All People Making a Difference
A high school junior in Indiana takes the initiative to hold prom dress driveClare Mangin says it would be 'awesome' to simply make one girl happy by giving her a prom dress. Clare's enthusiasm and attention to detail have impressed the school employee she's partnered with.
In Latin America, women code a better futureLaboratoria is a web development and coding academy for underprivileged women in Peru, Mexico, and Chile. Once they graduate, the women can be considered for jobs at Laboratoria鈥檚 tech partners, which include Google and Microsoft.
Difference MakerAlmost all girls were cut in her Ethiopian village. Not anymore, thanks to her.Bogaletch Gebre cofounded an organization that鈥檚 credited with virtually eliminating female genital mutilation in the part of southern Ethiopia where she grew up. A key reason for the organization鈥檚 success has been its focus on 鈥榗ommunity conversations.鈥�
In Brazil, a new tool to cut illegal wood from supply chainsA digital platform analyzes data to make sure companies have the correct permits and aims to follow the timber from forests to sawmills and export markets.
During repairs, this restaurant kept employees and encouraged them to volunteerPart of El Moro Spirits & Tavern in Durango, Colo., was damaged by a fire in October. The restaurant's management urged its workers to give back to a community that has supported the business since its opening 3-1/2 years ago.
How bots can help fight online trollsTwitch, the platform that allows people to play video games and stream their activity, has implemented one of the most recent efforts to combat trolling. But in general, the use of such bots raises some larger questions.
How Russian pensioners are teaching foreign students their languageLinguaLink of Generations was launched by three individuals who鈥檝e studied at a school in Moscow. The program pairs retirees and students for language lessons using Skype.
Difference MakerShe鈥檚 turning schools around, at high speedsTiffany Anderson, who arrived in Topeka, Kan., in July to be superintendent of the public schools, is making a name for herself as one of the best at standing up for the neediest students.
From legislation to technology, five key tools to combat trafficking in 2017As pressure and awareness builds, some say this year could be the tipping point in the global battle against human trafficking.
In Asheville, volunteer computer programmers seek to help the most vulnerableAmong other projects in the past year, members of Code for Asheville have lent their expertise to address issues involving formerly incarcerated people and homeless individuals.
From a former sex slave to a climate poet: five unsung heroes of 2016Thousands of people around the world work to defend human rights聽鈥� risking their lives to expose abuses against women, children, minority groups, and others.
Difference MakerHow can dangerous speech be neutralized? This woman has some ideas.Rachel Brown headed to Kenya ahead of sensitive elections and an atmosphere of potential hate and violence. After a positive outcome there, she worked on a guidebook for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum called 鈥楧efusing Hate.鈥�
One nonprofit鈥檚 answer to a 鈥榝ood desert鈥� in DenverThe GrowHaus 鈥� an innovative indoor farm, marketplace, and educational center 鈥� emphasizes the importance of access to healthy food, and the potential of food to transform.
In Qatar, World Cup construction workers to get 'cooling' hatsScientists at Qatar University designed the solar-powered hard hats to improve conditions for 2022 World Cup laborers. Qatar's desert heat can approach 120 degrees F.
The L.A. team helping human-trafficking survivors find justice 鈥� and jobsThe Thai Community Development Center provides victims of human trafficking, as well as the city鈥檚 broader Thai immigrant community, with tools for long-term economic self-sustainability and growth.
Rural residents pool cash to save last local gathering placesAs population continues to trickle away from rural America, neighbors are trying to save spots 鈥� groceries, restaurants, bars, and stores 鈥� where people can still get together.
Difference MakerThanks to this Afghan woman, 6,000 imams have taken gender-sensitivity trainingJamila Afghani, who has battled discrimination since childhood, uses Islam to empower women in Afghanistan. She is committed to continuing the work despite threats and other obstacles.
He called himself a 鈥榖ad kid.鈥� But as an adult, he drew on that to do good.Harry Cummins III says he found his purpose in life when he opened a boxing gym to reach kids on the streets, in gangs, from broken homes. Kids like himself.
UPS tests electric bikes for deliveries in Portland, Ore.The trial program is part of the delivery company's efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, ease urban noise levels, and improve air quality. The experiment could also help get around traffic congestion.
Difference MakerThis woman has helped more than 4,500 disabled people get jobsWhen Shanti Raghavan鈥檚 brother started losing his sight, she began to learn about ways he could adjust. She then wanted to use that knowledge to assist others.
