Inspiration Comes in Many Different Forms

Building for Generations

Inspiration comes in many different forms. For Santa Cruz's Cory Ybarra, the founder of a non-profit that supports education projects for people with special needs, inspiration came in two parts. The first was a serious illness. The second was a DVD she had never heard of before a friend brought it over to watch with her. 
 
 The mother of an adult son with special needs, Ybarra had spent nearly 30 years deferring her dreams while earning a living and caring for Joaquin. In 2005, after her brush with mortality, she decided it was time to realize them. Ybarra had always wanted to travel to a developing country as a volunteer and work with people with special needs. So she took off for Tanzania, where she spent several days in a small classroom that served disabled children. Located in the village of
Arusha it was one of only a few facilities in the country for disabled youngsters.

Ybarra quickly bonded with the children, and with their parents.

 "I intimately knew those peoples' experience," she said. "The loneliness, the
exclusion, the denial of critical services. There's a real heart connection with
people" who are raising disabled children.

 The parents, who recognized Ybarra as a kindred spirit, asked her for help building a school. A donor had provided three acres of land for a school, but they had no money for construction. While Ybarra didn't think she was capable of fund raising, she agreed to give it a try. She raised about $2,000, or roughly 10 percent of the cost of building three classrooms on the site by holding a yard sale.
Overwhelmed by how much more work lay ahead, Ybarra was discouraged. To help cheer her up, a friend stopped by with a DVD. Neither had heard anything about the film, which was called Emmanuel's Gift, and had no idea what to expect.
The movie turned out to be a documentary about a young man named Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who was born in Ghana with badly deformed leg. Growing up in a country where disabled people are largely shunned, and expected only to become beggars, Emmanuel shattered the stereotypes. Although his father abandoned the family in shame after Emmanuel was born, his mother treated him as an able bodied child, sending him to school, and helping instill confidence in himself. In 2002, against all odds, Emmanuel rode a bicycle across Ghana to raise awareness about disabilities and create a better future for the disabled. 

The documentary gave Ybarra , who was struggling with fear and doubt, the inspiration she needed to raise the rest of the money needed to build the classrooms. Ybarra says she wasn't surprised by the fact that the movie, and the
man behind it, had such an impact.

"I really believe that when you have a deep heart passion whatever you need will come to you," Ybarra said. "He pushed me over the hump." 

Ybarra returned to Tanzania in 2006, and oversaw the construction of the new school. When she got back home, she established the non-profit Building for Generations to advocate, educate and develop sustainable programs for people with special needs. She recruited a dedicated board of directors and a number of
"outstanding" volunteers to work with her. All of those involved in the
organization, like Rose Brindley of Santa Cruz, share Ybarra's commitment to
helping those with special needs.

"I really feel compassionate to special kids with disabilities," said Brindley. "It's such a beautiful soul they have. They're so cheerful, and they're just like you and
me, but different."

Ybarra has returned to Tanzania, and made several trips to Peru where Building for Generations funded the construction of a resource and rehabilitation center in
Chincha Baja. Brindley, who was born and raised in Peru, accompanied her one
one of those trips. 

"We have a lot of kids with special needs (in Peru)," Brindley said. Programs to help them are rare she added. 

Since money goes further in developing nations, both note that Building for Generations can have a bigger impact overseas with limited funds.

"Our group does not have the capital to build something here, but we can certainly make a difference in a developing country,"Ybarra said.

However, she has not forgotten her home town. Last year the organization launched its Building Rhythm project, which allowed 90 individuals with developmental disabilities to make music. This year, she is seeking funding to offer the program again. 

In addition to looking for grants and foundations willing to help fund projects, Ybarra has taken a creative approach to fund raising through the organization's website. In addition to accepting Pay Pal donations, people can shop for hand crafted jewelry and clothing from Africa and Peru. There is also a easy way for people to donate some or all of their eBay sale proceeds to Building for Generations. 
 
Other  fundraisers were designed to inspire people as well as solicit money. In March Building for Generations presented a special showing of the documentary
Emmanuel's Gift, that was followed by a talk by Yeboah. Ybarra was thrilled to
finally meet the man behind the movie that motivated her mission in person. 

"He's a global advocate for the disabled, but beyond that he's a huge inspiration," she said.

Others agreed. "He has a great, touching story that affects the lives of so many
people in the United States," said Foster Anderson, founder of Shared Adventures
in Santa Cruz, after viewing the movie. The non-profit organization provides
recreational activities for people living with disabilities. "He's following his
heart to do what he thinks is right."

For More Information on Building for Generations, go to their website at www.buildingforgenerations.com, or call them at (831) 477-7882.