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A Special Thanksgiving Message
Welcome, dedicated GROW (Guidance Redefines Our Way) Readers, and Happy Thanksgiving! Some of you are off work this week, and your kids are out of school. I wanted to provide some inspiration while you prepare your Thanksgiving meal and deal with the kids and other family members on Thursday. Thanksgiving is a time to take inventory and thank the people around us. We have a few articles that discuss this and much more. For example, science reveals that focusing on what we have might be the key to unlocking personal and community growth. Research from Harvard Medical School's Mental Health Letter has confirmed what many people have known for years. Gratitude is fundamentally linked to greater happiness and community connection.
But what makes this finding particularly interesting isn't just the individual benefit – it's the ripple effect that transforms entire communities. As we enter this Thanksgiving season, we're exploring how expressing thanks creates waves of positive change that extend far beyond our circles.
"Gratitude is not just about saying 'thank you,'" Harvard researcher Dr. Martin Seligman explains. "It's about recognizing the goodness in our lives and understanding that many sources of this goodness lie outside ourselves." This understanding creates connections, builds bridges, and strengthens the fabric of our communities. And speaking of strengthening communities, mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on December 3rd - a special opportunity to turn our gratitude into action. But first, let's explore the fascinating science behind gratitude's power to transform lives.
Enjoy this issue of GROW and Happy Thanksgiving.
Michael R. Morgan, Editor of GROW and President/Founder of A Few Good MENtors, Inc.
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GROWTH GATEWAY
The Science Behind Gratitude's Power to Transform
Just as mentorship creates positivity throughout a community, gratitude has long-term effects that science is only beginning to understand. Dr. Robert Emmons, a professor at UC Davis and the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude, has discovered impacts that perfectly align with AFGM's mission of transforming lives through meaningful connections.
Through multiple long-term studies, Dr. Emmons and his team uncovered how regular gratitude practice creates significant improvements across multiple areas - improvements we see mirrored in successful mentoring relationships:
Physical Benefits:
Stronger immune systems
Better sleep quality
Higher energy levels
Increased motivation for exercise
Psychological Benefits:
Heightened positive emotions (crucial for mentor-mentee bonds)
Greater joy and optimism
Enhanced resilience during challenges
Better stress management skills
Social Benefits:
Stronger relationships (the foundation of effective mentoring)
Increased generosity
Better leadership skills
Enhanced empathy
From Research to Reality
A particularly relevant study followed participants who wrote in a gratitude journal for just 10 weeks. The results mirror what we see in our mentorship programs: participants were 25% happier, exercised 1.5 hours more per week, and demonstrated notably higher optimism about their future - exactly the kind of positive changes we aim to create through mentoring.
While Dr. Emmons shows us the individual benefits of gratitude, UC Berkeley researchers reveal how these effects multiply in communities.
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INSIGHT EXCHANGE
When Gratitude Meets Research: The Berkeley Study
The UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) launched its groundbreaking research project with a question similar to what drives our mentorship programs: How can we create lasting positive change in communities?
The Birth of the Gratitude Research Project
In 2011, the GGSC embarked on a three-year, $3.1 million initiative called "Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude." Their motivations parallel AFGM's mission:
Address growing mental health concerns
Combat rising loneliness and isolation
Develop accessible well-being interventions
Understand how connection creates change
The Study: Scientific Validation of Mentorship Principles
Their research involved over 1,000 participants, similar to how AFGM has touched countless lives through mentoring. The study designed three groups:
Gratitude Journal Group
Hassles Group
Control Group
The results validate many practices we use in our mentoring programs:
Three Key Discoveries:
Lasting Impact
15% increase in optimism after 10 weeks
35% reduction in depressive symptoms
Improvements measurable 6 months later
Just as our mentorship creates enduring positive change
Success Connection
25% higher academic performance
31% higher workplace productivity
60% more likely to help others
Reflecting on the goals we set for our mentees
Community Multiplication
Grateful individuals were 150% more likely to inspire others
Teams showed 20% higher collaboration
40% more meaningful conversations were reported
Mirroring how our mentors create positive ripples in communities
Our main sponsor, A Few Good MENtors, Inc., is lighting the way for the next generation, providing the mentorship and guidance young people need to confidently navigate their paths to success.
BRIDGE BUILDERS
When Libraries Become More Than Books
As we approach Thanksgiving, we often think about what we're grateful for in our communities. Today, I want to share an inspiring story about how one library's gratitude for its community led to an extraordinary transformation.
A Library That Listened
Imagine walking into your local library and finding books and a place where you can learn to cook, get career counseling, or even borrow tools for your home project. Sounds too good to be true? Well, that's exactly what's happening in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Richland Library, housed in an impressive 240,000-square-foot main branch, has completely reimagined what a library can be. But this transformation didn't happen by accident. It started with a simple yet powerful question: "What does our community really need?"
From Traditional to Transformational
Executive Director Melanie Huggins explains it best: "We have always been in the business of improving people's lives. I think that is the history of public libraries across the globe." But here's where things get interesting. Instead of just talking about improvement, they took action in ways that might surprise you.
Here's what makes this library special:
Support for Job Seekers and Professionals
On-site career counselors help community members find and prepare for jobs
Professional development resources and workshops
Meeting spaces for remote workers and entrepreneurs
Learning Through Doing
A teaching kitchen where neighbors gather to learn cooking skills
A woodworking shop for hands-on skill development
Regular workshops and classes in various life skills
Community Resource Sharing
An innovative "library of things" where people can borrow tools and equipment
A seed library promoting sustainable gardening
Weekly farmers market supporting local producers
Social Support Services
Social workers are available for those needing assistance
Safe, welcoming spaces for unhoused community members
Dedicated areas for children and teens to learn and grow
Why This Matters
Think about it: this library is expanding its role in a world where many community spaces are disappearing. They've recognized that books alone aren't enough—people need places to connect, learn, and grow together.
