From neighborhoods to schools, from businesses to city hall, South Salt Lake is redefining what it means to be a community. In March, Mayor Cherie Wood signed a proclamation that commits the city to establish kindness as a hallmark of its mission, vision and values.

Partnering with One Kind Act a Day, a Semnani Family Foundation Enterprise, SSL will work toward becoming a certified City of Kindness by utilizing courtesy, goodness and compassion. 

“Through this collaboration, we will inspire daily acts of kindness, recognizing their transformative power and encouraging our employees and our residents to spend a few minutes a day on kindness,” Wood said at the State of the City address. “It doesn’t matter how big or small, the act of kindness strengthens our bonds and fosters inclusivity.”

People in the city are invited to find ways to perform one act of kindness each day to better the lives of their friends and neighbors. Residents can also pick up a yard sign promoting the initiative at SSL City Hall (220 E. Morris Ave.) or the SSL Community Center Promise Co-Op (2531 S. 400 East) on Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I’m encouraging our employees and our residents alike to spend a few minutes a day on kindness,” Wood said. “It can be something as simple as complimenting someone or writing a thank you note.”

The Semnani Family Foundation created the One Kind Act a Day initiative with a simple belief: when many people engage in small acts of kindness, it can ignite extraordinary change. This vision recognizes that kindness isn’t just a thoughtful gesture, it’s a powerful force capable of transforming lives, strengthening community bonds and shaping a better world.

One Kind Act a Day Director of Operations Mason Bennett is excited about the partnership with SSL. He said the organization seeks to increase kindness through human connection in neighborhoods, government, schools and businesses, adding that building communities through kindness supports belonging and connection.

“We work with cities and counties to tailor-make programs that enhance connectivity and community,” Bennett said. “Part of that is our certified City of Kindness initiative where we work with the city and they go through a certain set of requirements and programs to become certified.”

The program started in Utah County where Vineyard became the first certified City of Kindness. Now, Utah County is working to get every city within its boundaries certified through the organization so it can become the first County of Kindness. The initiative has expanded with North Salt Lake becoming certified and SSL on its way to complete the requirements. 

Bennett said as leaders, residents and schools adopt the program, he has seen a reduction in bullying, a willingness to help and a rising interest in how to bring more acts of kindness to the area. 

“In cities, we find more unity between neighbors and citizens; people getting out there, talking to each other and connecting a little bit more,” he said. “Some of the feedback we’ve gotten is that people feel like they’re more comfortable where they live, more comfortable going to their neighbors and they feel like they belong more than they did before.”

One Kind Act a Day will work with SSL leaders, youth council and Promise SSL to create requirements that specifically fit the city’s vision and goals. City officials believe the program will leverage their commitment to residents and challenge them to find creative ways to offer small acts of kindness each day. 

“I believe that we need to amplify our role as a City of Kindness. There could not be a better time for our partnership with the Semnani Family Foundation and their One Kind Act a Day initiative,” Wood said. “It could be clearing your sidewalks, checking on the elderly neighbor or volunteering at a city event. So pick up a yard sign.”

Learn more about One Kind Act a Day at ThePowerofKind.org. λ