Andrey Ivanov immigrated from Kiev, Ukraine, to the U.S. in 1990 as one of 13 children raised with strong faith, work ethic, and a heart for service. He spent 10 years at Esco Steel Foundry, rising to project manager after earning a degree in Project Management. His 11 years of military service include eight in the U.S. Navy and a commission as an infantry officer in the Oregon Army National Guard.
In 2013, Andrey co-founded Flash Love, launching youth programs like The Spartan Challenge and Junior Warrior Training to build leadership, discipline, and purpose in the next generation. A father, mentor, and community builder, Andrey leads by example—committed to uplifting others through service, integrity, and action.
5 Days Until the Spartan Challenge – The Final Countdown
We’re just five days away from the next Spartan Challenge. And trust me — this is no ordinary event.
It’s a mission. It’s a movement. It’s a call to leadership readiness for the next generation of leaders.
The Preparation
For months, we’ve been planning. Now, every day is full throttle.
Countless volunteer hours — no one’s getting paid, but everyone shows up because they believe in the mission.
Gear checks — every boot, compass, first-aid kit, and radio has been checked, re-checked, and checked again.
Logistics in overdrive — mapping routes, staging equipment, reserving facilities, coordinating transportation. Moving an army of Spartans? Not for the faint of heart.
Food prep in full swing — hundreds of meals ready to fuel 168 hours of grit, sweat, and growth. It’s not just food for the body… it’s food for the spirit.
The Curriculum
This Challenge is more than just skills — it’s full-spectrum growth.
Every class cycle includes:
Hands-on training in First Aid, Survival, Land Navigation, Communication, and Leadership Under Pressure.
Mental growth strategies to strengthen resilience.
Emotional intelligence training to understand yourself and lead others well.
Communication mastery to bring clarity and confidence in any situation.
Confidence-building drills that push limits and expand capability.
Root cause work — we get to the bottom of what’s limiting each trainee and give them the tools to overcome it.
We don’t just train… we measure growth.
Each trainee is assessed before and after the Challenge.
We track measurable improvements in skill, mindset, and leadership ability.
Every graduate leaves with action steps to continue growing after the Challenge.
Some will pass. Some will fail.
But if they fail, they’ll have another opportunity next year — and we’ll be right here if they choose to rise again.
What We’re Anticipating
We’re not just counting down days… We’re counting down to breakthroughs.
Watching timid kids become confident leaders in just seven days.
The good kind of exhaustion — from giving 100% to something bigger than yourself.
Laughter, tears, and victories that will be remembered for years.
Stories that will inspire the next generation.
This Is It
In five days, the gates open. Boots hit the ground. The Spartan Challenge begins.
This isn’t just a camp. It’s a launchpad for a lifetime.
To every volunteer, donor, instructor, and silent supporter — thank you. This is the moment we’ve been working for.
Get ready. The next wave of leaders is about to rise.
A few days ago, I shared a photo of a homeless man sleeping beside a coffee shop in downtown Vancouver. My heart was heavy—not just for him, but for what this moment said about us. About our culture. Our indifference. Our failure to lead.
Shortly after, a local critic on a neighborhood app tried to chastise me, accusing me of “exploiting a vulnerable person.” He completely missed the point.
Every time I speak up, there’s always someone who takes offense— Not at the issue, But at the fact I dared to show it.
That right there… is the problem.
We’re living in a time where calling out the truth is more offensive than the truth itself. Where exposing reality gets more backlash than the brokenness we’re trying to fix. And we wonder why things aren’t changing.
Let me be clear:
I don’t post these things for likes. I’m not trying to go viral off someone else’s pain. I’m not here to collect applause or put on a “good guy” show.
I didn’t need to post about helping the kid in that photo— I did help him, off camera, after the fact, Like a man should. Quietly. Because that moment wasn’t about me. It was about the condition of our culture.
I didn’t show his face. I didn’t expose him. I exposed us.
