How the Idealists of Roseville, California Are Sparking a Movement

On Idealist Day 7/7, when the Idealists of Roseville entered the quiet of the locked memory care unit, they found the older residents slumped in their chairs—heads down, energy flagging.

"As soon as our music started, we saw sparks of recognition. We saw a twinkle. They started singing," said Lisa Silver, founder of Idealists of Roseville. "After we finished, the nurse came up to me and pointed out this gentleman sitting on the sofa—a man in his late 60s with white hair—who had been singing his heart out, gesturing, and just totally in the moment with us. She told me, 'That’s Doc. He was a prominent dermatologist here for decades.'"

For Lisa, seeing a man who had spent his life healing others now navigating Alzheimer's was a profound reminder of why showing up matters. Doc's transformation wasn't the result of a massive nonprofit budget or months of rigid planning. It was the result of a simple, low-pressure idea—and a willingness to start.

Taking the first step toward action

Like thousands of purpose-driven job seekers every day, Lisa first connected with idealist.org while searching for her next career step in philanthropy.

After creating her own role supporting Donate Life America, she stayed subscribed to the Idealist newsletter. When she read about the concept of Idealist Days—a monthly invitation to take small, direct actions in your local community on dates like 3/3, 4/4, or 5/5—something clicked.

"I believe in persistence, patience, and perseverance—the 3 Ps," Lisa shares. "I don't want to just go to work every day for a paycheck. I want to wake up every day, and I want to do good—I want to be a force for good."

Still, taking that first leap wasn't completely effortless. "I was so energized by it, but I was also a little scared," she admits. "There’s no roadmap to this—it’s a wide-open field. I saw so much potential to make this big, but in the beginning, I was just a one-man band."

Rather than getting bogged down in how to organize a massive project right out of the gate, Lisa decided to keep her first action simple. For 6/6, she stepped up as a "solo idealist" by reaching out directly to a local shelter, The Gathering Inn.

She asked a simple question: "What do you actually need right now?"

That phone call and a short visit reshaped her entire perspective on community care. She learned that pre-assembled hygiene kits often generate immense waste—guests inevitably receive items they don't want or can't use. Adapting on the fly, Lisa collected and donated 10 large boxes of loose, travel-sized toiletries instead. Guests could choose exactly what they needed, eliminating waste while honoring their personal choice and dignity.

Launching Idealists of Roseville

Building on that solo momentum for Idealist Day 7/7, Lisa decided to bring more people together. She was already part of a female a cappella singing group—why not ask the group to bring their love of music to people living in a local memory care unit?

She transformed her solo mission into the Idealists of Roseville.

Each week, Lisa sends the lyrics and playlist in advance, and then hosts a casual sing-along rehearsal at her house with refreshments.

That low-pressure playbook opened the door for others to contribute in their own way. Lisa shared how a neighbor in her 70s—who initially felt intimidated because she thought she couldn't sing—found her footing in the relaxed atmosphere. The neighbor was so inspired that she independently began making handmade paper flowers to attach to memory care residents' walkers and wheelchairs during their visit.

“I leave with so much joy and so much gratitude for my life. It's this gift that keeps on giving in a way. You're giving back and helping, and you walk out feeling amazing,” Lisa said.

That joyful, low-pressure approach is catching on. The Idealists of Roseville have consistently been invited to bring their sing-a-long act to different facilities in Roseville. The group is also collaborating with local organizers running similar senior-focused initiatives in neighboring Lincoln to join forces. 

"We're looking at how we can collaborate and bring the Idealist Days movement together with what they’re doing for seniors out there—combining our efforts so we can reach even more people," Lisa said.

Get involved in Idealist Days

Take it from Lisa and the Idealists of Roseville: "Take that first step, find something that's fun and easy."

Whether it's delivering toiletries to a local shelter or sharing a tune with a neighbor, a moving moment doesn't take months of planning. All you need is a simple idea, a willingness to step up, and an invitation for others to join the ride.

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If you’re wondering how to launch an Idealist Days group in your local community, here are a few steps to get started:

• Sign up to get involved in Idealist Days, and stay in touch by registering for the free Idealists in Action newsletter, sent monthly.
• Start small by gathering friends, co-workers, or family members to talk about how you can make a positive impact in your local community once a month on Idealist Days.
• As you grow, post your event on Idealist’s Global Calendar via Luma to invite others in your area to join you for projects.