Home Young Social Impact Heroes Why Daniella Benitez has committed herself to raise money to build one house a year for needy families

Why Daniella Benitez has committed herself to raise money to build one house a year for needy families

Yitzi Weiner
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Why Daniella Benitez has committed herself to raise money to build one house a year for needy families

…it takes $16,000 to take a family from living in dire poverty, to living in a fully furnished home with running water, electricity, plumbing, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen. My parents took us down to Tijuana to physically help build the house, and on that day, my life changed. I knew that I wanted to do more, so I committed to heading up the building of one house a year.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Daniella Benitez. Daniella has committed herself to raise money for the building of one house a year for needy families, Through the Build a Miracle organization.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

In 2017, my family donated money towards a school project with the non profit organization, Build a Miracle, to help build a home for a family in need in Tijuana, Mexico. Through Build a Miracle, it takes $16,000 to take a family from living in dire poverty, to living in a fully furnished home with running water, electricity, plumbing, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen. My parents took us down to TJ to physically help build the house, and on that day, my life changed. I knew that I wanted to do more, so I committed to heading up the building of one house a year.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?

The most interesting thing that has happened is inspiring other kids my age to get involved and start raising money and building homes with us.

Can you describe how your organization is making a significant social impact?

Build A Miracle is making a significant social impact because they’re blessing other families with homes and settling them up for a new life. The houses they build are amazing, but BAM also provides these families with a community and with so many resources to help ensure that the cycle of poverty does not repeat.

Wow! Can you tell me a story about a particular individual who was impacted this cause?

Last year my mom got a call from an old friend asking her why she hadn’t asked him to donate? She laughed and told him that her daughter (me) is in charge of raising the money and that he is welcome to donate. In mind we thought maybe one hundred dollars or one thousand at the most, but this donor who would like to remain anonymous, told my mom that he’d be willing to match my $16,000. This year we finished building the donor’s house and he has committed to matching what I raise again! Two more houses that we have gotten to build are thanks to this donor!

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

I think that poverty is a big problem everywhere and if my community wants to help solve this problem, they can help spread awareness about the cause.

How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?

Leadership is when someone takes a stand and decides to help guide people. I think leaders do things that others think they maybe can’t do and that’s why people look up to them. When someone is a leader, they are not perfect, but they accept the fact that they are an example for many people.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I would love to inspire more people to help with raising money for more houses

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Instagram: @daniellamariebenitez

This was very meaningful, thank you so much!

Thank you!!!

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Yitzi Weiner
https://socialimpactheroes.com
Yitzi Weiner is a journalist, author, and the founder of Authority Magazine, one of Medium’s largest publications. Authority Magazine, is devoted to sharing interesting “thought leadership interview series” featuring people who are authorities in Business, Film, Sports and Tech. Authority Magazine uses interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable. Popular interview series include, Women of the C Suite, Female Disruptors, and 5 Things That Should be Done to Close the Gender Wage Gap At Authority Magazine, Yitzi has conducted or coordinated hundreds of empowering interviews with prominent Authorities like Shaquille O’Neal, Peyton Manning, Floyd Mayweather, Paris Hilton, Baron Davis, Jewel, Flo Rida, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, Bobbi Brown, Daymond John, Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Alicia Silverstone, Lindsay Lohan, Cal Ripkin Jr., David Wells, Jillian Michaels, Jenny Craig, John Sculley, Matt Sorum, Derek Hough, Mika Brzezinski, Blac Chyna, Perez Hilton, Joseph Abboud, Rachel Hollis, Daniel Pink, and Kevin Harrington Much of Yitzi’s writing and interviews revolve around how leaders with large audiences view their position as a responsibility to promote goodness and create a positive social impact. His specific interests are interviews with leaders in Technology, Popular Culture, Social Impact Organizations, Business, and Wellness.