- South Salt Lake received national recognition in Good Housekeeping for its kindness initiatives.
- The city was one of four nationally highlighted for integrating kindness into communities.
- Mayor Cherie Wood emphasized the importance of fostering a safe, inclusive environment for all.
SOUTH SALT LAKE — From bumper stickers to yard signs, or young painters creating murals that add a pop of color within its communities, South Salt Lake says it is committed to encouraging kindness in a variety of ways.
That dedication has earned South Salt Lake national recognition as the city is featured in the January-February edition of Good Housekeeping magazine.
South Salt Lake was one of just four cities around the country mentioned in a story highlighting places that have integrated kindness into the fabric of their communities.
Early last year, South Salt Lake was identified as a City of Kindness by One Kind Act a Day, a nonprofit founded by the Semnani Family Foundation. The initiative aims to foster a culture of generosity and good fellowship through businesses, organizations, schools and residents all with a common goal of making kindness a daily practice.
In 2022, Gov. Spencer Cox joined prominent local leaders and Khosrow Semnani declaring April 12 as "One Kind Act a Day" day in Utah.
South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood signed a proclamation committing the city to inspire and reward such acts of kindness during a City Council meeting in March 2025.
Wood spoke briefly about the blurb in the Good Housekeeping magazine during Wednesday's City Council meeting after addressing some concerns she said the city is aware of from community members regarding immigration enforcement.
"It is hard to talk about fun, happy things when there's so much heavy, hard stuff every day that we're navigating at a national level and at a community level," she said.
Wood also stated that South Salt Lake is a city built on kindness — and it's a commitment it aims to honor.
"Our community is stronger because of the people who live here, people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences, and every person deserves to feel safe walking their neighborhood, sending their kids to school, going to the grocery store or interacting with city services," she added.
While other Utah cities including Alpine, North Salt Lake and Vineyard have also previously committed to the kindness initiative, South Salt Lake was the only one in the state mentioned in the national publication.
"I'm not entirely sure how they found out about us; I think probably just through online searching," said Joseph Dane, South Salt Lake's communications manager.
Dane said through the partnership with One Kind Act a Day, South Salt Lake launched several initiatives aimed at promoting kindness across the community. Efforts include free city of kindness yard signs available to residents at City Hall, kindness-focused programming for youth through Promise South Salt Lake, as well as opportunities for local youth to participate in public art projects, including kindness-themed murals created during the city's annual mural fest.
Dane said the mural project allowed youth to explore their creativity and how it intertwines with kindness.
"So we're gonna replicate that and do another mural this year with more youth," he told KSL.
South Salt Lake also has an employee recognition program that highlights acts of kindness among city staff.
In a description on its website, One Kind Act a Day says it aims to empower individuals to look for ways to perform acts of kindness in hopes of uplifting their communities and those around them.
"When the world seems contentious, it is inspiring to see communities, like South Salt Lake, make a conscientious focus on kindness," said One Kind Act a Day director Mason Bennett in a statement. "When we do that, we lift the world together and cultivate the kind of world we want to be part of."
Dane said South Salt Lake's recognition in the magazine sends a message that spans far beyond its city limits, but rather speaks to the efforts of the One Kind Act a Day organization in encouraging kindness and compassion.
"And that to me is like the important part — if we just all engaged in a little more kindness, I think this world would be a much different place. And particularly right now, I feel like it's a message that we need to have resonate more than ever," he said.
In a statement, Wood said that a community of kindness helps create a safe space for all.
"I encourage all residents and businesses to take the kindness pledge and practice daily habits of kindness. Let's be the kind of neighbors and people we want in our community. Let's create a space where everyone feels welcome, safe, and respected."
