Here is a story from The Greenhouse, an afterschool program in North Sacramento. I love the last line. I think the context of the story is important. The Greenhouse runs right next to an 800+ unit apartment complex set aside for residents who make under 60% of the median income. In the 2000 census this census tract had the highest density of children under 18 in the Sacramento MSA. A traditional model would expect these kids to be raising money to help themselves and their families. But consistently, over the years, the young people here have chosen projects to help others: clothing drives, feeding homeless folks that regularly walk through their neighborhood and now, Haitians effected by the earthquake. I did some "leadership training" with them a few years ago and was struck by the fact that they did not buy into or act out the labels that all the social service and housing providers had placed on these kids. They didn't see themselves "at risk", they saw themselves as givers and doers. And they proceed to give and to do. Fortunately, the staff of The Greenhouse see these young people for all they are and not just as "needy children."

"Community Led Project Raises $1100 for Haiti!

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, we asked our youth a simple question, "What can we do to help?" One fifth grader named Perla replied, We could sell tamales. It was a brilliant idea.

The next week, Perla began knocking on doors, asking women from the neighborhood if theyd be willing to make tamales for the project. The women were eager to donate their time and talent to help out. Before long, several of them had signed-on to make over 300 homemade tamales.

Around that same time, Community Presbyterian Church gave one of its members $100 and an assignment: to multiple the money and then give it to a worthy cause. The timing was just right. That $100 became the "seed" money that purchased the ingredients for the tamales.

On February 28, Perla and a friend helped gather the nearly 300 fresh, warm tamales and transport them to Sanctuary Covenant Church where they were sold for $2.00 each. Around $600 was raised on the tamales alone. Others from Community Presbyterian Church caught wind of the project and began to make cash donations. In the end, the Tamales for Haiti project raised $1100 for Heartline Ministries in Haiti! We are so proud of Perla and all of the GreenHouse kids who helped with the project. And, we are grateful to all of the women from our neighborhood who sacrificially gave of their time, talent, and resources to make the tamales. This project was a demonstration of asset-based community development at its best. An idea from the community, relevant to the community, using the gifts of the community can make a powerful impact!"