We talk about leadership, legacy, character, responsibility— And yet when someone holds up a mirror to the failures in our system, We flinch. We react. We criticize. We ‘heroically’ type on our keyboards.
Not because it’s wrong— But because deep down, we know we’ve been comfortable doing nothing. That’s what makes us squirm.
We’ve got young men overdosing, Disappearing into screens, Spiraling into violence or depression— And society is more outraged by the photo than the problem.
Are you serious?
I don’t take joy in discomfort— But I believe in the power of confrontation.
If my words or images sting— It’s probably because they’re hitting the part of you that knows We could’ve done more. That we still can.
What we need now isn’t more emotional shielding. It’s moral courage. Less pearl-clutching. More sleeve-rolling.
If your first reaction to a call for responsibility is offense, Instead of action— You’re part of the reason we’re stuck.
We’ve normalized weakness and masked it as politeness. We’ve excused apathy as “staying in our lane.” And now, when someone dares to get loud about doing better, It rattles the comfort cage people have built around their conscience.
I’m not sorry for disturbing the peace— Because the peace was fake.
If we were really the wise, responsible generation we like to believe we are, Our youth wouldn’t be drowning While we sit back and post nostalgic memes about “the good old days.”
The good old days failed too—because they produced this.
So don’t tell me it’s “too much.”
What’s too much is:
Burying another son who didn’t have direction
Another girl who never got protected
Another generation that doesn’t know what real leadership looks like Because we traded action for opinion, And vision for victimhood
Most of us think leadership starts with a platform. A stage. An audience. We build our presence before we build our backbone.
Then pressure hits. Criticism comes. The crowd thins. And we collapse because our foundation was built on applause, not assignment.
Real thought leadership doesn’t come from having the loudest voice or the most followers. It comes from standing rooted in clarity when everyone else is confused.
The difference between leaders who last and leaders who crumble isn’t talent or timing. It’s where they source their authority.
The False Foundation Problem
We live in an attention economy that rewards noise over substance. Hot takes get more engagement than hard truths. Trending opinions get more traction than tested principles.
So we optimize for the wrong metrics. We chase visibility instead of integrity. We build platforms before we build character.
The result? Leaders who sound impressive but have no weight behind their words. Who can inspire in the spotlight but collapse in the shadows.
When your identity is anchored in external validation, you become a slave to public opinion. Every decision gets filtered through “Will this make people happy?” instead of “Is this aligned with truth?”
That’s not leadership. That’s performance art.
Where Real Authority Gets Forged
Real authority gets forged in loss. In the moments when everything the world says you need for success disappears, and you have to ask yourself: Do I still believe in this?
We discover the difference between being liked and being called. One fades the moment you stop pleasing people. The other gets louder the more you obey it.
Private faithfulness looks like doing what you said you believe, even when there’s no spotlight, no applause, and no one keeping score but you.
It’s the quiet choices that nobody sees:
Waking up early to study when your body says sleep. Showing up for your family with strength after a day that drained you. Saying no to shortcuts even when nobody would know. Choosing to build character when you could build clout.
This is where depth gets built. And in a shallow world, depth is your advantage.
Everyone wants public impact, but few are willing to be forged in private obedience. That’s exactly where the real ones get made.
The Challenge vs Cruelty Distinction
Here’s where most leaders get it wrong. They think being tough means being harsh. They confuse challenge with cruelty.
The line between them comes down to intent and outcome. Cruelty breaks people down for your ego. Challenge builds them up for their potential.
Challenge restores dignity. Cruelty steals it.
When you challenge someone because you see who they could become, that’s love disguised as pressure. When you make things hard just to prove your power, that’s cruelty disguised as leadership.
We don’t challenge people to make them suffer. We challenge them because the world will, and if we don’t help them build the muscles mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to carry weight now, life will crush them later when no one’s watching.
The pain is always paired with purpose. The friction serves a function.
