Samaritans 365 was started in 2009 with the simple mission to encourage youth to be kind. Founder and director Laura Reiss was inspired by her three small children, wanting them to learn the joy that generosity can bring. Children in the Samaritans 365 program learn from speakers throughout the year who teach them about local volunteer opportunities and what they can do to make the world a better place. On weekends and during the summer they participate in these opportunities, having fun, making friends, learning valuable skills, and seeing the world from an entirely new perspective. The goal of Samaritans 365 is that "children of all ages and backgrounds become active and engaged members of their communities and that they ultimately grow into service oriented community leaders and global environmentalists for today and generations to come." These children, from preschool through high school, and the people who lead them, are working to make the world a better place, one simple act of kindness at a time.