Hero Stories
Neighborhood Heroes are everywhere! Below are just a few doing impactful work in the Chicago area. You’ll see more Heroes added below throughout the summer so be sure to Take the Pledge and tell us your plan to make a difference in your own way.
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Therese O’Sullivan
Chicago’s Woodlawn Neighborhood
After opening the doors to the “House of Hope” over 30 years ago, Sister Therese O’Sullivan continues to shelter single mothers and their families. Her lifelong commitment is to help women overcome substance and alcohol abuse. -
William Hill
Chicago’s Woodlawn Neighborhood
A year ago, William Hill had a vision: Create a colorful botanical garden in Woodlawn where visitors could learn about plant life, biodiversity and green living. His vision has now become reality in a vacant lot across the street from Hill’s home. -
Hilary Verhaeghe
Chicago Loop
After being mugged and having her purse stolen, Hilary Verhaeghe became very upset. However, instead of emphasizing the bad in her predicament, she used it as an opportunity to reflect and realized that there are people on the street lacking the basic necessities. This realization prompted her to begin collecting clothes and food, and disperse them to homeless people in the Chicago Loop area. -
Destiny Watson
Flossmoor, IL
“I know what it means to be bullied, but that bully might be going through some things, too. I want to put that kindness out in the world.” -Destiny Watson Destiny, a senior at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, founded an organization called You Matter 2 and organized dozens of her classmates to collect food, sell “rafiki” friendship bracelets and raise money to help purchase goats for families in Africa.
