The dictionary defines the word “HERO” as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Since 2008, CNN has made the effort to find these heroes around the world and help them by honoring their top 10 CNN Heroes and providing a $10,000 cash prize.
The awards also ask the audience to vote one a “CNN Hero of the Year,” who receive an additional $100,000 for his or her cause. On December 11, the news network honored its 2016 heroes with Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa as hosts. From redefining the disabled to helping refugees to delivering better healthcare in Kenya, CNN Heroes had all the aspects that defines them as “heroes.”
Jeison Aristizábal
Jeison Aristizábal was one of 10 heroes that was honored this year. He was also voted as the Hero of the year by the audience. Aristizábal was born with cerebral palsy but determined to overcome every obstacle he encounter. When he was only a teenager, he started a campaign to help disabled people to have access to wheelchairs, which later evolved in to providing phusictal therapy in his family’s empty garage.
That’s how ASODISVALLE was created in 2001. The non-profit provides a range of free services including special education, medical services, speech, physical and occupational therapy, and healthy meals that have transformed the lives of nearly 3,000 young people with disabilities and their families.
The other 9 heroes include:
Craig Dodson:
Craig Dodson’s Richmond Cycling Corps:“Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop” aims to change the lives of youth who live in Richmond’s public housing projects through cycling. In 2005, Dodson was asked to speak to a group of students at a recreation center in Richmond, Virginia but he didn’t know that many of them lived in one of the city’s roughest housing projects and attended its lowest-performing schools.
When he realized a pep talk wasn’t enough, he started a cycling club for at risk youth.
Sherri Franklin:
Huge animal lover, Sherri Franklin couldn’t stand to see that senior dogs were being euthanized so she decided to do something about it. In 2005, Franklin started Muttville, a nonprofit that rescues senior dogs from shelters and finds them forever homes, out of her house. At Muttville, the dogs roam in large rooms filled with big beds and couches. The organization also has a network of more than 100 foster families, allowing more dogs to be saved. Currently, the group now has its own facility with vet suites and dog hospices
Brad Ludden:
In 2000, 18 year old professional kayaker, Brad Ludden founded the non-profit foundation First Descents, which aims to provide those affected by cancer the chance to use outdoor adventures in order to play a key role in their overall recovery process. The weeklong camps usually consist of 15 young adult cancel fighters and survivors from across the country and are usually held in a scenic location, ideal for adventures.
Luma Mufleh
In 2004, Coach Luma Mufleh launched Fugees, a program that provides refugee boys with free access to organized soccer. The organization also offers an academic enrichment summer camp and the Fugees Academy, the nations only school dedicated to refugee education.
Umra Omar:
In a country most people dream of fleeing, Umra Omar returned to the dangerous eastern coast of Kenya to provide healthcare. In 2010, Omar was visiting her country when she noticed the lack of health care and decided to do something about it. She launched Safari Doctors, which provides free basic medical services — including immunizations, maternal health care and treatment for malaria and other common diseases in the region.
Georgie Smith:
Georgie Smith‘s A Sense of Home is a movement to change the lives of foster youth who have aged out of the system. The group aims to offer the youth a new beginning and a sense of belonging by donating and collecting household items & furniture that transforms a former foster youth’s empty apartment into an inspired space that truly feels like “home”.
Sheldon Smith:
Throughout his childhood, Sheldon Smith’s absentee father was in and out of jail. At 17, the lack of a father figure led to Smith falling into the wrong crowd and going to prison for committing a robbery. Smith got his life back on track and when his daughter was born in 2009, he made a commitment to be present in her life and help others do the same. In 2010, his non-profit, the Dovetail Project launched to give young fathers such as himself the skills to be positive role models and responsible parents.
Becca Stevens:
Becca Stevens founded Thistle Farms to help women escape prostitution, addiction and trafficking, while providing a place for them to heal. The idea stemmed from the childhood abuse she experienced. The organization has five residential communities in Nashville, where women stay for two years at no cost and with no live-in authority figure.
In 2001, Stevens and a few residents started making bath and body care products, which evolved in to a $2 million company that employs more than 75 people — two-thirds of whom are graduates of the residential program.
Harry Swimmer:
23 years ago, Harry Swimmer retired to launch Mitey Riders, a place where disabled children can come and be themselves, and be with other children just like them, while riding, which is also good therapy for them. The horse farm has now turned in to a place where children severe physical and mental disabilities can bond with others and get some therapy at the same time.
CrowdRise, a fundraising platform co-founded by Edward Norton, will help the CNN Heroes reach matching funds on CrowdRise.com and through their own social outreach. Subaru, a partner of CNN Heroes from the beginning will also match donations up to 50,000 as a part of their “Share the Love” Campaign.
