In a world filled with strife and conflict, it’s important to remember that there are good things to look for in day-to-day life. Locally, nationally or internationally, big or small, there’s always something to celebrate.

YouthBuild Indy, a program in Martindale-Brightwood, is offering young people ages 18 to 24 the chance to gain essential job skills, earn a high school diploma and receive construction certification, all while getting paid up to $6,500 throughout the program. YouthBuild Indy will start accepting applications for their next cohort starting in March. The 24-week program provides career counseling and job placement assistance, aiming to help disconnected youth enter the workforce or continue their education. 

You can sign up for the YouthBuild program online through this form: https://go.iu.edu/8x8s

In Wisconsin, A cat shelter named Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary, which typically cares for special-needs felines, has opened its doors to homeless people seeking refuge from dangerously cold temperatures, which have reached lows of -19°F. Due to overcrowded warming shelters, the shelter’s leadership decided to offer safety and warmth to anyone in need.

The cat shelter has a used bookstore called Haven Books, and they also promote fun activities such as yoga with kitties! They rescue hundreds of animals each year, and operate 100% on donations. They are a no-kill, cage-free sanctuary and focus on cases of abuse, neglect, hoarding situations and physical and psychological disabilities. When they have capacity, they accept newborn kittens and puppies along with senior cats and dogs. safehavenpet.org

Zooming out, Ocean Gaia, a 40-ton underwater sculpture unveiled near Tokunoshima, Japan, serves as both art and a sanctuary for marine life. Located five meters below the surface, the sculpture depicts Gaia, the Earth mother from Greek Mythology cradling her belly, symbolizing renewal and connection to nature. Designed with perforations to allow fish and coral to colonize it, the sculpture functions as an artificial reef, fostering marine habitats while encouraging eco-tourism. This was created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor using eco-friendly materials. Ocean Gaia aims to inspire environmental awareness, cultural reconnection and hope through its reflective presence beneath the sea.

Stay tuned for next week’s sun spot, and remember that even when the sun isn’t out, we can still create light in our communities.