Social entrepreneurship was a foreign term to me this time last year. I had just finished a year in South American volunteering in different areas. I had an opportunity to see parts of the world where others struggle on a regular basis to make ends meet. I realized that coming from a place of privilege, I had a rare chance to make a significant impact. While this would not be immediate, I knew a foundation could be set for later on.
Teaching English gave me an opportunity to meet a variety of people, and there were many who stood out as particularly ambitious beyond just in their learning of the language. They genuinely wanted to make something happen in their communities. I specifically remember a student named Diomar who, one day, laid out his plan for his hometown. Situated on the beach, he wanted to start a series of hostels promoting environmental conservation. That really stuck with me.
Teaching English gave me an opportunity to meet a variety of people, and there were many who stood out as particularly ambitious beyond just in their learning of the language. They genuinely wanted to make something happen in their communities. I specifically remember a student named Diomar who, one day, laid out his plan for his hometown. Situated on the beach, he wanted to start a series of hostels promoting environmental conservation. That really stuck with me.
Diomar is in the white t-shirt
When I came back home, while I hadn’t learned the formal term for it, I knew what I wanted to focus on. I loved the idea of owning a problem and making something happen out of it. Innovation is the key to change, and I think that lies at the core of what social entrepreneurship means to me. It is acting on a vision.
As we face challenges in the world we live in, I believe innovation will be essential. Leaders like Diomar need to act on their creative ideas, reflecting new approaches and potential solutions to issues at hand. I am thankful to be in a position to learn more about this while in Detroit, a city that seems to thriving with young entrepreneurs. Working at Detroit Food Academy had provided me a first-hand look into social entrepreneurship. I have been working with Small Batch, a for profit branch of DFA generating a variety of food products. I have been involved in Mitten Bites in particular- a no-bake snack bar. The youth unemployment rate in Detroit has been a pressing issue. DFA tries to tackle this by providing young people opportunities to work and learn about the culinary industry. I think this is the best of both worlds, as it aims to become a self-sufficient enterprise benefiting the city in more ways than supplying a product.
I feel like I have found something I am really passionate about. I wake up every day excited to see what can be done to help them grow. I realize there is only so much I can do, but I am ready to fully commit to becoming more and more of a help as I learn about something I deeply value.
As we face challenges in the world we live in, I believe innovation will be essential. Leaders like Diomar need to act on their creative ideas, reflecting new approaches and potential solutions to issues at hand. I am thankful to be in a position to learn more about this while in Detroit, a city that seems to thriving with young entrepreneurs. Working at Detroit Food Academy had provided me a first-hand look into social entrepreneurship. I have been working with Small Batch, a for profit branch of DFA generating a variety of food products. I have been involved in Mitten Bites in particular- a no-bake snack bar. The youth unemployment rate in Detroit has been a pressing issue. DFA tries to tackle this by providing young people opportunities to work and learn about the culinary industry. I think this is the best of both worlds, as it aims to become a self-sufficient enterprise benefiting the city in more ways than supplying a product.
I feel like I have found something I am really passionate about. I wake up every day excited to see what can be done to help them grow. I realize there is only so much I can do, but I am ready to fully commit to becoming more and more of a help as I learn about something I deeply value.
The interns with the Mitten Bites!
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