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 https://www.cnn.com/specials/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 (In alphabetical order)
CORINNE CANNON
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
Web address: https://greaterdcdiaperbank.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/10/us/cnn-heroes-cannon/index.html
BETTY CHINN
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
Web address: https://www.bettychinn.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/04/us/cnnheroes-betty-chinn-betty-kwan-chinn-homeless- foundation/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/betty chinn
MICHELLE CHRISTIE
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
Web address: https://www.nol imitsfordeafchildren.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/06/health/cnn-hero-michelle-christie-no-limits-theater-group/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/michelle christie
BRANDON CHROSTOWSKI
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
Web address: https://edwinsrestaurant.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/17/us/cnnheroes-brandon-chrostowski-edwins-cleveland/index.html
JENNIFER COX
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
Web address: https://empower4lifemd.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/15/health/cnn-hero-jennifer-cox-empower4life/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/jennifer-cox
BRIDGET CUTLER
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
Web address: https://momshelpingmomsfoundation.org/
CNN Hero article: https/www.cnn.com/2014/09/25/living/cnnheroes-cutler/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/bridget-cutler
CHELSEA ELLIOTT
Name of nonprofit: Half Helen
Purpose: Helps communities in need see the world clearly through a mobile eye clinic
Nonprofit home location: Austin, TX
Web address: https://halfhelen.org/
CNN Heroes article: https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/19/us/cnnheroes-elliott.index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/chelsea-elliott
CATHY HEYING
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
Web address: https://www.theliftgarage.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/12/living/cnnheroes-heying.index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/cathy heying
LUKE MICKELSON
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
Web address: https://www.shpbeds.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/28/us/cnnheroes-luke-mickelson-sleep-in-heavenly-peace/index/html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/luke-mickelson
ROGER MONTOYA
Name of nonprofit: Moving Arts Espanola
Purpose: Youth mentoring occurs through arts classes, free meals, tutoring, and holistic support.
Nonprofit home location: Espanola, NM
Web address: https://www.movingartsespanola.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/15/us/cnnheroes-roger-montoya-moving-arts-espaola/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/roger-montoya
NED NORTON
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
Web address: https://www.warriorsonwheels.org/about-us.html
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/us/cnnheroes-norton/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/ned norton
MONA PATEL
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
Web address: https://www.saamputeefoundation.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/health/cnn-hero-mona-patel-san-antonio-amputee-foundation/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/mona-patel
ROCHELLE RIPLEY
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
Web address: https://www.hawkwing.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/us/cnn-heroes-ripley/index.html
R esponses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/rochelle-ripley
MARY ROBINSON
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
Web address: https://imaginenj.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/14/health/cnnheroes-mary-robinson-grief-loss-death-of-a-parent/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/mary robinson
DONIECE SANDOVAL
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
Web address: https://lavamaex.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com.2017/06/01/health/cnn-hero-doniece-sandoval-lava-mae/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/doniece sandoval
ROB SCHEER
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
Web address: https://www.comfortcases.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/us/cnnheroes-rob-scheer-comfort-cases/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/rob scheer
ELLEN STACKABLE
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
Web address: https://www.poeticjustice.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/16/us/cnnheroes-ellen-stackable-poetic-justice/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/ellen-stackable
PAUL STEKLENSKI
Name of nonprofit: Flying Fur Animal Rescue
Purpose: Transports dogs from kill shelters to no-kill shelters by airplane.
Nonprofit home location: Pottstown, PA
Web address: https://flyingfuranimalrescue.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/17/us/cnnheroes-paul-steklenski-flying-fur-animal-rescue/index.html
KHALI SWEENEY
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
Web address: https://dbgdetroit.org/
CNN Hero article: https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/08/health/cnn-hero-khali-sweeney/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/khali sweeney
AARON VALENCIA
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
Web address: https://www.lostangelscp.org/
CNN Hero article: https://2017/09/21/us/cnn-hero-aaron-valencia-lost-angels-childrens-project/index.html
Responses to Questions: fhsu.edu/sociology/cnn-heroes/aaron-valencia