All People Making a Difference
Want to make a difference? Three ways to get started.It doesn鈥檛 have to take much. Here are some 鈥榣ow cost鈥� and 鈥榣ow time commitment鈥� ideas for giving back.
How one of Gen. George Patton鈥檚 grandsons helps vets with PTSDBenjamin Patton created free filmmaking workshops that tap into the power of storytelling. Participants report a significant drop in PTSD symptoms after completing the workshop, he says.
Sportswear companies make fashion statement out of ocean trashThis month, Adidas is selling shoes made mostly of plastic collected off the coast of the Maldives, and a swimsuit line from Volcom is largely made from recycled nylon materials, including abandoned fishing nets.
Difference MakerA Denver native brings the vast outdoors to at-risk youthsJes Ward is the executive director of cityWILD, which enables students in Denver to raft, backpack, mountain-bike, and snowshoe 鈥� while they also strive to reach their full potential.
How a 鈥榗omputer guy鈥� came to be a Promise Fellow for kids who have it toughWilliam Lah got involved at a local middle school, pledging that students will have a caring adult in their life, no matter what. Among other things, he helps them envision a future at college.
Refugee restaurant dishes up African fare to win Italian heartsItaly has become the main arrival point in Europe for people fleeing persecution and poverty in Africa. The hope is the new restaurant will improve community relations, one of its founders says.
In bid to improve police-minority relations, 'Bigs in Blue' pairs cops, youthsBig Brothers Big Sisters is undertaking the program, which could change perceptions for both police and children, says the organization's president.
How one engineering program used storytelling to recruit more womenThe mechanical engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin has worked to expand other people's understanding of what engineers do.
Difference MakerA daytime refuge for homeless people: the duo behind the pioneering effortIn San Francisco, Laura Slattery and Tina Christopher open church doors to homeless people during the day. The women鈥檚 own lives have taken elaborate twists and turns.
Amid climate change, small-scale farmers find merit in traditional techniquesMany small farmers are using natural methods to improve the soil and protect against pests. 'We can feed our people,' one says.
Thanks to volunteers, Olympic track at Sarajevo makes a comebackSports enthusiasts came together to repair the bobsled and luge track, which was devastated by the Bosnian war. Even though its condition is still rough, some say it's one of the best tracks for summer training.
'Barefoot surveyors' flag needs in world's slums: A key to urban development?The surveyors use mobile phones to map and document the slums' demographic data. Their work has paved the way for new partnerships between local governments and community-based groups.
Get out the vote: eight posters encouraging people to cast ballotsNearly half of voters sat out the 2012 presidential election. In hopes of changing that trend, graphic designers across the country are creating works with a message.
Difference MakerHe hadn鈥檛 driven much 鈥� but began a car-sharing project for tsunami survivorsTakehiko Yoshizawa鈥檚聽Japan Car Sharing Association has aided residents since the 2011 tsunami. The effort expanded this year after twin earthquakes in southern Japan.
Which country's people are most generous to strangers? Iraq, survey finds.More than half of people in 140 countries surveyed had helped strangers聽鈥� with many of the most generous in countries hit by disaster and war.
More and more, cities opt for innovative temporary uses of vacant spacesRecognizing the benefits for users and owners, government agencies and developers are making it easier for real estate to become available for temporary use. Fremantle, Australia, is a case in point.
In Illinois, one girl's mission to collect Halloween costumes for charitySusana Martin and her mother say they've given away about 800 character ensembles over the past three years or so. 'I just think it's good to help people,' Susana says.
Difference MakerHow Haidar el Ali became one of Africa鈥檚 best-known environmentalistsHaidar el Ali started out in his family鈥檚 furniture business but then dedicated his life to protecting the oceans and other habitats.
Difference MakerIn Afghanistan, 鈥楳other鈥� has her own approach to helping drug addictsLaila Haidari founded a shelter in Kabul to help those struggling with addiction. Some 3,600 people, she says, have left the facility recovered.
Protecting mangroves, Kenya's fishermen net cash 鈥� and more fishA coastal Kenyan community has earned $30,000 in two years selling carbon credits from the mangroves they protect. Mangrove forests are particularly effective at absorbing carbon dioxide.
