CNN Hero Advisory Board
CNN Hero Collaboration with Sociology Programs
Sociology Programs at Fort Hays State University strongly emphasize training in projects to help people in need. We have multiple courses on grant writing and how to start projects to help others. One of our projects involves collaboration with award-winning nationally recognized leaders of nonprofit corporations. CNN, the TV cable network, each year publicly recognizes several people doing outstanding work helping others in need. The people they recognize are called CNN Heroes.
The following CNN Heroes have graciously agreed to work with us by serving on a CNN Hero Advisory Board. These national heroes will respond to questions about what they have learned through their years of successfully overseeing their nonprofits. This information will be shared directly with our students in our classes and also posted on this public web site for anyone to benefit from their experiences and insights.
Sociology Programs and Fort Hays State University are honored to be collaborating with these national heroes through this exciting project.
CNN Hero Advisory Board Members
Name of Nonprofit: DC Diaper Bank
Purpose: Diapers are provided to low-income families in the Washington, DC metro area. This helps families engage with social services for their other needs.
Nonprofit Home Location: Washington, DC
Nonprofit Website: Greater DC Diaper Bank Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Corinne Cannon Profile
Name of Nonprofit: Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation
Purpose: Distributes food to the homeless and runs a center for job training. Shelters assist displaced families, ill and injured, those experiencing domestic violence, and those struggling from mental illness or drug addiction.
Nonprofit Home Location: Eureka, CA
Nonprofit Website: Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Betty Chinn Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Betty Chinn Interview
Name of nonprofit: No limits for Deaf Children
Purpose: Using theater as a core activity, educational centers offer support and enrichment programs to children with hearing loss.
Nonprofit home location: Culver City, CA
Nonprofit Website: No Limits for Deaf Children Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Michelle Christie Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Michelle Christie Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute
Purpose: Gives formerly incarcerated adults a foundation in the culinary and hospitality industry while providing a support network necessary for their long-term success.
Nonprofit Home Location: Cleveland, OH
Nonprofit Website: Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Brandon Chrostowski Profile
Name of Nonprofit: Empower4Life
Purpose: Provides health education, fitness activities, nutritious food and other necessities to empower children living in Baltimore-area homeless shelters.
Nonprofit Home Location: Fallston, MD
Nonprofit Website: Empower4Life Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Jennifer Cox Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Jennifer Cox Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Moms Helping Moms
Purpose: Distribute diapers, clothing, nursing supplies and other baby essentials for mother in need. In the process, support and guidance are offered, giving recipients a sense of community they may not otherwise have.
Nonprofit Home Location: New Providence, NJ
Nonprofit Website: Moms Helping Moms Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Bridget Cutler Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Bridget Cutler Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Half Helen
Purpose: Helps communities in need see the world clearly through a mobile eye clinic.
Nonprofit Home Location: Austin, TX
Nonprofit Website: Half Helen Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Chelsea Elliott Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Chelsea Elliott Interview
Name of Nonprofit: The Lift Garage
Purpose: Having a car that operates is often a key to keeping a job and staying out of poverty. This auto repair shop provides steeply discounted car repairs to low-income individuals and hires employees who have struggled with poverty and crisis in their lives.
Nonprofit Home Location: Minneapolis, MN
Nonprofit Website: The Lift Garage Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Cathy Heying Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Cathy Heying Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Purpose: Happiness and health are promoted by facilitating good sleep by building and delivering beds to children in need.
Nonprofit Home Location: Twin Falls, ID
Nonprofit Website: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Luke Mickelson Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Luke Mickelson Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Moving Arts Espanola
Purpose: Youth mentoring occurs through arts classes, free meals, tutoring, and holistic support.
Nonprofit Home Location: Espanola, NM
Nonprofit Website: Moving Arts Espanola Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Roger Montoya Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Roger Montoya Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Warriors on Wheels
Purpose: Provides supervised fitness training for people with disabilities and send free fitness and rehabilitation equipment around the world to people in need.
Nonprofit Home Location: Albany, NY
Nonprofit Website: Warriors on Wheels Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Ned Norton Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Ned Norton Interview
Name of Nonprofit: San Antonio Amputee Foundation
Purpose: Rebuilds the lives of amputees through peer support, education, case management, health/fitness, and socialization.
Nonprofit Home Location: San Antonio, TX
Nonprofit Website: San Antonio Amputee Foundation Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Mona Patel Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Mona Patel Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Hawk Wing
Purpose: Honors residents of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation through various types of support including assistance with education, safe homes, and providing healthy food.
Nonprofit Home Location: Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, SD
Nonprofit Website: Hawk Wing Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Rochelle Ripley Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Rochelle Ripley Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Imagine
Purpose: Provides free peer grief support groups for children and teens coping with loss due to death or who are living with a family member with a life-altering illness. Provides training, onsite support, and education to school districts, workplaces and the community at-large.
Nonprofit Home Location: Mountainside, NJ
Nonprofit Website: Imagine Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Mary Robinson Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Mary Robinson Interview
Name of Nonprofit: LavaMaeX
Purpose: Teaches people around the world to bring mobile showers and other essential care services to the street for the unhoused.
Nonprofit Home Location: San Francisco, CA
Nonprofit Website: LavaMaeX Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Doniece Sandoval Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Doniece Sandoval Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Comfort Cases
Purpose: Packs and distributes backpacks for youth transitioning into foster care to be sure each child has simple necessities such as soap, a toothbrush, and a blanket.
Nonprofit Home Location: Rockville, MD
Nonprofit Website: Comfort Cases Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Rob Scheer Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Rob Scheer Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Poetic Justice
Purpose: Restorative writing and creative arts programs to women in prison provide a safe place to process trauma and find healing.
Nonprofit Home Location: Tulsa, OK
Nonprofit Website: Poetic Justice Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Ellen Stackable Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Ellen Stackable Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Flying Fur Animal Rescue
Purpose: Transports dogs from kill shelters to no-kill shelters by airplane.
Nonprofit Home Location: Pottstown, PA
Nonprofit Website: Flying Fur Animal Rescue Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Paul Steklenski Profile
Name of Nonprofit: Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG Detroit)
Purpose: Through academics, athletics (including boxing), tutoring, mentorship, enrichment programs and more, young people receive the tools they need to succeed in school and life.
Nonprofit Home Location: Detroit, MI
Nonprofit Website: Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG Detroit) Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Khali Sweeney Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Khali Sweeney Interview
Name of Nonprofit: Lost Angels Children's Project
Purpose: Through an industrial arts training center, youth aged 16-24 experiencing poverty and homelessness are mentored and trained for jobs in industrial manufacturing and automotive restoration.
Nonprofit Home Location: Lancaster, CA
Nonprofit Website: Lost Angels Children's Project Official Website
CNN Article: CNN Heroes: Aaron Valencia Profile
Sociology Q&A: FHSU Sociology CNN Heroes: Aaron Valencia Interview