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Light a Lamp begins November 8. See how to take part →

We imagine a world where

We belong. We contribute. We lead together.

A sunny neighborhood courtyard in the near future: neighbors of every age share a meal at a long table, plan together outside a CooperationEngine and HumanismOS workshop, build garden benches, and work side by side, with gardens, solar roofs and a small delivery drone overhead
Our picture of the world we’re working toward.

Where neighbors and local groups take care of each other.

Post what would make a difference, or what you can give: a meal, a ride, an hour, a skill. Someone in your community answers, and you work out the details together.

Free for individuals. You can look around without an account.

Creating a community opens November 1. Until then, we’re glad to talk with you about yours.

No one should have to carry it all alone.

Most of us carry something others can’t see. Here’s Carry, one of our characters, in eight of those moments. Look at Carry’s heart.

Carry straining under a heavy stone while friends nearby want to help but haven't found a way in
1 of 8 The weight Carrying something too heavy to lift alone.
Carry at a bedside with a sleeping child, smiling bravely while helpers wait quietly at the door
2 of 8 Caring for someone Caring for someone you love, and running on empty.
Carry working late at the kitchen table while neighbors with groceries hesitate at the door
3 of 8 Working, and still falling short Working hard, and still coming up short this month.
Carry at a community table with a polite half-smile, holding bags of responsibilities
4 of 8 Feeling outside Surrounded by people, and still feeling alone.
Carry tired on a sofa while a friend waits patiently nearby with something to share
5 of 8 When reaching out is hard Support is in sight, but reaching for it feels hard.
Carry wearing a striped scarf, unsure, as welcoming neighbors look on
6 of 8 The pressure to hide Wondering if you'll be welcomed as you are.
Carry looking after children and an elder, smiling to reassure everyone while looking tired
7 of 8 At every age Being the one everyone leans on.
A whole community gathered around Carry, sharing the load, Carry's heart glowing warmly again
8 of 8 Care needs a way to connect Then the load is shared, and the light comes back.

A ride, a meal, an hour. Small things, shared, lift heavy loads.

Your first step is just to look around.

  1. 1

    Find a community

    Explore neighborhoods and groups. Find one you belong to and request to join.

  2. 2

    See what’s happening

    Once you’re in, see what people are sharing, what they’re working on, and where you might take part.

  3. 3

    Make something happen

    Respond to a post or share one of your own. Work out the details together, then follow through.

You can browse communities without an account. Joining lets you see what members are sharing and take part. Each community’s organizer welcomes new members in.

Meet Carry and Smuh.

Two characters from the HumanismOS family, and a little of each lives in all of us. Tap either one to meet them.

CarryThe one who steps in

Gives without keeping score. Shows up when it counts.

I’ve got you.
SmuhThe everyday you, holding back

Closed off and a little suspicious, especially with people it doesn’t know yet.

I doubt you.

When Smuh holds back, Carry has an answer:

  1. SmuhBut I don’t know anyone here.

  2. CarryThat’s a good reason to say hello.

  3. SmuhWhat would I even contribute?

  4. CarrySomething you know. Something you have. A little time when it works for you.

  5. SmuhAnd if I need a hand?

  6. CarryThere’s room for that, too.

Start small. Get to know people. See what you can make happen together.

A little care can change someone’s day.

Sometimes it starts with one person showing up.

Watch the story · 24 seconds · Sound available
What happens in the story

There are no spoken words, only music. A small character sits alone under a tree. Another comes and sits beside it. Both of their hearts begin to glow. One by one, others arrive, each heart lighting up, until a whole community is gathered together in the meadow.

The kitchen table, made bigger.

Two people holding a bowl of food together

Light a Lamp · beginning November 8

Let’s begin with something a child needs.

This November, schools and nonprofits will share needs such as weekend meals, school supplies, and warm coats.

Neighbors, congregations, and businesses can choose something to contribute through Light a Lamp.

Explore Light a Lamp

The Good News · every morning at 7

Want news that brightens your day and restores your faith in humanity?

Every light below is a true story of people taking care of each other, near Austin and around the world. Tap one to read it.

56 lights, 56 true stories

Each light is a real story from the Cooperative News, with its source. Tap any light, or let us pick one for you.

Comic panel one: Carries yawns at the kitchen table at 7:00 am, a mug in one hand
Panel two: Carries' phone lights up with the Cooperative News, and Carries smiles
Panel three: Carries beams at the phone, heart glowing, and says: Somebody helped somebody. Again!

Free, every morning

Start tomorrow with good news.

The day's new stories in your inbox at 7 every morning: a few lines each, with a link to read more. Free. One click stops it.

We use your address only to send this. One click unsubscribes, any day.

Carry, smiling with open arms in welcome

There’s a place for you here.

Something you can share. Something you’d like to learn. Something that would be easier with others.

Come see where you might join in.

Look around without an account. Free for individuals.

Have a group in mind? Talk with us