Doing Good
Water at Work Ministry and Its Impact on Communities Across the Ocean
When the Dominican Republic (DR) comes to mind, many of us envision stunning all-inclusive resorts located in Punta Cana. However, for Jennifer Yin, a resident of Peachtree Corners, the country’s appeal goes beyond indulging in crystal-clear waters and delicious cuisine.
She doesn’t find herself continuously in the Dominican Republic for luster and splendor, but rather for something much humbler and wholesome.
Yin previously worked as a schoolteacher but found a calling to work to improve safe water supply to developing countries. To help provide clean, safe water, Yin started a simple lemonade stand in her front yard with her two sons.
From this modest lemonade stand, Yin was redirected by neighbor Dan Blevins to look into Water at Work. Blevins is the Executive Director of the Water at Work Ministry. Their mission is to transform the lives of over one million of the poorest people in the Dominican Republic through clean water production plants, business development and access to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Water at Work
Water at Work had humble beginnings. Over 10 years ago, Tom Flaim created the Water at Work Ministry after visiting the DR with his church group and being astounded by the lack of clean water available to residents.
Since then, the ministry has created a partner organization in the DR. Water at Work establishes small water businesses in the country through partnering with local churches and ministries, helping to provide many communities access to clean and safe water.
Yin, the Director of Donor Relations, visits the DR annually. Her last trip was in the middle of June. On every trip, Yin continues to connect with residents like Rosemary, a staff member who leads community development efforts and recently created mobile dental clinics in the communities they serve for a very low cost.
During the mobile dentist clinics, Yin saw the fruit of her efforts and witnessed Rosemary and other dentists enter the Consuelo community and treat over 50 people in eight hours with no running water or air conditioning.
Additionally, on this most recent trip, Yin visited House of Light, an orphanage for disabled children where Water at Work had installed a water purification system 10 years ago. However, the upkeep of the basic water purification system had become too expensive for the orphanage to maintain, so the ministry began installing a new system.
“We are in the midst of building them a completely renovated, state-of-the-art water purification system where they will be able to provide clean water for all the orphans who live there,” said Yin.
Through this system, they will also be able to bottle and sell water to residents nearby and use those profits to benefit the orphanage. It’s not charity, it’s a sustainable business model.
Thinking beyond your borders
Yin has greater aspirations for Water at Work but needs support. She wants to challenge the Peachtree Corners people to look beyond their own community.
“I challenge people to think outside of their immediate communities because I’ve found that when you’re able to do that, it opens up your heart and your mind to so much more,” said Yin. “It’s amazing. The joy that you can get from helping others is something that is indescribable.”
There are many ways to support the Water at Work Ministry, one of which is Giving Tuesday. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving this year, November 28, Water at Work will have a fundraiser.
“It is a fundraiser we do every single year, and we’ll have a matching donor for it,” said Yin. “Every dollar that is donated on Giving Tuesday will be matched 100% by someone else. So that’s a great way to band together with other people worldwide to make a difference in the nonprofit world,” Yin explained.
Also, becoming a donor is a great way to support the ministry and its mission at any time.
“We love when folks sign on to be monthly givers. It costs just $17 a month to provide one person with clean, safe water going forward for their lifetime,” she said.
Churches can easily get involved in the ministry’s efforts too. Simpsonwood United Methodist Church and Peachtree Corners Baptist Church put together Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) bottles before Yin’s trip to DR. Later, those WASH bottles made in Peachtree Corners were handed out to DR residents during dental clinics.
Learn more about Water at Work Ministry at wateratworkministry.org, or contact Jennifer Yin at jyin@wateratworkministry.org.
Over the past 13 years, the Peachtree Corners Festival has become a favorite fall tradition for local residents and city visitors alike. Held each September, the family-friendly celebration brings the community together for a full weekend of fun that includes vendor booths, arts & crafts, food, live music, a car show and more.
Though the festival itself takes place once a year, the volunteer organization behind it works year-round not only to plan for the big event but to give back to the Peachtree Corners community in other ways as well.
The Peachtree Corners Festival mission
According to the festival website, the organization is “dedicated to bringing a safe, wholesome and family-friendly festival to the City of Peachtree Corners,” with the goal of fostering “community pride and civic involvement in our diverse city. … To the extent that the festival experiences positive cash flow, the funds will be dedicated to supporting two areas: Education and Beautification.”
“We generally give anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 total each year to the public schools in our area and to local nonprofits like Bridges Peachtree Corners for school and teacher supplies,” said Dave Huffman, president of the Peachtree Corners Festival.
Community donations
In 2024, the organization donated funds to several local schools, including $500 each to Peachtree Elementary, Simpson Elementary and Pinckneyville Middle School and made a $1,000 donation to Norcross High School.
Other recent donations have included:
• $20,000 for landscape plantings in the Hwy. 141 medians near Chick-fil-A and Walgreens
• $20,000 donated to the city for Christmas light displays at the Town Green
• $15,000 for the City Hall flag plaza
In addition, for the last few years, they have also awarded a drama scholarship in memory of Debbie Mason, Peachtree Corners’ former first lady.
Last year’s winner was Norcross High School senior, Pavin Jones. The next drama scholarship winner will be announced in spring 2025.
For more about the Peachtree Corners Festival, visit peachtreecornersfestival.com.
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