Active Relationships Center

12/20/2025

𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠. 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠.

Volunteers at U.S. Army Fort Lee recently gathered to fill 400 hospitality bags for soldiers who will remain on base during the holidays and not be home with their families, many for the first time.

“Our soldiers are far from home during a season that means a lot to many people,” Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Nickea Harris said. “Seeing the community come together like this sends a powerful message that they are valued and never alone here at Fort Lee.”

As Staff Sgt. Adam Garcia put together bags, he reflected on the emotions that come with being away from family for long periods.

“Small gestures like this can make a huge difference,” Garcia said. “These soldiers are working hard every day, and knowing the community cares about them really helps boost morale.”

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 works with chaplains, family readiness, spouse groups and family advocacy, personnel to serve military members and families. Our goal is to help service members keep their families close by building strong, healthy and resilient relationships. To learn more, visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training.

FORT LEE, Va. — The spirit of the season filled the former bowling alley building as community volunteers, Soldiers and installation leaders came together with a shared goal: ensuring Advanced Individual Training service members spending the holidays on post feel supported, appreciated and remembe...

12/17/2025

Looking for a way to calm the holiday hustle and bustle and reconnect with your child? Here’s a suggestion that’s quick and easy but brings with it a meaningful impact.

The University of Virginia School of Education recommends ‘banking time,’ or spending an unstructured 10 minutes playing with your child roughly three times a week. While ‘banking time,’ parents don’t need to lead, ask questions or give instructions. Simply just observe and narrate what he or she is doing and feeling.

“When ‘banking time,’ you are not trying to teach a skill at all,” lead researcher Amanda Williford said. “Rather, your experience of being present for a short period of time can help to center you and your child and strengthen your relationship.”

ARC’s 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 program builds life and relationship skills through races, art, games, stories and positive experiences for stronger connections. Visit activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula to find out more!

A simple relationship-building technique can make a positive impact on families at home during the winter break.

12/13/2025

The Army-Navy game is happening on the gridiron right now. The traditions and history are cornerstones of the storied rivalry.

Traditions bring us together. They create a sense of belonging while connecting us to the past and future. Our holiday traditions help us shape and maintain strong connections. If you or the families you serve are looking to create more meaningful traditions and lasting memories, visit activerelationships.com to learn how ARC programs can help.

From the "prisoner exchange" to a Presidential visit, there's plenty of spectacle beyond the game itself.

12/10/2025

The Beatles song, 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼'𝑚 64, was quite a hit. At 64, after retiring from advertising, Ed Levien followed the call to impact on his community in Bethesda, Maryland, as an EMT. Now, 12 years later, he’s training the next generation.

“He’s a smart guy; he’s a caring guy,” Capt. Gregory Mitchell said of Levien. “It really doesn’t take a lot much more than that. I don’t think anyone doubted that he’d be able to do it.”

𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑨.𝑹.𝑹.𝑰.𝑽.𝑬. helps first responders develop mindfulness, confidence and resilience. Find out more at activerelationships.com/resilience-first-responders.

Against all odds, a retiree passed a test to become an EMT and found his calling in the process. Scott MacFarlane has the story."CBS Evening News" delivers t...

12/07/2025

Today, on a Sunday, we reflect on that infamous Sunday 84 years ago today.

Retired Army Capt. Ken Schubring, 103, shared that his memories of the attack remain “very sharp. Something like that, you can’t forget.”

Ken’s daughter, Besty, called her father, “My hero.” His son, Ken Jr. said very simply, “He’s my rock.” The two of them both work with Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors to keep the story of his service alive.

Ken Jr. summed up the bravery on that day with these words: “The sacrifice … You can’t put a price on that. And you can’t forget it.”

There are only 13 American veterans of the Pearl Harbor attack who are still alive today. Jim Axelrod spoke to 103-year-old retired Army Capt. Ken Schubring.

12/03/2025

A heartfelt reminder on this Giving Tuesday.

“… 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑠, 𝑙𝑒𝑡’𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒, 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑢𝑝.” -Dale Sutherland, nonprofit founder

At 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, we help you build positive connections with others. Learn more about our programs for families, teens, singles and couples at activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula.

Giving Tuesday helps us transforms post-Thanksgiving gratitude into generosity, offering communities a chance to support local nonprofits and global ministries.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Active Relationships! Blessings to all. A special thank you to those who are serving and away from their families today.

11/25/2025

This Thanksgiving week, one mom shares the impact of finding hope, gratefulness and gratitude in the small things.

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs help build strong relationships, close families and resilient communities. To find out more, visit activerelationships.com.

Thanksgiving means it's time to count our blessings, one by one.

11/22/2025

Off-roading therapy for veterans offers a unique sense of belonging while also being therapeutic and enjoyable. Bob Woodruff joins in on the adventure with one enthusiastic group.

To learn how 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬’ military programs also empower service members and veterans, visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training.

ABC News' Bob Woodruff shares the unexpected way some service members are finding healing and community.

11/18/2025

𝐴 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒.

With a little creativity and imagination from her students, a teacher celebrated her upcoming wedding with the entire student body.

"I love my students more than anything," Brianna said. "And I just hope that our students feel as loved as I felt in that moment."

𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 (ARYA) introduces and nurtures valuable life skills that enable youth to improve their relationships and psychological health. For more about how ARC’s programs are used in schools, visit activerelationships.com/schools-youth-community.

Brianna Lanoye, the principal of the Buffalo Academy of Science, kept telling people she wanted to invite the whole school to her wedding. So, her school did the next best thing.

11/13/2025

Today, on World Kindness Day, we are reminded that kindness has the power to spread throughout communities.

There’s been a special connection between Country Place neighbors and their mail carrier, Jeff Gray. Jeff learned early on that the cornerstone of the job was relationships that last. He summed it up, saying, “You don’t need things; you need people.”

Recently retired, he often went above and beyond to connect with the residents on his route and offer a helping hand in ways that may seem minute but meant so much. “No one ever did it like you,” read one letter to him. “He’s delivering love,” another resident added.

Acts that seem simple can impact someone’s day more than you realize. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs empower people to lead happier, more rewarding lives. To learn more, visit activerelationships.com.

After 40 years in one city, 500 homes a day, and millions of mail deliveries, Jeff Gray made his final delivery in June of this year.

11/11/2025

1,111 flags for the community to hear, see and feel, representing gratitude and gratefulness on Veterans Day.

Ean Sullivan started Plano Flags of Honor nine years ago.

“It is a sensory overload,” the program’s founder said. “The wind, the sound of the dog tags, the sound of the honor cards, the sound of the flapping of the flags, it all comes together to give us this experience.” The Vietnam War veteran added, “For me personally, I do this to teach the next generation how important it is to honor the veterans.”

Plano’s Flags of Honor features 1,111 flags to mark Veterans Day, honoring service members with ceremonies, awards and a tribute to Medal of Honor recipients.