Building Your Unshakeable Foundation
If you’re tired of playing it safe but terrified of the cost, start here: Get absolutely clear on your “why.” The one you’d bleed for.
Not the one that sounds good online. Not the one that earns applause. But the one that keeps you up at night. The one that, if no one ever supported you, you’d still do it anyway.
Write it down. Burn the fluff. Get to the blood of it.
Then test it in private. Make decisions today that align with it, even when no one’s watching. Especially then.
Your foundation isn’t built in the spotlight. It’s built in silence. And if you can be faithful there, when no one sees, you’ll be unshakeable when everyone does.
You’re ready to step into the public arena when you’re no longer dependent on the outcome. When you speak because it’s true, not because you want a reaction. When your life can back your words.
Leading with Integrated Conviction
Real leadership is spiritual at the core. Every decision flows from a belief system, whether you call it faith, values, or just “what feels right.”
We don’t need to hide our convictions to lead effectively. We just need to live them with humility, consistency, and courage.
People are starving for leaders who actually believe in something real. Something that doesn’t shift with public opinion or market research.
You don’t convert people through arguments. You represent truth through how you live, lead, and love. The integrity speaks before your words do.
When your identity is anchored in calling, not clapping, you become dangerous to systems that prey on weakness and a lifeline to those ready to rise.
The world needs clearer voices, not louder ones. Rooted in purpose. Untouchable by praise. Unmoved by rejection.
Don’t chase visibility. Chase integrity. Authority comes when your soul agrees with your actions.
That’s when your voice carries weight. That’s when people stop scrolling and start listening.
Because truth spoken from conviction echoes longer than noise shouted for attention.
What’s failing in this generation isn’t them. It’s us.
We—the “all-knowing,” “experienced,” “wise” leaders—are the ones who fell asleep at the wheel. Somewhere along the road of responsibility, we dozed off, lulled by comfort, distraction, or the illusion that “our part was done.” We got caught up in our own success, our own busyness, and stopped doing the very thing we were once proud of—leading.
Now, all over society, I hear the same tired tune:
“These kids today… always on their phones.”
“They don’t want to work.”
“They’re entitled. Lazy. Soft.”
But I don’t hear many taking responsibility.
Leadership is not about standing on a stage and talking big. It’s about owning what’s broken—and being the first to rebuild it. As John Maxwell said just this week, “Organizations rise and fall on leadership.” That principle applies to our homes, our schools, our businesses, our churches, and our nation. It applies to us.
If we were really so amazing back then—so full of grit, strength, and vision—then where’s the fruit of it now?
If our generation was truly “awesome,” then why didn’t that awesomeness create more awesome?
The answer is hard to swallow: somewhere along the path, we stumbled. We neglected this generation. And now we have the audacity to point fingers, scoff, and criticize them for the very behaviors that grew in the soil of our absence.
Shame on us.
But here’s the good news—we’re not staying in shame. We’re taking ownership.
We’ve gone back to the root—the core. We’ve begun rebuilding what we failed to protect: vision, structure, leadership, and purpose.
That’s why we created a pipeline that starts as young as five years old—Junior Warrior Training—teaching boys and girls to take ownership of their actions, lead with integrity, and serve their communities with pride. By their teens, they’re entering The Spartan Challenge, being forged into disciplined, responsible, and confident young adults who know how to carry weight and face adversity. After that, we move into Spartan Advanced Leadership Training (SALT)—where real-life mission execution, emotional resilience, and civic impact are at the center.
And it doesn’t stop there.
From there, these young leaders are apprenticing with ethical business owners, launching their careers, building affordable homes through our Housing Incubator Project, and being mentored into entrepreneurs and change-makers through our BEST (Building Equity and Sustainable Transformation) Collaborative.
We’re not just saying “they can do better.” We’re saying we must do better, and we are doing better—together.
This isn’t about placing blame. It’s about reclaiming responsibility.
It’s about waking up at the wheel, locking eyes with the generation we almost lost, and saying:
“We see you. We believe in you. And we’re building a future—with you in it.”
