James Malinchak is ABC's "Secret Millionaire"

Another inspiring and emotional episode of ABC's "Secret Millionaire" aired last night as we traveled to Gary, Indiana with "Secret Millionaire", James Malinchak.

James Malinchak grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA when the steel industry was booming. After the local steel mill closed, he saw how quickly poverty set in. Today, Malinchak is a successful motivational speaker living outside of Las Vegas. He loves basketball and has a nice basketball court on his property.

Malinchak travels to Gary, Indiana to spend six days living like the residents there and looking for unsung heroes. Here's a few statistics about Gary, Indiana: One-third of the residents live in poverty, homes and businesses are boarded up, fly-by shootings are common, and Gary has 2 ½ times the national unemployment rate. In a city of despair, this secret millionaire has just six days to find hope and inspiration.

Urban Faithworks

The first place that Malinchak visits is an organization founded by Ben Miller and his mother, Gwen. By helping children and teens after school with their homework and other projects, Urban Faithworks is giving Gary's kids a chance to do well for themselves and a break from their surrounding environment. In Gary, Indiana 90% of residents over age 25 don't have a college degree. Urban Faithworks is making a difference by helping to educate Gary's school kids.

James Malinchak helps to volunteer with the kids on a flower planting project. Malinchak is given some advice by Gwen to "...let the kids do the planting and stand back and guide them. If a kid plants a flower, they'll take care of it. If you plant it for them, they won't care." And isn't that the truth!

If you'd like to help Urban Faithworks, contact Ben Miller at 219 886-0685 or email him at benandjaque@sbcglobal.net.

Adonia Community Services

This organization is very unique. To prevent widespread trash dumping in the city and to help clean it up, Yvonne Kemp founded this business and supplies all the funding. She pays hourly wages and manages the business. Ms. Kemp explains that she wants to revitalize Gary. She grew up in this city and as a young girl she saw how Gary, Indiana was flourishing because of the steel mill industry. When the steel mill shut down and Gary deteriorated, it saddened her. Ms. Kemp is trying to bring hope to Gary, Indiana. She believes that, "There's nothing that can't be done."

James Malinchak volunteers with a group of workers to clean up a street and alley way. As he talks to the workers, he learns that the city has cut back on trash pick-up and the attitude of these workers is that "If we don't do this, who's going to do it?"

In a very generous gesture, Malinchak not only donates money to this organization, but he also goes out and buys some much needed equipment for them such as weed whackers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and dirt blowers. The workers thought this "Secret Millionaire" was Santa Claus.

To help the Adonia Community Services, you can call them at 219 885-5711 or email Yvonne Kemp at yvonnefaith@aol.com.

Baylor Youth Foundation

Helping to promote promising local basketball students to national tournaments so colleges can see their talents, Baylor Youth Foundation touches a chord with James Malinchak. Malinchak loves basketball and for these students in Gary, Indiana basketball gives them a chance to dream and possibly achieve something outside of the city. Coach Tony and his wife, Toi run this nonprofit together. Malinchak volunteers by showing the students some basketball moves.

James Malinchak and Coach Tony develop a bond together as they go door-to-door fundraising. Coach Tony served 20 years in the military and he lost his job 18 months ago at the steel mill. Unable to find work, he spends his time helping the students with their basketball skills. For Coach Tony, it's all about giving back to the community and giving kids a chance.

If you'd like more information on the Baylor Youth Foundation, please call them at 219 306-9932 or email Toi Baylor at baylort@comcast.net.

Sources: ABC's "Secret Millionaire", March 20, 2011