All People Making a Difference
A helping hand for young mothers in povertyNew Moms in Chicago provides job training, transitional housing, and doula support. The aim is for the new mothers to become self-sufficient.
Difference MakerFrom 鈥楩ull House鈥� to Afghanistan: an American teaches street children musicLanny Cordola, a US rocker, had toured with well-known names in music, and he had appeared in a couple of episodes of the ABC comedy as a musician. But everything changed when he learned about two attacks in Afghanistan.
Difference MakerA former exec at Trader Joe鈥檚 grows another kind of grocery storeDoug Rauch opened Daily Table in a low-income area of Boston two years ago. The nonprofit grocery store has been a pioneer in its approach to food waste, food deserts, hunger, and obesity.
Out of work? How volunteering can open doors.The job search can be discouraging. Service activities offer a number of benefits to those looking for work.
Difference MakerAn outdoorsman鈥檚 outreach to youths facing troubles at homeRyan Kerrigan takes youths in Washington State rafting and rock climbing to teach life lessons 鈥� such as聽realizing one鈥檚 own worth and not giving up.
The Canadians helping refugees start anewUnder Canada鈥檚 Private Sponsorship of Refugees program, ordinary citizens can take a frontline role in aiding those who have been through immense challenges.
Difference MakerThis theater director gets at the big issues of the day 鈥� with young actorsMartina Droste鈥檚 theater project in Frankfurt features both local youths and young refugees. The wide-ranging themes they present have encouraged tens of thousands of theatergoers to think about the issues in new ways.
An ally for pets when their owners are deployedMany service members have had to surrender their beloved pets to shelters. Buzz Miller created a foster-care alternative.
Difference MakerA mother who knows from experience what families dealing with homicide needClementina Ch茅ry鈥檚 son聽was killed in the crossfire of a gang-related shootout. Soon after in Boston, she founded the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute to address the roots of violence and support grieving families, regardless of circumstance.
An alternative to junking that broken applianceAt Repair Caf茅 events, handy volunteers help their less-skilled neighbors. The events are part of a repair movement spreading around the world, at a time when the global trash pile is growing exponentially.
Difference MakerHow a forlorn playground became one of America鈥檚 most innovative public spacesToody Maher is an urban visionary who helped residents in Richmond, Calif., collectively transform a deserted spot. She believes that the most beautiful and enlightened public spaces belong in the most disadvantaged communities.
Difference MakerHe鈥檚 led a transformation among Roma villagers: crime down, productivity upL谩szl贸 Bogd谩n, the mayor of Cserdi, Hungary, has worked to instill a sense of self-worth in the villagers while also countering common prejudices about the Roma. And he鈥檚 led by example.
Difference MakerHe鈥檚 given at-risk young men the space to learn and growRichard Bienvenue founded Our House, which is now located on a farm in Maryland. There, male adolescents focus on learning trades that can become their careers, and they do it with a structure that has often been lacking for them.
Difference MakerHaving trouble getting a job as an older worker? This woman has some advice.Elizabeth White herself couldn鈥檛 find work later in her career. She鈥檚 now written a book in which she identifies issues that older workers face and suggests steps for restoring what she calls 鈥榓 richly textured life.鈥�
How a city girl came to oversee a community gardenDawn Blackman Sr. saw a need for fresh food in her urban community. The Randolph Street Community Garden in Champaign, Ill., now has 72 beds, and more than 3,000 people received fresh produce last year.
Difference MakerShe re-created a medieval trail in Germany, drawing thousands of hikersEsther Zeiher launched the endeavor after she came across an old map. She calls the trail an 鈥榓dventure in humanity鈥� that is enabling meaningful exchanges between people.
Volunteering together: how families can plan a vacation that gives backAhead of the big summer vacation season, here are some ideas for trying something different 鈥� service.
Teen siblings raise nearly $110,000 to fight hunger in Washington StateAidan Ryan started volunteering abroad, but when he realized the challenges much closer to home, he adjusted his focus. His sister, Erin Ryan, has gotten involved, too.
India's rescued bonded laborers rebuild lives in 'dream homes'Students from a college in Chennai, India, are working with the rescued individuals as part of a project to help them get back on their feet. Without homes, among other things, it is easy for them to slip back into debt bondage, campaigners say.
鈥楽tar Wars鈥�-style desert moisture farming: New tech brings it a step closerResearchers are working to take the process from science fiction to reality. A new study is demonstrating how one device could work even in dry desert conditions using only the power of the sun.