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.

Brendan Smullen

At the Yoga Shala we have a policy of advertising most classes at a sliding scale, a nod to the idea of “gift economy” where those with the means support those without. So far we have been able to provide scholarships to over a dozen practitioners and provide subsidized training to yoga teachers looking to advance their practice and experience. Read more>>

Rob Snow

The Improvaneer Method teaches improvisation to build skills in individuals with developmental disabilities that will greatly increase social, workplace, and lifetime opportunities. The reason this is needed is because while there may be a decent amount of opportunities available to people with developmental disabilities, they often don’t match the individual’s true abilities. Many times, these opportunities are sort of pigeon-holed into a one-size-fits-all approach, and we know that this group has so many different abilities that they can share with the world in so many different ways. Read more>>

Blake Forkner

By training service dogs, I can provide invaluable assistance to individuals with a variety of disabilities. Service dogs not only improve the quality of life for their handlers but also promote independence, inclusion and a sense of community and belonging. Service dogs can assist the underserved by enhancing their mobility and independence. For example, a service dog can help a person with a physical disability by retrieving items, opening doors, or even pulling a wheelchair. These tasks may seem simple, but they have a profound impact on the individual’s ability to navigate the world with confidence and autonomy. Service dogs also provide a sense of safety and security, particularly for individuals with conditions such as PTSD. By being trained to create a physical barrier between their handler and others, these dogs offer a sense of comfort and protection in challenging situations. Read more>>

Edith Greenwood

The Conception Studio photo, video, streaming, and digital marketing helps serve underserved communities and youth groups, through: 1. Tailored Programs and Services: that include educational workshops in photography, videography, hands on vocational training in a professional studio, one-on-one mentorship for students seeking skill sets in digital media and the communications field.  Read more>>

Avneet Singh

Regent Row serves the plus-size men who have historically faced limited options in the apparel market. The mainstream fashion industry often overlooks this demographic, despite it representing 10% of the total market and growing twice as fast as mainstream sizes. The challenges this community faces are multifaceted. Many brands either don’t offer larger sizes or, if they do, they use cheaper materials and poor designs that compromise comfort and fit. This neglect stems from the fact that producing larger sizes is more expensive, requiring more resources. As a result, many plus-size men struggle to find clothing that fits well, feels comfortable, and suits their personal style. Read more>>