Brick Awards continued...

Jacob Komar

Image courtesy Joe Santa Winner in the Community Building Category

Jacob Komar had always played around with computers -- tearing them apart, seeing what made them tick, and putting them back together. For him, computers were a natural part of life, something in the home that you almost take for granted. But he soon realized that wasn’t true for everyone. So, at the age of nine, he decided to do something about that. He learned that a local public school was throwing away 30 old computers, so he took them. Working in his basement, he refurbished the machines, and then called Social Services to ask if they had anyone who wanted a free computer. Just like that, Computers for Communities was created.

Jacob refurbished and distributed those 30 computers himself, but since then, his organization has grown, and he has worked with various groups to refurbish and distribute more than 1,000 machines to people who otherwise wouldn't have one. And Computers for Communities has expanded beyond just delivering the machines. Their latest project is a three-year program that will train 200 inner-city students on networking, computer architecture, software design and more. After all, there’s more at stake here than just having a computer – you have to know how to use it. Jacob hopes his organization will help bridge the Digital Divide, the widening gap in America between people who have a computer and know how to use it, and people who don't, and are therefore being left behind.

Divine Bradley

Image courtesy Joe Santa Winner in the Community Building Category

When he was 17, Divine Bradley decided to, as he puts it, stop being part of the problem, and start being part of the solution. He wanted to create a safe space where kids could go after school that would get them off the streets, give them a constructive environment, and get them involved in their communities. The result was Team Revolution, a youth-led community organization that has reached out to more than 500 individuals with their after school programs.

Team Revolution is a testament to the power of an idea. Divine started by meeting on his front porch, his basement, the community library, wherever he could find space. Over time, Team Revolution started to make an impact in the community through their community service. Membership grew. Soon, there wasn't enough room in his basement, and they began a fundraising drive that, in two weeks, raised more than $20,000 toward a new community center.

Today, Team Revolution continues to grow. They've collaborated with Polo Ralph Lauren to create a fellowship academy where young people learn about the creative and business aspects of the fashion industry, creating co-branded products that are being sold. Eventually, Divine hopes to open Team Revolutions in communities all over the world. Asked what else the future holds for Team Revolution, he smiles and gives you his favorite quote. "The only way to predict the future is to create it."

Hanna Taylor

Image courtesy Joe Santa Winner in the Community Building Category

Eleven-year-old Hannah Taylor believes no one should eat out of a garbage can. When she was five, she saw someone doing just that- the first homeless person she'd ever seen- and her passion was born. Soon after, she started The Ladybug Foundation, an organization dedicated to doing all it can to help cure homelessness.

She’s traveled throughout her native Canada doing speaking engagements, met with leaders of the business community to solicit support, and helped raise more than one million dollars so far. Much of the money she raises comes from her Ladybug Jars - red jars painted to look like ladybugs, which pop up across Canada during "Make Change" month to collect change.

Hannah's work with The Ladybug Foundation takes up a lot of her time. Add to that constant homework, and she doesn't get a lot of time to herself. But when she does, she likes to work with clay, write, draw and hang out with her friends. Ask her about her future and she’ll tell you she wants to be a marine biologist working with Beluga whales in Vancouver, a dog breeder in Manitoba, an oceanographer, an archeologist, a writer and a robotics engineer. Oh, and Prime Minister of Canada, too. But her biggest dream of all? Living in a world where homelessness is a thing of the past.