“We need to re-mythologize our heroes. Of course, they were only human beings like the rest of us … But they had great gifts And, due to fate or chance or perhaps providence, great currents of human and social energy passed through them” Jacob Needleman, The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders
Initially, seven monographs will relate the stories of how things happened to transform the fabric of society in the United States during the 20th century. In partnership with the Extra Mile- Points of Light Volunteer Pathway!, the Human Spirit Initiative is creating a series of monographs to pay tribute to a group of ordinary people who did
extraordinary things, to tell their stories and point the way for us today.
They are the men and women who always appear when leadership is called for. They may seem ordinary on the surface – but they are gifted with a dedication that reaches out and meets the challenge. In America, neighbors have always reached out to neighbors in times of trouble especially in the turbulent economic conditions of the early 19th century.
The Non-Profit Sector
These conditions led to the development of the non-profit sector in the U.S. Today this sector consists of more than 1.5 million organizations employing 9.4 million individuals. When we take into account the value of volunteer endeavor, that number is estimated to be the equivalent of 14.1 million full-time employees committed to addressing the social ills of today. Operating within this fast-growing sector are community groups, national associations and local and national health and human services organizations focused on alleviating need and preventing suffering. The Human Spirit Initiative is committed to building greater understanding of the impact of this unique niche within the non-profit sector.
