Active Relationships Center

10/29/2026

On this National First Responders Day, Active Relationships recognizes and commends those who courageously commit to protecting the communities and families where they serve.

Five years ago, Officer Shane Dufresne and the Plainville Police Department in Connecticut began designing and selling decorative patches to raise money for causes such as mental health, breast cancer and domestic violence. They also sell holiday patches for Halloween and Christmas that are a hit with the community.

A resilience preparedness course, 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑨.𝑹.𝑹.𝑰.𝑽.𝑬. helps first responders build mindfulness, resilience, confidence and readiness as well as enhance individual and team strengths. Learn more at activerelationships.com/resilience-first-responders.

The Plainville Police Department has raised nearly $17,000 through collectible patches supporting causes like breast cancer awareness, domestic violence, and autism. Officer Shane Dufresne started the effort five years ago,

10/23/2026

With the World Series getting underway tonight, Scott and Ethan Pesch know firsthand that baseball can be a uniting force. The father-son duo spent this year’s 162-game regular season biking across the country in an effort to raise money for children who need medical care, visiting all 30 Major League ballparks along the way.

“This is a beautiful country and there’s beautiful people in it, and that’s what I wanted to show my son,” Scott Pesch said. Ethan added, “He’s like Superman to me.”

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs are tailored to help fathers become their best selves and build lasting memories with their sons and daughters. For more about our programs, visit activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula.

Father and son duo Scott and Ethan Pesch are on the move. As part of their cross-country “Bikes2Ballparks,” the pair biked nearly 10,000 miles to every MLB stadium in the country to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson has the story.

10/16/2026

Whether we like it or not, technology plays a big role in our lives. While there are many positives that come from today’s modern devices, at times it may be necessary to reflect and understand why your tablet or phone is your first reach. Think about these questions:

-What do you notice about screen use in your household?
-What situations or emotions cause you to reach for a screen?
-What am I missing during my screentime?

Consider your answers and look at ways your family can feel renewed, refreshed and reconnected. Spending time together helps families better connect and understand each other. To learn more about ARC’s programs for families and teens, visit activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula.

Technology can serve us well, but what might we need more of? Here are five ways to make room for what helps us feel well, reconnect with ourselves, and show up for those we love.

10/13/2026

A much-loved museum in LA is shaped on celebrating Hispanic heritage. The museum takes pride in sharing Latino history, culture and stories while providing a hand-on, multi-generational experience.

Active Relationships Center has been active in Spanish-speaking communities since 2004, starting with the Hispanic Active Relationships Project in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Our Spanish-speaking programs help to build and maintain healthy marriages and families. With Spanish-speaking trainers available, ARC offers 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒔 for those with small children, 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒔 and 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 (𝑨𝑹𝒀𝑨) for teens. Visit activerelationships.com/spanish-speaking for more details.

https://abc7.com/story/la-plaza-de-cultura-artes-celebrates-15-years-latino-history-culture-community/19921919/

10/10/2026

Take a moment to stop and think of something you’re grateful for.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, it’s important to remember that gratitude has the power to shift our mindset and help us find happiness and hope in the little things.

This article discusses five ways to build habits to feel gratitude on a deeper level in our lives.

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

Gratitude can be more than a mental checklist. Here's why it matters for well-being and how to really feel it in your body, your outlook, and your everyday life.

10/07/2026

A missing Army ring. A determined mother. A son who served.

Mary Thelen’s son, Douglas came home with the ring and a mystery to solve. Douglas couldn’t remember many of the details, but Mary got to work. She first reached out for help finding the ring’s owner, who appeared to be Terry Sheppard Jr., three years ago.

“I can see that this ring belongs to a person who really wants it back, and I really want to meet him,” she said.

It took until this summer, when Sheppard reached out, for the two to connect.

The ring is now with its rightful owner. He hadn’t seen it in 20 years.

Both men served at Fort Bragg but do not remember meeting.

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 proudly serves the military community with programs that focus on resilience, mindfulness and communication. Visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training to learn more.

A U.S. Army ring found in an old footlocker is returned to Terry Sheppard Jr. after a 20-year mystery and Mary Thelen’s long search.

10/03/2026

Nonagenarian Eileen McKeon reads to a Kansas City kindergarten class twice a month. She calls the opportunity “an environment of love.”

She’s been volunteering for 13 years, so for her 93rd birthday, the kids and teacher wanted to make it special with a surprise filled with “signs, singing and snacks.”

Reading together creates strong bonds and memories. ARC’s 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 program encourages parents and kids to laugh, learn and play together. Visit activerelationships.com/training-programs-curricula to learn more. OK

Kansas City kindergarteners and teachers came together to celebrate...

09/29/2026

Mahjong, a game with a well-established history in Asia, is continuing to grow in popularity in the United States. For one young woman, the memories, laughs and traditions that come with mahjong have brought her family closer together.

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs encourage intentional traditions and/or behaviors to keep relationships strong. If you or the families you serve are looking to create more meaningful traditions, visit activerelationships.com.

a mom-and-daughter date i never expected 🀄️

09/25/2026

Su***de prevention is a multi-faceted effort. Puerto Rico’s Fort Buchanan recently hosted a symposium with this in mind.

“We’re trying to take a spiritual, physical and mental approach to create awareness and support our su***de prevention campaign,” said Ashley Hines, Fort Buchanan Army Substance Abuse and Su***de Prevention Program manager.

Lt. Col. Eric Littlejohn added that everyone is carrying something.
“It’s a collective effort to care for one another and take care of the people to your left and right, whether or not they’re in uniform,” Littlejohn said. “We all have hidden wounds.”

Someone is always available at 9-8-8 if you need immediate mental health assistance.

ARC’s 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒔 provides the right tools and a practical, logical, clear road map to achieve active mindfulness and empower healthy change, both internal and external, and gain skills to help manage life’s challenges. These tools not only build capacity but can empower individuals to be strong warriors, defeating past issues that trigger anger, anxiety, distress, abandonment, fear, grief and hopelessness. For more details about this program, designed with large audiences in mind, visit activerelationships.com/military-strong-bonds-training.

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — Service members, Department of the Army civilians, families and community members gathered at the Fort Buchanan Community C...

09/22/2026

Fall begins tonight! Whether you’re starting to get cooler temperatures or the air still feels a bit like summer, pick some activities that fit your family best. From handing out thank-you cards on the fly (our favorite suggestion) to trying a family recipe, volunteering together or decorating your porch, this list has something for everyone. Don’t worry football and tailgating are there too!

Having regular family time helps shape and maintain strong connections. If you or the families you serve are looking to create more meaningful traditions, visit activerelationships.com to learn how 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 programs can help.

Go beyond apple picking with fun (and budget-friendly) fall activities that are perfect for solo adventures, couples, groups and families.