Making a Difference

Making a Difference: A Story of Adventure, Disaster, and Redemption Inspired by the Plight of At-Risk Girls demonstrates to students across various disciplines that they can assume leadership positions that positively impact communities, organizations, and the world, regardless of their interests, abilities, and career goals.



Through personal accounts, Jeffrey A. Kottler and Sara Safari share how they conquered a mountain for a cause, found strength in the service of others in the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake, and overcame personal and professional obstacles to begin a movement that protects children against abuse and victimization.



The text focuses on the plight of children, especially girls, who have been systematically oppressed, but the lessons highlighted throughout are applicable to a variety of other situations and contexts. Readers learn the gifts and privileges of serving others, as well as the difficult realities of this type of work. Kottler and Safari's story guides students through the mistakes, breakthroughs, successes, and failures inherent in ventures of transformative community service.



Making a Difference is an ideal supplementary text for courses in social justice, advocacy, leadership, women's studies, gender studies, sociology, social work, and counseling.

Jeffrey A. Kottler is one of the most prominent authors in the fields of counseling, psychotherapy, health, and education, having written over 100 books across a broad range of topics. He is a clinical professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and professor emeritus of counseling at California State University, Fullerton. He has served as a counselor, therapist, supervisor, educator, and social justice advocate in a variety of professional settings throughout his career.

Sara Safari is an author, speaker, mountain climber, advocate for women's empowerment, and board member of Empower Nepali Girls. In 2015, she received the prestigious Global Citizen Award from the United Nations in recognition of her humanitarian work with Nepali girls and her continued efforts to end human trafficking. She's also received an award for Outstanding Practice with Broad Impact in the area of women and leadership from International Leadership Association. Sara will be the first Iranian in history to climb the Seven Summits, the seven highest peaks in each continent by July 2020. She is climbing on behalf of women worldwide who don't have the opportunity to live their lives fully expressed and on their own terms.