City Repair, a team launched by Michael Cook, realized that they could transform a home, a street, a neighborhood, a city… one block at a time. Traveling to various neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon, Michael works with communities and schools to creatively and positively transform the places they call home.

We’re living in a time that’s very much on the edge of something big. We don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re in a place now where we can really make big change. Change is just… ready. And the best way to start it is in your immediate area. The activism of place-making involves individuals discovering their own stories, dreams, and passions, and finding that point where their visions intersect with the world’s needs. -Michael Cook

As I walked through the halls of Georgia State University today on my way to class, I paid close attention to the countless soda machines and water fountains. I couldn’t help but hear this statistic running through my mind…

That’s 1 billion+ people.

Like most Americans, I have the privilege and luxury of accessing clean water whenever and wherever I want. I can buy bottled water, drink from a local water fountain, or choose from a variety of beverages altogether. It’s convenient. Yet, the thought of 1,000,000,000+ people not having access to clean water at all just freaks me out.

I’ve been doing some research of different groups of out-of-the-box people who have rallied around a cause or idea. Many of these groups have established businesses, organizations, and even churches that have made major impact in our culture and world over the last decade. I want to highlight one in particular…

“To Write Love On Her Arms”

I heard about this group of amazing young adults about 2 years ago. Their story and vision is beyond extraordinary! I didn’t realize that the name of their group is also their cause, which is, “To Write Love On Her Arms” or “To present hope and find help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.” And in some cases, it is to literally write love on the arms of those who have suffered from the issue of cutting. Cutting has become a common response to young adult and teen depression. And in some cases, it leads to suicide.

I recently finished reading a book by Seth Godin called Tribes. Towards the end, he says something that literally challenged me as a young leader. He said,

Atlanta flood victims are in need of our help!

After the devastating flood that hit certain portions of Atlanta about 3 weeks ago, thousands – THOUSANDS – of hard working families are without homes, clothes, cars and a since of hope. They need our help!

With just around 10% of flood victims having flood insurance, Atlanta runs the real risk of having a major homeless crisis with these folk if we don’t help them and give them hope…right away!