One of the most important ways to have a large impact in life is by focusing on communities that are ignored and overlooked. These communities are often the ones most in need of help, tools, and services but for a variety of reasons the largest players in most industries chose not to work on serving them. We’ve been so touched by the thousands of members of our community who are working on serving the underserved from tackling food deserts to building empowering solutions for the neurodiverse. Each week, you’ll find us highlighting folks serving underserved communities.

Brynn Evida

My business doesn’t directly serve an underserved community, but I use portions of my income to spend time volunteering at a local dog rescue, Angel City Pit Bulls, here in Los Angeles. Truthfully, my photography doesn’t earn me as much income as I dream it can, but the fact that I make enough to put gas in my car and spend time helping these dogs is invaluable to me. I’m working on ways to use my photography to help promote the dog’s image and build up their adoption profiles, which I’ve seen other photographers do and I’m so excited about. Read more>>

Rachel Peck

431 Ministries tends to the needs of the overlooked and underserved women of Middle Tennessee by providing safety and stability and offering hope and a plan for an independent future. On a practical level, this means that we don’t tell women what they need to do or where they need to go, but instead “tend” them by standing in the gap and advocating on their behalf. We provide necessary tools and skills needed to understand what it means to have a safe place to live as well as the rhythms of stability to maintain that safety and look at each woman as a whole person. Read more>>

Izzy Newman

Portland, Maine in currently facing a homelessness and food insecurity crisis. In August of 2022, I packed my bags and my camera, and moved to Portland to join the team at the Preble Street Food Secuirty Hub as an AmeriCorps VISTA. As I found my footing within the organization, my role evolved beyond its initial confines. A passion for photography that had long been close to my heart took on new significance. I directed my lens towards the bustling heart of our operations: the kitchen. Here, amidst the orchestrated chaos, staff members diligently prepared, cooked, and packaged around 2,000 meals every day. Through my photography, I uncovered the journey of the local food we received – tracing their origins, capturing the faces of those who would be nourished, and even tasting the delicious recipes. Read more>>

Ian Cahill

As a music producer I am always interested to hear what the young artists are up to. With the intention to create a professional relationship with them, which I then assume the role of a mentor. The years that it took me to achieve what I have thus far were long and difficult. I started perusing music with a professional mindset in 2003. Over the years I had tried so many different ways to learn how to be successful in this industry. Many of which were beneficial as well as distractions that was unnecessary. So I feel a undying sense of urgency with a strong passion to help these young artists get to where they want to be faster. I recently have taken on 3 young artists as their mentor. Read more>>