Let’s raise the standard again.
Let’s make “awesome” contagious.
Let’s stop scoffing and start showing up.
Because this generation isn’t lost.
They’re waiting.
📣 Want to be part of the solution? Sponsor a trainee. Mentor a young leader. Partner with us. Click here to Partner or Donate and help equip a generation that’s ready to rise.
It’s not poverty, drugs, or broken homes alone that are destroying this generation.
It’s the lack of vision—deep, focused, purpose-driven vision—that’s robbing our sons and daughters of their future.
We live in the most opportunity-rich nation in history, yet our streets are filled with young people numbing themselves with alcohol, technology, or anything that distracts them from their own pain and potential. Not because opportunity isn’t out there—but because no one showed them how to reach it. No one trained them. No one believed in them early enough.
Worse, many of us—even with good intentions—have crushed their dreams without realizing it. We’ve told them to “be realistic” when they dared to aim higher than we did. We smothered their fire with our fears. We told them to settle for safety because we didn’t have the tools or resources to guide them further.
So we built the tools. We forged the path. And we are raising a generation with vision.
The Leadership Pipeline: Raising Leaders From 5 to 55
This movement starts early—as early as five years old—through our Junior Warrior Training (JWT) program. These kids don’t just play. They serve. They learn responsibility, physical fitness, basic first aid, rescue training, survival skills, and above all—honor.
From there, the pipeline leads into The Spartan Challenge (TSC)—an intense 168-hour leadership program for youth ages 14–18 and a 120-hour executive course for those 18+. This is where they’re tested. Where they learn to take initiative, operate under pressure, serve their team, and lead with strength and empathy.
After TSC, they enter SALT—Spartan Advanced Leadership Training—our 6-month course for ages 14+. This is where we develop whole leaders: emotionally resilient, mentally focused, physically strong, and purpose-driven. They learn finance, legal literacy, communication, and discover their calling through service and mission-based learning.
B.E.S.T. — Where Vision Becomes Vocation
Our leadership training doesn’t end with motivation. It transitions into skill-based training and real career pathways.
Through our Building Equity and Sustainable Transformation (B.E.S.T.) Collaborative, we partner with ethical business owners and industry experts—people who understand that true ROI is found in people.
These partners don’t just hand out jobs—they offer apprenticeships, mentorship, and leadership roles to young adults coming out of our pipeline. They invest in character. In discipline. In potential. And in return, they gain reliable, trustworthy, and equipped team members ready to serve and grow their companies.
Some of our graduates go on to start their own businesses, backed by training, cooperative infrastructure, bridge loans, and ongoing mentorship. This isn’t just employment—it’s empowerment.
Housing Incubator Project: Rebuilding Stability
But even the most capable leaders struggle without stability.
That’s why we’re developing the Housing Incubator Project—affordable, functional, and beautiful homes built by our trainees. Not only are we lowering the cost of living, but we’re teaching young adults the trades, financial literacy, and ownership mindset in the process.
This is the final piece of the pipeline—homeownership and legacy. These young men and women go from struggling to find purpose to owning homes, running businesses, and leading others. They don’t just escape the system—they rise above it, and they bring others with them.
More information on the Housing Incubator Project is coming soon.
More Than a Handout — It’s a Way Out
Recently, I walked into Compass Coffee where I saw a man sleeping outside the store. I woke him up, offered him food and a hot drink. But that act of kindness only fed him for a day.
But what if someone had intercepted him years ago, when he was still a boy—lost, confused, unsure who he could trust or what he could become?
What if he had gone through Junior Warrior Training? What if he had discovered his strength through The Spartan Challenge? What if he had been mentored by an ethical tradesman through B.E.S.T., started his own company, and now had a home, a family, and a future?
Instead, he’s out there—alone, cold, and broken. Not because he couldn’t have succeeded, but because no one equipped him early enough. No one cast vision over his life. No one gave him access to the tools that could’ve changed everything.
