Dare to Matter ― Your Path to Making a Difference Now

In Dare to Matter, VisionSpring founder Jordan Kassalow shares his own inspiring story and a nuts-and-bolts plan to help readers who what to make a difference right now, no matter what their job, no matter what their circumstances, on their own terms, in their own time, in concert with their commitments and responsibilities.

The desire to make a difference in the world, to leave the world a better place--and to enjoy life at the same time--is something we all share. But most of us struggle with the where, when, and how. What if the answer was as clear as: here and now, in your own way? Dr. Jordan Kassalow, founder of VisionSpring, the global phenomenon that has helped millions stay focused on a positive future, shares his own story of connecting his real life financial responsibilities with his true sense of calling, while also offering readers the tools to map out their own path. Jordan partners with readers in their search for ways to feed both their families and their souls, assisting them in everything from discovering their higher purpose, answering questions like how much is enough, to constructing, and implementing, a nuts-and-bolts plan to live in service of others without sacrificing their paychecks.

Dare to Matter assures readers that doing good and doing well needn't be an either/or proposition; that they don't have to be a billionaire philanthropist or take a vow of poverty, be young and unencumbered, or retired, to give of themselves in the way that they, and only they, have been created to give. Dare to Matter will help readers put Jordan's unique blueprint to work in their own lives, locate their joy, and make a difference in the world.

Jordan Kassalow is an optometrist and a partner at a thriving practice in New York City. He is also the Founder of VisionSpring, an award-winning social business that works to restore eyesight to the more than 2.5 billion people who live in the developing world in extreme poverty who need nothing more than a simple pair of eyeglasses to see. VisionSpring has been internationally recognized by the Skoll Foundation, the Aspen Institute, and the World Bank and via numerous awards, ad since 2001, it has distributed 3.7 million pairs of eyeglasses. Jordan is also the co-Founder of the EYElliance, a coalition of multi-sector experts including public, private, academic, and NGO partners. EYElliance functions as a leader, convener, and coordinator to channel collective efforts and bring clarity and clear action to address the global unmet need for eyeglasses. Jordan also founded Scojo New York and the Global Health Policy Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. Jordan is a fellow of Draper Richards Kaplan, Skoll, Ashoka, and is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He was named one of the Schwab Foundation's 2012 Social Entrepreneurs, was the inaugural winner of the John P. McNulty Prize, and was recently was named to Forbes Impact 30.

Jennifer Krause is a rabbi and the author of The Answer: Making Sense of Life, One Question at a Time (Perigee). Her writing and commentary has been featured in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, Time.com and O Mag. Dubbed "one of NYC's Hippest Rabbis" and "the Jewish Katie Couric" by WNET's MetroFocus, Jennifer served as the High Holidays rabbi at Manhattan's 92Y, and was the first woman to hold that post in 92Y's 140 year history. Jennifer is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative, a network of religious and congregational leaders, scholars, and thinkers of all backgrounds and affiliations who come together for nonpartisan, cross-denominational conversations on global issues. She lives in Manhattan.