Promoting a Culture of Acceptance and Kindness Where All Feel Welcome, Safe, and Appreciated.

For many years, Fountain Hills has been known as a safe, welcoming town — a place where newcomers feel included and long-time residents feel at home. Acceptance and kindness aren’t just “nice to have” qualities; they are core ingredients of a healthy community.

Kindness is also good for us as individuals. Medical research shows that simple acts of kindness can ease pain, lower anxiety, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships. The feeling of warmth and well-being we experience when we help others is sometimes called the “helper’s high.” When we act selflessly or generously, our brains release oxytocin and dopamine — the “feel-good” hormones. And when we are on the receiving end of kindness, we benefit in much the same way.

Given all of these community, physical, and emotional benefits, why does it feel like our town has become less accepting and less kind?

We believe the answer lies in an increasingly fraught political and social environment.

Some local politicians demean and dismiss those who are “different” or who do not share their political or religious views. Since the emergence of the political action committee ROT two years ago, some elected officials appear to feel emboldened not only to be unkind, but openly cruel. In our view, ROT and the candidates it has supported — and continues to support — have helped erode Fountain Hills’ culture of acceptance and kindness.

Flourish Fountain Hills believes we must actively work to rebuild and protect that culture.

How Do We Promote a Culture of Acceptance and Kindness?

ENGAGE

We can choose to engage with others — including people who do not share our social, political, or religious beliefs — but who do share a commitment to kindness and mutual respect.

To form a diverse “kindness coalition,” we will need to:

  • Step outside our information echo chambers.
  • Reach beyond our familiar social circles.
  • Keep an open mind, accept differences, and find common ground in the value we place on acceptance and kindness.

EXPOSE

We can expose and condemn community “leaders” who demean or dehumanize others in order to build power through division and polarized tribes.

Politicians need votes. Pastors need parishioners. Influencers need followers.

If we make it clear — through social media, letters, phone calls, and public comments — that we will not tolerate a culture of cruelty and division, many of these leaders will face a choice: change their behavior or lose their influence.

EMBODY

We can embody kindness in our daily lives.

That means:

  • Practicing kindness and respect in our interactions — especially when we disagree.
  • Performing small, random acts of kindness.
  • Recognizing and honoring those who make our town a kinder, more welcoming place through their service to others.

By living these values ourselves, we help shift the culture from the ground up.

Going Forward

In the weeks and months ahead, Flourish Fountain Hills will:

  • Share specific ways you can engage — events to attend, organizations to join or support, and opportunities to connect with others who value acceptance and kindness.

  • Expose individuals and groups who are actively undermining our town’s culture of kindness and inclusion.

  • Recognize and honor residents, volunteers, and organizations that embody kindness and acceptance, giving them the appreciation and visibility they deserve.

If you have information, stories, or suggestions that can help us promote this goal, we invite you to reach out to us by email: flourish.fountainhills@gmail.com

Together, we can reclaim and reinforce a culture in Fountain Hills where everyone is truly made to feel welcome, safe, and appreciated.