We Have the Tools. We Just Need You.
We’ve built the vision. We’ve structured the path. Now we need you—parents, business owners, partners, and donors—to join us in transforming this generation.
Don’t just throw food at the hungry. Don’t just pray over the broken. Walk with them. Train them. Build something that lasts.
We’re building more than structures—we’re building lives.
Legacy Building and Development partners with The Spartan Challenge and Junior Warrior Training to raise up the next generation of ethical leaders through hands-on experience, mentorship, and transformational youth programs. If you believe in investing where it matters most—our youth—here are four powerful ways to get involved:
There are people who talk about changing the world — and then there are those who do it.
Alex Mironov left
Today, we pause to honor a man whose actions speak louder than most voices ever will.
Alex Mironov has been a cornerstone in helping us raise the next generation of leaders through The Spartan Challenge and Junior Warrior Training — not with speeches or slogans, but with selfless, consistent support.
Alex isn’t exactly subtle — his energy fills the room before he even opens the door.
He’s bold, loud, and impossible to miss… until it comes to the good he does.
Then he goes quiet.
No fanfare. No humblebrag. Just quiet action, deep compassion, and a legacy he’s building — without ever needing the credit.
Over the years, more than 20 young trainees have stepped into life-changing leadership training because Alex stood in the gap. He helped carry the heavy financial weight of sponsorships so youth who had heart and potential — but not the resources — could still rise.
And why? In Alex’s own words:
“I was one of those many boys who desperately needed a program just like this when I was young and needed guidance, and there was none. So I’m happy to give the youth every chance possible with the means that I have now.”
That right there is the heart of a true leader: not bitterness over what he didn’t have, but a burning drive to make sure no one else goes without.
Alex isn’t just sponsoring trainees — he’s planting legacy. He’s giving these young leaders the tools, structure, and confidence to step out of chaos and into purpose. He’s helping build fathers, protectors, builders, servants, and leaders for a nation in desperate need of them.
Six more trainees are fighting to join Class 009 before the August 5th deadline. They’re pushing hard, working jobs, doing what they can… but they still need help.
This is the moment for others to step up — just like Alex has.
Will you be the reason one more young man or woman gets to change the trajectory of their life?
Your donation isn’t just a handout — it’s a launchpad.
Here’s how to help:
All contributions are tax-deductible through Flash Love
You can sponsor a full scholarship, or give any amount toward a partial
Each sponsor will receive a follow-up and the story of the trainee they helped
The next generation is rising. Let’s make sure they have every opportunity to lead well.
To Alex — thank you for not just talking about change. Thank you for being it. To everyone else — the future is calling and it looks like our children. Will you be the answer?
We have 8 courageous young people who have stepped forward to face one of the most intense and transformational leadership experiences of their lives: The Spartan Challenge.
They’ve signed up. They’ve shared their hearts. Now—they need you.
Each of these youth has overcome hardship, battled self-doubt, and chosen to rise. They’re not looking for a handout—they’re asking for a partner to believe in them.
You can be that partner
Sponsor a Spartan and you’ll be personally matched with a trainee whose story will move you. Many come from families who simply cannot afford the cost but are committed to seeing their child become strong, disciplined, and purpose-driven.
What Your Sponsorship Includes:
✅ Assigned youth profile with their story, photo, and goals ✅ Personal update before and after the training ✅ The chance to track their growth and transformation ✅ A thank-you message or update directly from the youth you support
Ready to sponsor?
→ We’ll send you your assigned Spartan within 48 hours
“My family can’t afford to pay this expense, but I want to become stronger and more responsible.” “I doubt myself too much. I believe The Spartan Challenge will help me prove that I’m capable of more than I think.” “I want to grow into a man of discipline and purpose.”
This is your opportunity to directly change the trajectory of a young life. Not through theory—but through action.
