Neighbors of all ages smiling as they share a basket of fresh produce on a tree-lined street at golden hour

Nextperson.org · A community kindness initiative

Helping the Next Person

A little kindness can change someone's tomorrow.

Explore Our Mission Read Kindness Stories
An older person and a younger person holding hands across a kitchen table over a cup of tea

About Us · Our Mission

Kindness that reaches the next person, and the next.

Next Person exists to inspire people to make a positive difference in the lives of others through everyday acts of kindness, compassion, encouragement, and community support.

We believe that most people want to help; they just need a nudge, an idea, or a reminder that small things matter. A warm word to a tired cashier. A meal for a family in a hard season. A ride, a note, a listening ear. These moments ripple outward in ways we rarely get to see.

  • KindnessSimple, intentional acts that brighten someone's day.
  • CompassionSeeing people fully and meeting them where they are.
  • Practical supportReal help with real needs: meals, rides, time, and resources.
A young woman leaving a potted plant and an encouraging note on a neighbor's doorstep

The Next Person Project

Do one thoughtful thing for the next person you meet.

The Next Person Project is a simple invitation: notice the person in front of you, and do something kind, on purpose.

  1. Notice

    Look up and pay attention. Who could use encouragement, help, or simply to be seen today?

  2. Act

    Choose one thoughtful act. It doesn't have to be big; it just has to be genuine.

  3. Pass it on

    Encourage the person you helped, or a friend, to look for their own "next person."

Today's kindness idea

Write a handwritten note thanking someone who made a difference in your life.

Pay Kindness Forward

Practical ways to help, wherever you are.

Kindness looks different in every setting. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started.

A man helping an elderly neighbor carry grocery bags up her front steps

Neighbors

  • Carry groceries or take out bins for an older neighbor
  • Shovel a walkway or rake leaves next door
  • Introduce yourself to someone new on your street
A family preparing home-cooked meals in containers to deliver to another family

Families

  • Drop off a meal for new parents or a grieving family
  • Offer an hour of babysitting so parents can rest
  • Share outgrown clothes, toys, or school supplies
A coworker bringing coffee to a colleague at a bright office desk

Coworkers

  • Bring someone their favorite coffee on a hard day
  • Publicly credit a colleague for their great work
  • Check in with the quiet person on the team
A stranger sharing an umbrella with another person at a rainy city bus stop

Strangers

  • Share your umbrella or hold the door with a smile
  • Pay for the coffee of the next person in line
  • Leave a generous tip and a kind note

Community Voices · Kindness Stories

Small moments, lasting impact.

Uplifting stories and experiences from people who helped, or were helped by, the next person.

The stories below are sample content shown for illustration only. They will be replaced with real stories as they are submitted.

Sample story

"After my surgery, a neighbor I'd only waved to quietly mowed my lawn every week for a month. I never asked. That simple act made me feel like I truly belonged on our street."

Maria, sample nameNeighbor kindness
Sample story

"I was short at the grocery checkout and ready to put things back. The man behind me just smiled and covered it. He said, 'Someday you'll help the next person.' I have, many times since."

James, sample nameStranger kindness
Sample story

"During my first week at a new job, a coworker invited me to lunch and showed me the ropes. It sounds small, but it turned a scary transition into the start of a real friendship."

Aisha, sample nameWorkplace kindness
Share Your Kindness Story
Community volunteers sorting donated food and clothing together at a community center

Helping Hands · Coming soon

A directory of community resources is on the way.

We're building Helping Hands, a friendly, easy-to-search directory connecting people with local support and the organizations that provide it.

  • Food & meals

    Food pantries, community meals, and grocery assistance.

  • Housing & shelter

    Emergency shelter, rent help, and housing guidance.

  • Health & wellbeing

    Clinics, mental health support, and caregiver resources.

  • Volunteer groups

    Local organizations looking for helping hands like yours.

Get Involved

Be someone's next person.

There's a place for everyone in this movement. Start small, stay consistent, and invite others along.

Take the pledge

Commit to one intentional act of kindness each week for the next month.

Share your story

Tell us about kindness you've given or received. Your story could inspire someone else.

Spread the word

Invite friends, family, coworkers, and your faith or community groups to join in.

A diverse group of volunteers laughing together while planting trees in a sunny park

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Aesop

Share an encouraging story

We read every story. With your permission, we may feature it in Community Voices.

By submitting, you agree that we may use these details as described in our Privacy Policy.

Contact

We'd love to hear from you.

Questions, partnership ideas, or just want to say hello? Reach out anytime.

The best way to reach us is the contact form. Send a message using the form and we'll reply to the email address you provide. Want to share a kindness story instead? Use the story form.

Send us a message

By submitting, you agree that we may use these details as described in our Privacy Policy.