"Caring communities" is a great sounding line, but what does it really mean? There are many ways that communities which present themselves as caring make life easier or worse for those who live there. For centuries in Germany, there have been religious groups who claim to care for each member. By definition, this is circumscribed caring as it applies to members only. The Circle of Courage model provides a straightforward definition of a caring community as one that meets the growth needs of children. That requires an environment where every child belongs, has the chance to master learning, and develops independence and generosity. The author highlights five German programs which are using positive peer helping methods to create caring communities in residential and school settings.