We’ll also celebrate your sponsorship publicly (unless you prefer to remain anonymous) and offer a shout-out for your business or organization on our social media and website.
his morning on my run, I passed a man slumped on the sidewalk. His body tangled in the cart to protect his belongings, a hoodie pulled tight to block out the world. The stench of liquor lingered in the air. His shopping cart—half full of cans—displayed hours of work from the night before. He wasn’t just sleeping. He was surviving.
And I couldn’t shake one thought: What if someone had paid attention when he was still a boy?
What if someone had seen the signs—the quiet sadness, the fights behind closed doors, the screaming, the drugs, the absence of peace? What if someone had looked past the mess and saw the potential?
What if he had a mentor?
Not a savior. Just a steady hand. A man or woman who pulled him aside before life collapsed. Someone who said, “You matter. You belong. Let me show you another way.”
We Know the Pattern… But What If We Could Break It?
We in the Church are often praised for our compassion—we give sleeping bags, serve hot meals, donate hygiene kits. That’s good. We should do those things.
But is it enough to treat the symptoms while ignoring the disease?
What if we shifted our focus from rescue to prevention?
What if we didn’t wait until the boy was addicted, incarcerated, or sleeping on the sidewalk to care?
What if we invested early?
I’m talking about reaching youth at the most critical moments of their development—before life teaches them to numb their pain, before bitterness sets in, before hopelessness becomes normal.
And the good news is—we have the solution.
Junior Warrior Training & The Spartan Challenge
At Flash Love, we’ve spent years building the kind of programs that change trajectories.
Our Junior Warrior Training (ages 5–13) and The Spartan Challenge (ages 14–20) are more than just leadership programs—they’re transformation zones.
We train kids and teens to become strong, ethical, mission-driven leaders through hands-on learning, real responsibility, mentorship, and team-based challenges that build mental toughness, empathy, and purpose.
They learn first aid, rescue skills, disaster relief, community service, physical fitness, and most importantly—how to lead themselves and others with courage and integrity.
We are equipping the next generation before they’re broken, before they fall through the cracks, before they become the man I saw this morning.
These youth don’t need another lecture. They need vision, structure, and someone who believes in them enough to train them for greatness.
This Is Where You Come In
We can’t do this alone.
We need partners. We need local businesses. We need parents, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors to step up and say: “Not on our watch.”
If you’re a business owner, this is your opportunity to shape your community, invest in the workforce of tomorrow, and be a part of writing stories that end in triumph—not tragedy.
You can sponsor a trainee, volunteer your time, offer apprenticeship opportunities, or donate resources to help us reach more youth before it’s too late.
Because that man on the sidewalk?
He was once a boy. And he needed someone. Just like the ones we serve today.
Let’s not wait until they’re sleeping on the street to care.
Let’s be the kind of people who show up before the storm.
Let’s build strong boys and girls, so we don’t have to rescue broken men and women.
The class is full—but you still have a shot. We’ve unlocked five extra seat in the upcoming class. If you, your teen, or a friend has been hovering on the edge, let the voices of past trainees push you over that line:
“When I first signed up, I just wanted to escape the house… By the end I saw life clearer, felt my team beside me, and prayed for strength to never quit.”
— Isaac, Trainee #6
“Every step felt like a marathon, but we kept going—driven by sheer determination.”
— Kayla, Trainee #3
“It wasn’t a ‘get‑strong’ camp. It taught me endurance, respect, accountability, leadership, and real teamwork.”
— Gideon, Trainee #10
Why do it? Applicant #23 (kept anonymous) said it best:
“My weakness is self‑doubt, but my strength is determination… I believe The Spartan Challenge will push me past my limits and prove I’m capable of more than I think.”
If that echoes in your gut, this is your moment.
Three Ways to Act — Right Now
Grab a Seat: Lock in one of the last five spots before registration slams shut.
Nominate a Warrior: Forward this to a parent, coach, or mentor who knows someone who needs the forge.
