Happy Soul Food Friday,
This week:
All I want for my birthday is a little more kindness and good trouble!
No Bystanding. Now is the Moment for Allyship, Advocacy and Agency!
Historically, 80% of San Diegans have reported strong confidence in the social sector with 81% of residents having benefited from the services of a nonprofit in the last year. Yet 80% of organizations reporting an increased demand for services, with 38% or residents seriously thinking about leaving our county- the least affordable city in the US. And this was all pre-January 2025.
Fast forward the tape to March 2025 and the confluence of the sudden, disruptive current administration’s ending of the historic coexistence between the social sector and the government, while targeting:
- DEI (65%)
- Immigration & Citizenship (56%)
- Arts and Culture (43%)
- Gender and Sexual Identity (40%) &
- Science & Research (34%)
And this represents a clear and present danger mandating a call to (open) arms if we intend to meet the moment both for the near-term survival of many nonprofits, as well as, with an eye toward the long-term impacts and implications for societal wellbeing.
We must concurrently attend to the fierce urgency of now and play the long game so the at-risk nonprofits and people they serve can thrive, sustain themselves, and retain their sense of psychological safety and dignity!
This burden of proof does not just fall on nonprofits.
Funders, corporations, and foundations must meet this moment with Allyship, Fiscal Support, Advocacy, stand up and be counted on to serve as a Voice for those who can’t, or are afraid to stand up for themselves.
This is as fundamental to the American ethos as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and today might better be “framed” as the Declaration of Inter-dependence!
Let’s neither miss the opportunity nor waste this crisis.
No bystanding, we need upstanding.
We are here for you and your mission is our mission.
Love,
Neville
Why Is the U.S. Falling in the World Happiness Rankings? Blame a Kindness Recession
This year, the U.S. sank to No. 24 in the World Happiness rankings. What do the likes of Finland and Denmark have that we don’t? More kindness. Mar 22, 2025 Another year, another occasion for Finns to celebrate. For the eighth year in a row, the Nordic country took the top slot in the World Happiness Report rankings, followed by its neighbors Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. Where did the U.S. land? One slot down from last year in a decidedly mediocre No. 24.
Why Is the US Falling in the World Happiness Ranking? Kindness
World Happiness Repot Highlights the Importance of Everyday Kindness:
World Happiness Report Highlights the Importance of…
And here is the report-
World Happiness Report 2025:
In this year’s issue, we focus on the impact of caring and sharing on people’s happiness.
Like ‘mercy’ in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, caring is “twice-blessed” – it blesses those who give and those who receive.
In this report, we investigate both of these effects: the benefits to the recipients of caring behavior and the benefits to those who care for others.
World Happiness Report 2025 | The World Happiness Report
To Make Someone Happy, Ask for Help:
Generosity is like the circulation of the blood, healthiest and best when it goes around and around.
To Make Someone Happy, Ask for Help – The Atlantic
And it’s not just to humans-
International Day of Forests arrives amid concerns over Trump’s sweeping logging agenda
The world celebrates International Day of Forests on Friday, but President Trump aims to expand American logging and roll back reforestation efforts.
International Day of Forests arrives amid concerns over Trump’s sweeping logging agenda : NPR
Can you look at these 9 photos and not smile on International Day of Happiness?
March 20 was International Happiness Day — a day that the United Nations had dedicated to the celebration of joy. We asked photographers around the world to share a picture that can bring bliss.
9 photos to make you smile on International Day of Happiness : Goats and Soda : NPR
If you are local-
Saturday March 29th Strange Crew at Duck Foot Miramar 6-10pm:
My birthday gig with friends and fam!
Strange Crew – Clapton Tribute Night! | Duck Foot Brewing Co
A partial solar eclipse will reconnect us with something far greater than ourselves and remind us that “only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars!”
I am not sure what this energy will bring to the birthday fest, but I promise we will be “all in”!
Come commune, connect, and celebrate with us as I celebrate another journey around the sun!
Be Kind.
Period.
Love,
Neville
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“If you are planning for a year, sow rice;
if you are planning for a decade, plant trees,
if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”
– Chinese proverb
Happy Soul Food Friday! 