In life's last moments, U.S. clergy minister to the sick and dying via FaceTime and Zoom

To help create change in her community and spur action to fighting against climate change, one woman turned to religion. Nana Firman, who is Muslim, found that when locals in an Indonesia region wouldn't take part in sustainable recovery efforts after being hit by a tsunami, her greatest resource became the Quran, which she utilized in her attempt to communicate the importance of environmental change. This strategy of using religion to promote environmentally sound choices has been successful internationally now and continues to grow.

With people across the United States living in constant fear of mass shootings, in these despondent times, some churches paying companies to train and arm their members in preparation. While the FBI and other security experts don’t fully support the response, the approach has gained traction. While those protecting the places of worship are all unpaid volunteers, companies like Sheepdog Defense Group are paid by churches.

Improving outcomes in addressing HIV requires reducing stigma. In Atlanta, Georgia, faith-based communities are embracing HIV prevention campaigns and courses. Bible Way Ministries provides HIV testing at community events and offers awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma. In Philadelphia, Faith in Action similarly recruits religious communities to increase HIV awareness.

A Chicago-based program called Caring Together, Living Better is aiming to increase support to family members acting as caregivers for the elderly in their lives by providing resources directly in their churches. Focused primarily on minority communities, this creative collaboration uses trained volunteers to provide resources to those in attendance.

Across the United States, mindfulness programs are gaining traction in elementary school classrooms as a strategy for students dealing with stress. As the approach spreads, some religious groups are raising concerns.

Churches across the nation have had to shut their doors as the country tries to contain the coronavirus outbreak, but some religious institutions have turned to creative ways to keep their practice alive. In Texas, one church has begun streaming the church services to their congregration while another is offering curbside communion.

Many religious institutions have to come up with creative ways to "congregate" amidst the coronavirus breakout and strict quarantine restrictions around the country. From drive-through confession to virtual Shabbat, congregations find a way to practice their faith, despite questions about the morality of practicing without an in-person community.

At nursing homes in the Long Island area, facilities and their staff have stepped up to ensure residents can use technology to stay connected. They have facilitated performances over Zoom, local school-children send videos to say hello, and lectures and games have been made available online, as well.

Grocery stores across the United States frantically respond to the "panic buying" brought on by fear of the coronavirus quarantine. As Americans rapidly stock up on supplies, grocery stores expand their network of suppliers, working with farmers, restaurant distributors, and others to find creative solutions to the bottleneck problem of keeping food and goods on their shelves.

Milwaukee's nonprofits serving youth are finding new ways to check in and connect with their students as the coronavirus rules out the possibility for in-person afterschool programming. “Social distancing doesn’t mean social disconnection," the director of a community organization said. "We want to encourage youth to stay in touch with each other and with trusted adults."