Sponsor the Next Leader: Sixteen motivated trainees still need funding. Underwrite a slot and watch their progress start to finish.
⏳ Deadline: When the final five seats are claimed, enrollment is over.
She was so young, vulnerable and curled up in the grass asleep.
This morning I went for a walk—nothing out of the ordinary. The sun was rising, the streets were quiet, and I was deep in thought about the work we’re doing. But as I turned a corner, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks.
There, near the edge of the sidewalk, was a young woman—maybe in her late teens or early twenties—curled up in the grass, asleep. She was wearing only light clothes and a hoodie. No sleeping bag. No tent. No protection. Vulnerable. Alone.
I didn’t see her face. I didn’t ask her name. But I didn’t have to. Because I’ve seen her before. Not her specifically—but the story. Too many times.
This is someone’s daughter. And she’s sleeping outside on the ground.
In the richest, most resourceful country in the world—how is this possible?
The Pain of Knowing We Could Be Doing More
The hardest part of seeing her wasn’t just the sadness of the moment—it was the knowledge that we have a solution, and yet still face endless delays.
For years, my team and I have been working on what we call the Housing Incubator Project—a transformative model that doesn’t just house people, it empowers them.
We teach young people how to build their own homes, give them the tools, training, and mentorship to earn trades certifications, and then guide them into home ownership, employment, or business launch within a cooperative community setting.
These homes are affordable. The process is restorative. The long-term impact is life-changing.
It’s a program that makes sense economically, socially, and spiritually.
But we’ve encountered more resistance than we ever anticipated—not from the poor or the helpless, but from people and systems that seem more interested in control, compliance, or bureaucracy than real solutions. Some of it is ignorance. Some of it is fear. And some of it, sadly, is sabotage.
Time Is the Enemy Now
We’re not waiting on ideas. We’re not waiting on technology or material. We’re not even waiting on skilled workers—we’re training them ourselves.
What we’re waiting on is alignment. Conviction. Courage. Support.
Every delay costs another young person their stability, their safety, and sometimes their future.
We have youth ready to be trained. We have land and floorplans ready for development. We have business owners lined up to offer apprenticeships. We have community partners ready to mentor and guide.
What we don’t have is time.
Because every time we hesitate, another daughter sleeps on the street. Another son spirals into depression. Another life slips further away from purpose and toward survival mode.
The Government Won’t Fix This—But We Can
I’m not saying this with cynicism—I’m saying it with clarity. The government is not the answer.
The answer is us. You. Me. Local leaders. Donors. Builders. Neighbors.
We don’t need more studies. We need action. We need people with resources and conviction to put their names and support behind something that actually works.
We don’t just need checks—we need champions. Partners who see the long game. Who believe that building people is how we rebuild cities. That investing in youth and housing isn’t charity—it’s strategy.
What You Can Do Right Now
If your heart is stirred like mine, then don’t let this pass as just another sad story.
Here’s how you can help today:
Sponsor a home – Fund the materials to build a $85,000 starter home that teaches, trains, and transforms a young life.
Sponsor a trainee – Provide the support for a young man or woman to go through our leadership and construction training, start a career, and never sleep on the ground again.
Connect us – Introduce us to contractors, landowners, mayors, church leaders, or business mentors who care about solving real problems.
Become a partner – Join our coalition of builders, investors, and nonprofits working together for lasting change.
Share this vision – Use your voice and network to amplify this mission.
We will send you the story and progress of the youth you sponsor. You will get to see their transformation. Not just a photo. A future.
The Final Word: We Can Do Better
That young woman sleeping in the grass… I can’t stop thinking about her.
And I don’t want to.
Because we shouldn’t look away from things that break our hearts—we should let them drive us to action.
We are not helpless. We are not without options. We have everything we need—except the will to act.
But I believe that’s changing. I believe more people are ready. I believe that if you’ve read this far, you’re one of them.
Let’s stop hoping someone else will fix it. Let’s build the future we all deserve.
