Sustainability goes beyond energy and food markets... it hits at the very core of the American community lifestyle.
While countless for-profit companies are focusing on greening everything from home energy use to dairy products, there are plenty of nonprofits struggling to make an impact as well, sometimes in very nontraditional ways.
And they need our help.
A New Breed of Sustainability
Meet Robert Kossak...
He's the chief cook and bottle-washer of two nonprofits with two very different scopes.
The first, Project Crossroad, "inspires, motivates and mentors at-risk youth," currently in Maryland and Delaware, but with plans to expand up and down the eastern seaboard (more on that below).
The second, Daddy Does, provides residential repairs and maintenance — including efficiency upgrades — at no charge to families unable to afford them on their own.
But this wasn't always Robert's mission...
Prior to founding these two ventures, he served a five-year term in federal prison for conspiracy and bank fraud. The charges stemmed from a banking and real estate business he started while still in high school that made him a millionaire by his mid-twenties.
I'll spare you the changed-man spiel, but I will say that I've seen him deliver a Project Crossroad talk to a roomful of youth several times, and he often brings himself — and the audience — to tears. Oftentimes, many of the youth join the Daddy Does program as volunteers, providing free labor to families in need.
You can see what I mean in the video below:
As you can tell, this isn't product-focused sustainability... it's human-focused. And that's where you come in...
The Crossroad of Sustainability and Philanthropy
Both of these large undertakings are growing very quickly.
Through Project Crossroad, Robert is now committed to several speaking engagements almost every day of the week, delivering his message to adolescents in towns across several states.
He tells them about the mistakes he's made, and how they have a chance to learn from his mistakes and the choice to forge their own path. He listens to their problems, offering advice and guidance for how they can create successful futures.
When he's not doing those things, he's busy with individual counseling sessions or organizing projects and securing supplies for Daddy Does. Crews of volunteers have been apprenticing under the guidance of local home improvement companies, with the goal of beginning individual projects by May 1.
But with no source of income other than donations, both programs are in danger of not being able to help the community.
Driving from home to home and school to school in a 1996 Ford Bronco, Robert is already spending $150 per week on gas.
That cost only grows with each adolescent and family these organizations help.
Having steady coffers would allow Project Crossroad to visit more schools and reach more kids.
Robert has told me that his ultimate goal is to trade in the Bronco for a hybrid, adding another layer of sustainability to his operations. But for now, just being able to consistently get around would be nice.
And money for gas isn't the only worry...
Remember, in addition to giving talks to at-risk youth, Robert is also offering free home improvements to disadvantaged families.
Hammers, levels, drills, insulation — Daddy Does provides the tools and parts necessary for a job.
All of these things costs money; unfortunately, money isn't a resource that nonprofits have an abundance of.
That's where businesses and people like you can help.
Robert has already partnered with a few local businesses in the Maryland and Delaware region. And the grant writing has been furious.
Some are providing tools and lumber... Some are offering up building plans and supervision... Others are opting to give cash, which helps fill in remaining funding gaps.
So far, local attorneys, accountants, restaurant owners, and the area Buffalo Wild Wings have pledged to help. To give them full credit, local donors include: The British Bell Tea Room, SignTalk Signs & Graphics, and the Community Hope Marketplace.
It's only through support from businesses — and people like you — that great organizations like these can find the financial support the need to succeed in continuing to help the community.
Green Chip Gives Back
This is the new breed of sustainability I speak of. It's indirect. It's secondary.
It goes beyond putting solar panels on your roof or replacing all your incandescent bulbs.
It goes beyond the stocks you choose to invest in.
It even goes beyond the voting booth.
It means helping to enact the type of change you'd like to see in the world.
And supporting a nonprofit is one of the best ways to do that — outside of the actions you're taking to change your own lifestyle.
So if there's a way you can help Project Crossroad or Daddy Does... I urge you to get in touch.
Maybe you live in the area and would like to volunteer some time. Perhaps you own a business — or know someone who does — that could lend some building materials or expertise.
Or you can simply donate a few extra dollars to further a cause you already believe in. I'll be making my donation in Green Chip's name this week.
Informational cards and contact information are below. Join us here at Green Chip in showing your support for groups like these in any way possible. Friend them on Facebook. Send a few dollars.
Or write Robert an encouraging letter — he'd love to hear from you, and he always writes back.
Call it like you see it,
Nick
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