After the van got broken into and ransacked for a second time, it wasn’t something that would get me down. I’ve learned that any experience is an opportunity for growth, for change. I decided to give profits from this week’s print sales (andrewknapp.com/prints) to a charity.

I’ve never researched charities as much as I have this past week. I feel like I’ve only brushed the surface of this world of giving.

Websites like GiveWell and movements like effective altruism help define the many variables in putting your dollars and energy to best use (I recommend giving Peter Singer’s TED talk a watch). Charity, more broadly, is something I think can happen in more ways than giving money or time. It could simply be our outlook or our kindness towards strangers.

We’ll be donating to Take a Hike Foundation (@takeahikefdn), a local organization. “A full-time alternative education program that engages at-risk youth through a unique combination of adventure-based learning, academics, therapy, and community involvement.” Having spoken with them, their mandate matches up so well with my hopes of giving positive and nurturing experiences to at-risk youth locally. They currently run 4 classes a year and are looking at expanding. I’m looking forward to working with them, and hoping for the possibility of getting involved personally.

There are so many amazing charities you shared with me, @pureedgeinc, @thekitchenincmo, @_danslarue, @friendsofkohrong, @directionsfoodprogram, Sparkes of Hope, and so many more. It’s refreshing to learn how many people are working for fairness, for equality, for justice. Your selflessness and altruism inspire me. Despite overbearingly bad decisions by some of our leaders, there’s always hope in the power of numbers.