiND’s special programs for “Volunteerism & Mentoring’ Month for inspiration, every Wednesday at Saturday at 8pm.

Attend our special Volunteer & Screening Event! Help us contribute an hour of clean-up at John Welsh Elementary School, and then enjoy a screening of new 5-minute programs about other people making the world a better place!

Purchase MiND’s Book of the Month for May: “Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships” - support for just $30 and get this amazing book rich with knowledge!

This month is presented in partnership with Greater Philadelphia Cares, AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies, John Welsh Elementary School, People’s Emergency Center, The Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, Leadership Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Senior Center, Philadelphia Reads, and viewers like you! Thank you for your support.