Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1T5xFEQ. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Jean Krisle is a miracle worker. She observed a problem we all seem to recognize–a lack of free drug treatment beds for those who most need the help. Unlike the rest of us, Jean did something about it. Jean launched 10,000 Beds, Inc., a nonprofit dedicating to finding free treatment beds for addicts who have no resources and no where else to go. The beds come from treatment facilities around the country, which Jean asks them to donate. Jean has learned some lessons from her efforts and shares three tips that will help any social entrepreneur make miracles happen: 1.Collaborate. There are myriads of problems in our world that seem overwhelming, but solutions are available if we can simply think creatively, be proactive, and increase collaboration between organizations. Be creative. The fact that there are solutions available to the challenge you are facing, doesn’t preclude another BETTER solution from being out there. 2. Think differently. For us, instead of asking people for $20,000 to provide a scholarship for addiction treatment, we went directly to the treatment centers and talked to them about providing a scholarship bed. This approach is unheard of in our industry, but it makes so much sense. 3. Be brave. It’s not easy to venture out on your own and ask questions that for some reason have never been asked before. It takes courage and passion and commitment to do so. For us, it seemed like our approach made so much sense that there must be a good reason it hadn’t been done before. We almost didn’t ask! But then we believed in our idea, built up and courage and started asking, and the response from treatment facilities has been amazing. Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1T5xFEQ. Please consider whether a friend or colleague might benefit from this piece and, if so, share it.
#409: Miracle Worker Offers Tips for Impact