One single Mom, 50 states, 52 weeks: this was Dafna Michaelson’s credo as she began traveling across the US searching for people who were “moving America forward.” She continues this goal by visiting The Balancing Act and introducing viewers to the Journey Institute, her non-profit organization built to help others succeed in changing their communities.
Michaelson’s own journey began one day when her boyfriend asked her what she would do if she won the lottery. This seemingly innocuous inquiry triggered something inside of her, and it was then that she realized her dream of seeking out and encouraging community service. With or without the lottery money, she would do whatever it would take to accomplish her goal.
She quit her job as a hospital volunteer director, cashed in her 401K, and began traveling to a different state each week, talking to political leaders and interviewing regular people who stood out in their communities as champions of change. She documented her journey online and through local and national media, and made amazing discoveries every step of the way.
Joining her on The Balancing Act is one of the incredible people Dafne had the pleasure of meeting while on her “50 in 52” journey. Mike Rosenfeld is an ex-gang member whose world was filled with violence from a young age. Later on, however, he was able to go to college and eventually began to help other gang members break away from the life of crime and discover their full potential. He started Youth Expressions Inc, a non-profit organization committed to changing the future for at-risk urban kids.
As for Dafne, she created the Journey Institute, which continues the mission of the “50 in 52 ” project by helping people that want to make a change in their community get the resources needed to do so. The Journey Institute holds a quarterly summit in Colorado where future leaders learn how to create a business plan, marketing strategy, and fundraising campaign that will bring their ideas to life. Accepted participants have the opportunity to receive an all-expense paid trip to the summit, and even a small grant to get them started in their community.
Get inspired to start your own journey by visiting www.journeyinstitute.org
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