"We think of our spaces as places to learn, to share, to create," Huggins notes, "and we create quiet spaces and let the rest of the library just be vibrant and active."
The Impact
The results have been remarkable:
Community members finding jobs through career services
Families learning healthy cooking on tight budgets
People save money by borrowing tools instead of buying them
Isolated individuals find connection and purpose
Children and teens discover safe spaces to learn and create
Learning from Richland's Example
What makes this story so powerful isn't just what they did—it's how they did it. They:
Listened to community needs
Thought creatively about solutions
Weren't afraid to try new things
Kept evolving based on feedback
Taking Action in Our Communities
You might think, "This is great, but I'm not a library director." Here's the thing: we can all apply these principles in our own ways. Whether you're:
A business owner considering how to serve your community better
A teacher looking to transform your classroom
A neighbor wanting to create more connections on your street
A community member with skills to share
The key starts with gratitude for what exists and a vision for what could be.
Your Challenge This Week: Look around your community. What space could be transformed? What needs aren't being met? How could you help bridge that gap?
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Good News
Modern Villages: How Today's Parents Are Reimagining Community Support
As we've explored gratitude and community transformation in our previous sections, here's an uplifting story about how modern families adapt the age-old wisdom of "it takes a village" to today's world.
The Changing Face of Family Support
Remember the old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child"? According to a fascinating new study by The Goddard School, that village is getting a modern makeover. They surveyed 2,000 parents of young children, and what they found tells us something important about how community support is evolving.
Then vs. Now: What's Changed?
The Numbers Tell a Story:
Nearly 80% of parents say their support system looks different from what they experienced growing up
Modern parents rely on an average of 7 people (compared to 8 in their childhood)
Friends are now playing a bigger role, sometimes even more than extended family
But here's what hasn't changed: grandparents still reign supreme as the top supporters
Why This Matters
The impact of these modern villages is remarkable:
87% of parents report improved social and emotional development in their children
Parents can spend more quality time with their kids
Daily tasks like cooking and errands become more manageable
Parents feel more present through different stages of childhood
Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president at The Goddard School, beautifully puts it: "Raising children today is like steering a ship through a storm; it can be tumultuous and unnerving, and without a compass to guide your ship—or a strong support system to help you parent—it's easy to lose your way."
Building Your Modern Village
Looking to strengthen your support system? Here are some practical tips:
Know What You Need
Need parenting conversation partners?
Are you looking for childcare swap opportunities?
Want homework help resources?
Tap Into Community Resources
Check out public library programs
Explore recreation facility activities
Look for free or low-cost family events
Embrace Online Communities
Join local parent groups on social media
Connect with other families digitally
Consider starting your own online community
The Future of Community Support
Parents expressed interest in expanding their villages through:
More family gatherings
Educational workshops
Cultural celebrations
Social events
Why This News Matters Now
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, this story reminds us that gratitude extends beyond immediate family. Our modern villages might look different from past ones, but they're just as vital. Whether it's grandparents, friends, or online communities, every support person adds value to the parenting journey.
As Loquasto notes, "Parenting is a journey, and while bumps and detours are inevitable, a strong village goes a long way to helping make the journey as smooth and rewarding as possible for the entire family."
WRAPPING UP and LOOKING AHEAD
From Gratitude to Giving: Making an Impact This Holiday Season
As we wrap up our Thanksgiving edition, I want to shift our focus to an important upcoming date: Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2024. This global day of giving has become a powerful movement that transforms gratitude into action.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Born in 2012 as a simple idea, Giving Tuesday has grown into a global generosity movement, inspiring millions to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. It's strategically positioned after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, reminding us that the holiday season is more than shopping – it's about making a difference in our communities.
Your Gift's Impact on A Few Good MENtors
When you support AFGM on Giving Tuesday, you're not just donating but investing in community transformation. Your contribution directly supports the following:
1. Core Mentoring Services
One-on-one mentoring programs
Group mentorship sessions
Professional development workshops
Leadership training for youth
2. Mercer & Margaret Morgan Education Scholarship Fund
Supporting educational dreams
Creating opportunities for deserving students
Building Future Community Leaders
Breaking down financial barriers to education
3. Community Expansion
Launch of our new Central Virginia Chapter
Reaching more youth who need mentorship
Training new mentors
Creating sustainable community programs
Make December 3rd Count
![Giving Tuesday Donation Button] (Click the image above to make your contribution)
Your gift, no matter the size, creates ripples of change:
$25 provides materials for one mentoring session
$50 supports mentor training
$100 funds a month of mentoring for one youth
$500 contributes to our scholarship fund
$1,000 helps establish our new chapter
Looking Ahead
Please mark your calendars for our next newsletter on December 3rd, where we'll explore an often-overlooked topic: etiquette skills for all ages. We'll challenge the notion that etiquette is just for young people and discover how these skills can transform professional and personal relationships at any stage of life.
Before We Go
As you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, remember that gratitude and giving go hand in hand. Your support helps us build bridges, transform lives, and strengthen communities.
Save the Date: December 3, 2024 – Giving Tuesday Next Newsletter: "Etiquette: Not Just Your Grandmother's Rules"
With gratitude,
Michael Morgan President/Founder, A Few Good MENtors, Inc. Editor, G.R.O.W. Newsletter
"Guidance Redefines Our Way"