Active Relationships Center

01/14/2026

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛. 𝐻𝑜𝑝𝑒. 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑓-𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ.

For 29 fathers and daughters, these things came through while sharing a dance together, a first-time memory for most.

Organized by God Behind Bars, the program at Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana provides a rare opportunity to bring joy to the present regardless of the past. The afternoon reveals a side of the fathers that prison life often makes difficult to see.

“They become fun, goofy, loving men,” the founder of God Behind Bars said. “I think it’s OK as men to be strong and to be gentle, and I think many of them were taught that you just need to be strong.”

One of the messages of the event is “Purpose beyond this moment.” It’s also a chance to focus on what can be done now to rebuild, restore and heal connections and time lost.

“So often, the children of inmates are forgotten about, and we have to remember that they’re doing time right along with their fathers,” assistant warden Anne-Marie Easley said. “… We need to work with [the dads] and have them be the best fathers that they can be despite where they are.”

ARC’s 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 has been used in prisons to enhance inmate wellness and life skills. The curriculum teaches individuals why taking responsibility for their actions is empowering as they learn to make better choices, manage emotional triggers and gain tools for communicating effectively with respect and integrity. To learn more about our incarcerated and re-entry programs, visit activerelationships.com/incarcerated-re-entry-2.

On this week's "Beg-Knows America," David Begnaud takes "CBS Mornings" inside Angola State Penitentiary, the largest maximum security prison in the U.S., which is running a program focused on fatherhood that's changing lives for many of its inmates.

01/10/2026

Thanks to the nonprofit Dream Flights, World War II veteran B.L. Craighead Jr. relived his glory days in the cockpit of a Stearman biplane to celebrate his 101st birthday.

“When we got up in the air, he was super animated and was just looking out the side the whole time,” pilot Hunter Stuckey said.

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

An Army veteran who served as an aviator during WWII flew again for his 101st birthday, creating an unforgettable moment for him and his family.

01/06/2026

Like this author, as we reflect on the joys, bumps and shifts of the past year, what can we rebuild, renew and restore in 2026?

ARC’s Mastery Series includes 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, which teaches the importance of emotion management and resiliency skills. Find out more at activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula.

How 2026 invites us to rebuild, renew, and restore with purpose.

01/02/2026

Families recently had the opportunity to make core holiday memories together at the Christmas with Dads event at Sanders Sanders Estes Prison in Venus, Texas. Kids sat on their dads’ laps, listened to music, visited with Santa and enjoyed crafts, a return to family life for a few hours.

“This makes it more authentic and personal. Being able to open gifts and not having to just take them home and talk about them,” said Karley Alejo, 16, whose father is serving a 30-year-sentence. “You get to actually be here, to make memories with your family here. It’s amazing.”

Senior warden Brodgrick Price approved the event, organized by Trinity Restoration Ministries and volunteers from local churches. In making his decision, he focused on the possibilities for inmate rehabilitation.

“I am so glad I said yes to this because I can see a lot of lives are being touched,” Price said, adding that some of the inmates were serving 12-, 15- and even 45-year sentences. “For the kids to be able to come in here and sit with them and open a present in front of them, that touches me.”

ARC works a lot with fathers and father figures. Our 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 curriculum teaches communication skills, mindfulness and enhanced confidence and self-belief. Men who have developed these skills are empowered to make wise decisions and positively interact with their families. Our 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 and
𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 programs help fathers, grandfathers and father figures create strong bonds with kids through races, art, games and memories. For more, visit activerelationships.com/focus-fatherhood.

Trinity Restoration Ministries’ holiday gathering in a prison allowed children to celebrate Christmas with their fathers.

12/28/2025

Named in honor of their grandfather who was known for sending greeting cards ‘just because,’ Tom Plumeret’s grandkids started Project Tom in 2019 with the goal of bringing joy and kindness to as many people as possible.

“He helped us in so many ways without realizing that he helped us, and we realized that we could help other people by offering what he offered us to them,” granddaughter Courtney Angelo said.

In the last six years, the Project Tom team has sent more than 16,000 handwritten cards to all 50 states and 30 countries.

Another granddaughter added: “If it’s something that puts a smile on someone’s face, why stop doing it?”

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs empower people to lead happier, more rewarding lives. To learn more, visit activerelationships.com.

12/23/2025

Inspired to spread joy, cheer and music, Tim started Holiday Express to liven up the atmosphere for seasonal celebrations at soup kitchens, shelters, hospices and treatment centers.

The idea first came to him during a visit to St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark, New Jersey, with an NBA basketball player who wanted to volunteer on Christmas Eve. With his musical background, he called on his friends for an assist.

That first year, Tim and 17 of his music mates performed at 10 locations. Now, the network has expanded to 1,000 volunteers and 100 performances for 30,000 people with the finale being at St. John’s Soup Kitchen.

“We try to create the largest holiday party we can for people who otherwise will get nothing,” Tim said.

Small acts demonstrate appreciation, care and connection and can strengthen all your relationships in 2026! Find out how 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs can help build strong relationships and resilient communities at activerelationships.com.

Holiday Express is a New Jersey-based nonprofit spreading holiday cheer to the people who need it most by bringing parties to soup kitchens, hospices and mor...

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.