All People Making a Difference
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.
When a young person is in crisis, this woman is a text awayRainy Roth is a volunteer for Crisis Text Line, drawing on her own experiences as a child. 鈥業f I can reach out to one texter and tell that person, 鈥淚 get it,鈥� then the texter will understand it will be OK,鈥� she says.
Difference MakerEast St. Louis has had it tough. But here鈥檚 how one woman celebrates the good.After a Navy and civil service career, Charmaine Savage began publishing a top-notch magazine that highlights those making a difference in her hometown.
Difference MakerShe believes in teen parents and helps them stay in schoolNicole Lewis earned her college degree as a young mother. 鈥業 knew that other young parents could achieve the same success if they had the support and resources to get there,鈥� she says.
For urban high-schoolers in Kansas City, a launching pad for their careersThe nonprofit Green Works gives opportunities such as internships to these students, who are often disadvantaged in engineering and other fields.
Five ways to give back this yearWith 2018 well under way, here are some ideas for being 鈥榯he best you鈥� 鈥� from shopping in your closet to being an extreme volunteer.
Difference MakerA young Boston restaurateur who鈥檚 helping to change the gameIrene Li and her siblings first rolled out the Mei Mei food truck and now also have a restaurant on the edges of Boston University. All along, Ms. Li has been looking for ways to improve an interconnected food system.
How a hockey club is taking on the suicide rate among military veteransThe New England Eagles Veterans Hockey Club skates to raise awareness of the suicide rate. Just as important, the team provides camaraderie and support for its players, who are veterans and current service members.
How a Ghanaian decided to set up a food bankEric Darko had never seen one before a visit to the US. Now he鈥檚 launched Eastern Harvest Food Bank, which is believed to be the first food bank in Ghana with warehouse operations.
A digital solution when children can鈥檛 find books in their mother tongueLibrary for All is a nonprofit that provides young readers in developing countries with digital books in their mother tongue. Research suggests that children benefit from reading in their strongest language.
Difference MakerShe鈥檚 bringing the ocean 鈥� as well as science 鈥� closer to low-income youthsShara Fisler founded Ocean Discovery Institute in San Diego to engage the area鈥檚 young people. Activities include looking at creatures in tide pools, learning about molecular biology, and even swimming with whale sharks.
This woman鈥檚 approach to mentoring in San Jose won a prizeKnowing that mentors can make all the difference for youths,聽Gisela Bushey designed the organization Critical Bridge. In October, it was named a recipient of the $50,000 Encore Prize.
One woman鈥檚 journey from CEO to minister to puppeteerAs a pastor in Detroit, Lottie Hood created the Underground Railroad Living Museum Flight to Freedom Tour. Then she brought all her experiences together to help at-risk children.
Meet the 11-year-old inventor working to improve lead water testingSpurred by the water crisis in Flint, Mich., Gitanjali Rao聽invented a device that makes testing for lead at home easier.