Every community is built on small, everyday moments. A neighbor checking in. A kind word at the right time. Someone choosing to help, even when they don’t have to.
If you’ve ever looked for ways to help your community, you’ve probably already done more than you realize. Because kindness doesn’t always look like a grand gesture. More often, it’s quiet, simple, and deeply human.
This year, we’re inviting you to take one small step further, not by doing something extraordinary, but by recognizing that the small things you do already matter. And when they’re shared, they can inspire something even bigger. In honour of our 170th anniversary, we’re calling it 170 Acts of Kindness.
A Community Legacy, 170 Years in the Making
For 170 years, Maryvale has been part of the fabric of Los Angeles, not as a single voice, but as a place where compassion shows up through people.
That story began in 1856, when five Daughters of Charity responded to a growing city with no formal child welfare system. They didn’t wait for perfect conditions. They saw a need and chose to act, opening the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum and welcoming children from all backgrounds with care and dignity.
Since then, thousands of children and families have found safety, support, and new beginnings through Maryvale. And while programs and services have evolved, from early education and mental health care to housing and family support, the heart of the work has remained the same: people showing up for one another.
Today, that legacy continues not just through services, but through community.
The 170 Acts of Kindness initiative is an extension of that history, a reminder that meaningful change has always started with individuals choosing to care. This milestone isn’t just about looking back. It’s about recognizing that the same spirit of compassion still lives in everyday actions across our neighborhoods.
And now, it’s your turn to be part of that story.
Small Actions That Strengthen Communities
It’s easy to underestimate the impact of a small act of kindness. But research shows that even simple gestures can improve well-being, reduce stress, and strengthen social connections.
More importantly, kindness creates momentum. When one person shows up, others follow. A single act can ripple outward, reaching people you may never meet, but still impact. That’s how stronger, more connected communities are built.
If you’ve ever wondered how to give back to your community, the answer doesn’t have to be complicated. It starts with noticing what’s around you. Who might need support? Where could a small gesture make someone’s day a little easier? There’s no single right way to show up. That’s what makes it powerful.
This Story Belongs to You
The idea behind 170 Acts of Kindness is simple: what if a community came together to make kindness visible?
This initiative invites neighbors, families, caregivers, alumni, and community members to take part in something shared. The goal is to reach 170 acts of kindness by the end of the year, each one done by someone choosing to show up in their own way.
This isn’t about doing something big. It’s about doing something meaningful and creating a space for people to lead with their actions.
Want to Help Your Community? Start Here
If you’re not sure where to begin, you’re not alone. Sometimes the hardest part is simply choosing a starting point.
Here are a few community engagement ideas to inspire your first step:
- Check in on a neighbor or someone you haven’t heard from in a while
- Write a note of encouragement to a friend, teacher, or caregiver
- Offer to help someone with errands or daily tasks
- Donate clothing, food, or supplies to a local family or organization
- Spend time listening to someone who needs support
- Pick up litter in your neighborhood or local park
- Share a meal with someone who might be going through a difficult time
- Mentor or encourage a young person in your community
If you’re looking for volunteer ideas for families, consider doing something together, like preparing care packages, helping at a local event, or simply choosing one small act each week as a household.
The most important thing to remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be intentional.
What Happens When a Community Shows Up
Something powerful happens when kindness becomes visible. It reminds people they’re not alone. It creates connections in places where there weren’t any before. It turns everyday moments into something shared.
One act leads to another. One story encourages the next. Over time, those individual moments begin to tell a much bigger story, shaped by a community choosing to care for one another. That’s how real impact happens.
Start with One Act
You don’t need a plan. You don’t need the perfect idea. Just start with one moment: a conversation, a small gesture, a decision to show up for someone else. There are many ways to help your community, and they all start right where you are, with what you have.
