Active Relationships Center

04/24/2026

Each April, we celebrate the strength, courage, resilience and bravery of military children. Thank you!

Active Relationships is grateful for the opportunity to serve military kids and their families. ARC’s 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 program builds life and relationship skills through races, art, games, stories and positive experiences for stronger connections. Visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training to learn more!

In recognition of our awesome military children, The Fort McCoy Command Team is joined by some of those great kids from Tomah and Sparta Schools for this year's celebration video. A special thanks to School Superintendents Mr. Sam Russ from the Sparta Area School District and Dr. Mike Hanson from th...

04/20/2026

More than 25 years ago, Dallas police officer Joe Chatham started the Empower Your Future program, which has transformed into a foundation to help kids embrace the power of perseverance.

Now retired, he’s expanded that sense of unity and connection to the host of people he encounters on his morning neighborhood bike rides. Joe’s two words of choice, “Morning Morning” are catching on and spreading joy and positivity. A great way to start the week.

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

A bicyclist, and former DPD officer, logs thousands of miles a year giving greetings, proving the smallest gestures can speak the loudest.

04/16/2026

Twenty years of smiles and hellos.

Air Force veteran Bob Jones has been waving to the kids on the buses that pass his house on the way to school for as long as he can remember. He’s really left an impression on them, and for his milestone birthday, they wanted to do the same for him.

Worthy of a salute.

For more about building strong relationships, close families and resilient communities, visit activerelationships.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l23eL37vm7s

For two decades, Air Force veteran Bob Jones has waved to school buses from his porch each morning. On his 95th birthday, neighbors organized a parade of hon...

04/11/2026

In the Paralympic spirit, the Dallas Stars adaptive sled hockey team serves as a way to come together, encourage others, be active and have fun.

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 learn more!

Watch how Team USA’s Paralympic sled hockey gold is boosting a new push to spotlight adaptive sports with the Dallas Stars adaptive hockey team.

04/06/2026

A physical education teacher in Brooklyn started Sports United during the pandemic as a way to get them outside and help them learn about sports that may not be the first to come to mind.

The program encourages teamwork, unity, character-building, sportsmanship, leadership and the meaning of good competition.

Also used in schools and with the youth community, 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 (ARYA) introduces and nurtures valuable life skills that enable youth to improve their relationships and psychological health. For more information, visit activerelationships.com/schools-youth-community.

Sports United is a Brooklyn nonprofit helping students across New York City reach their full potential by giving them free access to a diverse range of sport...

03/31/2026

As we wrap up Brain Injury Awareness Month, Ritaann Schultz, a Navy veteran and traumatic brain injury survivor, is also an avid cyclist. The Florida resident recently pedaled 155 miles in 10 hours to support brain injury awareness and research.

To learn how 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬’ military programs help service members and veterans build resilience and readiness, visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training.

Time for something good featuring a marathon bike ride for an importance cause.

03/27/2026

“𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 – 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚! 𝐼 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔.”

Second grade teacher Klarissa Trevino gave the kids she sees every day pieces of paper to write down their ultimate marriage advice. It spanned everything from “care for each other” to “not eating each other’s snacks.”

At 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, we help you build positive connections to others. Learn more about our programs at activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula.

Before her wedding, second-grade teacher Klarissa Trevino turned to her students for marriage advice. They had suggestions on everything from morning coffee to flowers to love. Hallie Jackson reports.

03/21/2026

𝑆𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒.

Denise Bush began crocheting scarves for military moms to keep herself busy after her son deployed with the Navy. She’s now completed about 500 of these personal mementos.

“They’re very simple stitches,” Denise said. “But somehow, I think it’s magic – when it gets to the mom, and the mom puts it on – I think it’s beautiful to me too. And the moms are so happy … it makes me feel connected to the military moms. I know they miss their kids too.”

Introverted, Denise’s skills have allowed her to find a supportive, thankful community.

“We’re a whole village,” one recipient said. “Wearing this just reminds me every day that no matter how hard my day is, there are so many other moms going through the same thing.”

The handiwork creates a connection between fellow military moms and those moms and their service member children.

“To be able to walk around my hometown and have this with me – it’s like taking my babies with me everywhere I go,” said Dori Matthews, another scarf recipient.

ARC supports our service members and their families with the tools and training to excel during their missions and keep their families close by building strong, healthy and resilient relationships. Visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training for more details on our programs for the military community.

Denise Bush, a Fort Worth woman seeking solace through crocheting, has crafted over 500 scarves for fellow military moms, forging a supportive community.

03/17/2026

Team USA will take the field tonight to play for the championship of the World Baseball Classic. Two teammates – Griffin Jax and Paul Skenes – have strong Air Force ties and invited the Falcons baseball team to their matchup against Mexico last week. A captain in the Air Force Reserves, Jax of the Tampa Bay Rays is the first graduate of the Air Force Academy to pitch in the Majors.

"Every guy in that room is proud to represent the United States of America,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said. “But the conversations with them were a little bit different, as far as wanting to represent every serviceman and woman who protects our freedom on a nightly basis. They're thinking a little bit different."

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 proudly serves the military community proudly with programs that focus on resilience, mindfulness and communication. Visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training to learn more.

HOUSTON -- Paul Skenes has dominated on the mound in an Air Force uniform. In an LSU uniform. In a Bradenton Marauders and Altoona Curve and Indianapolis Indians uniform. And of course in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. But the one he's wearing right now is different.

03/13/2026

Josh Sweeney, who scored the goal that won the sled hockey team the gold medal 12 years ago, shares a little bit about his journey to becoming a Paralympian.

“Finding a new unit to be with and really just contributing to something greater than myself really came back into play,” he said.

Sled hockey allowed him to rediscover himself. Sports can help military veterans build confidence and resilience. At the 2026 Paralympics, Josh is competing in cross-country skiing and biathlon.

“The first thing I say is just go try things,” he continued. “Once you try it – stick with it for a little bit, figure out if it’s something you will enjoy, if you will enjoy the process of training or competing or whatever it may be.”

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

03/06/2026

More than 650 athletes will gather in Milano-Cortina as the 2026 Winter Paralympics open today. Team USA features 72 athletes including nine with military ties. Here’s a rundown of who to look for during the 50th anniversary of the competition and 14th Winter Paralympiad, which continues through March 15. 🇺🇸

Like the Paralympics, 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬' military programs build resilience and readiness. Visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training to learn more about our curricula for service members and veterans.

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games begin with Friday’s opening ceremony, with competition March 7-15.  As with the Winter Olympics, NBC, Peacock and USA Network will carry coverage of the Paralympic Games.

03/02/2026

"𝐶𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠."

A Florida fourth-grader struggling at school came back to her desk to find a “noteworthy” pick-me-up from her entire class.

“Words are very powerful and something as simple as some positive words on a sticky note have caused such a positive reaction. Kindness spreads kindness.”

Small acts demonstrate appreciation, care and connection and can strengthen all your relationships. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs empower people of all ages to lead happier, more rewarding lives. To learn more, visit activerelationships.com.

A Florida fourth grader was feeling down about her reading skills, so one of her classmates came up with a way to brighten her day. Students wrote inspiring messages on sticky notes, covering her desk and chair with positive messages to inspire confidence. NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas reports.