All People Making a Difference
He dreamed of teaching children with a background like his ownBaltazar Villalba found it's not too late to pursue your passion and that bringing your own experiences to the table can make your work more effective.
Difference MakerHow one woman in East Boston shares climate know-how with coastal neighborsChallenges associated with the environment can often seem bigger than one person can handle. But Magdalena Ayed is showing how each person 鈥� schoolchildren included 鈥� can have a role in addressing issues.
Difference MakerA bridge for the divide between Midwestern farmers and their immigrant workersAlthough immigration can be a hot-button political topic, this story takes a more personal approach, looking at how some farmers have improved operations by getting to know their foreign workers better.
Difference MakerOn a mission to make Philadelphia the most accessible US city for the artsThe benefits of experiencing the arts are well documented, but some people can be left out. This story looks at how one man and his organization have made progress in addressing this challenge.
How these women crochet sleeping mats for homeless people out of plastic bagsUsually, plastic bags are solely utilitarian, and more and more, they鈥檙e maligned. But senior housing residents in Milton, Mass., are creating something eye-catching out of them 鈥� and humane.
When you鈥檙e the one who needs help: five ideasAs the head of a philanthropic organization, the writer of this column has seen what can be helpful to those in need. Here are her insights.
Difference MakerShe wasn鈥檛 an environmental expert, but now she has a 鈥楪reen Nobel鈥�Claire Nouvian helped to secure an EU ban on deep-sea trawling and has received a Goldman Environmental Prize, which is given to grass-roots environmentalists who are struggling for change.
Difference MakerHe鈥檚 building a record about those persecuted because of their religionThe Rev. Patrick Desbois didn鈥檛 set out to be an expert in the methods of genocide. But he was drawn to find answers about mass graves left by Nazi firing squads, and he鈥檚 taken up the plight of Yazidis in Iraq.
After visiting a nursing home, he began pairing older Americans and newcomersRey Castuciano recognized the talents and wisdom of nursing home residents. He founded Table Wisdom to bring together that population and newcomers for weekly mentoring and conversational English.
Difference MakerAfter hurricane Maria, he's helping the ocean 鈥� and its fishers 鈥� recoverHurricane聽Maria upended Puerto Rico, along with its fishing industry. Raimundo Espinoza Chirinos's project cleans up the storm's hidden damage on the ocean floor by tapping into local fishermen's skills.聽- Difference MakerAfter hurricane Maria, he's helping the ocean 鈥� and its fishers 鈥� recoverHurricane聽Maria upended Puerto Rico, along with its fishing industry. Raimundo Espinoza Chirinos's project cleans up the storm's hidden damage on the ocean floor by tapping into local fishermen's skills.聽
He helps homeless people reconnect with loved ones through video messagesKevin Adler is the founder of Miracle Messages, which has aided some 100 people in finding long-lost friends and family. Some of the individuals have even secured stable housing.
Difference MakerWhy this Thai businessman was named a 鈥榖iodiversity hero鈥�In addition to running his family鈥檚 sugar-cane mill conglomerate, Nonn Panitvong is among Thailand鈥檚 most intrepid naturalists. Thanks to him, Thai nature lovers from all walks of life can pool their knowledge via a website.
In Philadelphia, students get a chance to build boats 鈥� and launch themEven though the city is home to the famed Boathouse Row, few of the students have been in a small boat. The program Philadelphia Waterborne gives them hands-on experiences while also reinforcing concepts learned in the classroom.
Five pointers on requesting a donation for a causeMost people will need to raise money at some point: The school your child attends has a drive to fund a science retreat. Or your neighbor is soliciting funds for his autistic child and a local autism program. Can you secure five new donors for him?
Difference MakerShe gives a sense of community and purpose to homeless through a running clubKaty Sherratt heads Back on My Feet, a nonprofit which challenges homeless individuals to run over a 30-day period to boost self esteem and create a support network. Once they fulfill the requirement, workforce training and house support assistance are provided.
When Iraqi women face discrimination, her legal clinic can helpRajaa Abd Ali provides legal support to Iraqi women facing violence and prejudice, and educates women about their rights 鈥榖ecause education is the most powerful weapon for them.鈥�
Difference MakerShe opened a car repair shop to help those with limited incomesCathy Heying founded The Lift Garage, a non-profit auto garage in Minneapolis, in order to make car repairs affordable for low-income customers.
Difference MakerAs migration to South Africa swells, one man helps bridge cultural dividesFor migrants living in South Africa, violence from locals can be a regular experience. That's why Marc Gbaffou is encouraging dialogue and community engagement between the two groups.聽
From Kenya鈥檚 postelection violence, an online community forms to give aidWhen Sallinder Nyawira tweeted that she could help others, the response was overwhelming, and RescueBnB was born. It aims to map the locations of those in need and connect them with volunteers.