About Safety of Society
As seekers, we all strive to live beyond the individual, family, and community. Safety of Society nurtures our CommUnity’s bhava (feeling) that serving society is our way of serving Divinity.
Chinmaya Mission Niagara formally launched the Safety of Society initiative in July 2023 as a structured platform to offer our devotion through meaningful, community‑centered action.
“We believe that the service of our country is the service of the Lord of Lords, and devotion to the people is the devotion to the Supreme Self. We know our responsibilities. Give us the ability and courage to fulfill them.” — Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
Live Lighter Challenge
Join our community in participating in the Live Lighter Challenge.
This is a commitment to raise the quality of our thoughts, words, and actions. Bullying and cyberbullying do not begin online — they begin in the mind. When we carry agitation, comparison, and negativity, it affects our thoughts, speech and actions.
This challenge invites you to take responsibility for your inner environment. Look at nature. Listen to what uplifts you. Reduce unnecessary screen time. Help someone without expecting recognition. Live the oneness — remembering that the same consciousness lives in all.
Cyberbullying and our Youth
Cyberbullying is a pervasive, systemic threat to the mental health and safety of children.
Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying follows a child into the safety of their home, operating 24/7 through the devices that have become essential to modern life.
We are all digital citizens, how can we leave a positive impact on our digital space for the safety and success of the next generation?
Previous Efforts
Firearm Safety Advocacy (2023-2024)
From July 2023 to July 2024, our CommUnity focused on advocating for safer firearm policies by engaging directly with policymakers. Through emails, calls, and handwritten letters, we sent over 500 pieces of correspondence from across the United States.
Learn more about Firearm Safety
Take Action
Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence Awareness (Fall 2024)
In the fall of 2024 we narrowed our focus from firearm safety in general to understanding the role of firearms with domestic violence or intimate partner violence.
We read “No Visible Bruises” by Rachel Louise Snyder as a community and donated in-need items to women’s support organizations and shelters.
About 1 in 3 women (30%) worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 38% of murders of women are committed by intimate partners. Without safety and security, we cannot do what brings us joy in life. Through collective action, this initiative aimed to foster support and awareness for a safer society.
Honoring Our Elders (Spring 2025)
In early 2025, our CommUnity turned its attention to elder safety through the initiative “Honoring Our Elders.”
This work centered on three core pillars:
- Giving Resources — raising $13,155 for Meals on Wheels and $8,005 for Trellis Connects.
- Giving Effort — offering companionship, help with errands, shared meals, and meaningful conversations.
- Giving Time — creating and reflecting on eight podcast episodes exploring aging, dignity, and intergenerational connection.
Nearly 1 in 10 people over 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse and during the COVID pandemic, 1 in 5 older adults reported elder abuse. Through learning, service, and heart, the commUnity came together to reaffirm our commitment to honoring our elder generation.
- Learn more about this Effort
- Listen to our weekly release of Honoring our Elders, a special Efforts for Safety mini-podcast series, by our commUnity, for our commUnity.
- Reflect & share on our Padlet Board here and read sharings from our commUnity down below!
Anti‑Trafficking (Fall 2025)
From July 2025 to June 2026, our focus expanded to the safety and wellbeing of children. In Fall 2025, the CommUnity raised funds and awareness for Paradarshita, an organization in Bharat dedicated to combating human trafficking.
