The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Last week, Alex Epstein was named as one the recipients of the 2009 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Way to go, Alex!
"The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Their leadership and courage make them true heroes-and inspirations to us all. Winners each receive $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project."
This is a picture of Alex putting on the first brush of blue paint on the NY2NO bus.
"Alex founded New York to New Orleans (NY2NO), a non-profit group that has organized 15 trips for nearly 500 students from 35 different New York City high schools to do volunteer work in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Alex started his group almost two years ago, following school-sponsored trips to New Orleans that then could no longer be funded by his school. Determined to help other students experience the life-changing volunteer work he’d done in New Orleans, Alex began fundraising in earnest. With those funds, he’s been able to provide free trips for many of the NYC youth who participate, and has purchased two big NY2NO buses. His groups of student volunteers have rebuilt homes, cleared lots, created gardens, and reconstructed the one high school in the Lower Ninth Ward. They have also knocked on hundreds of residents’ doors, connecting one-on-one to hear stories of survival and courage. Alex has recently expanded his program by partnering with NYC organizations to tackle the issues of social injustice that the poorest areas of New York City have long-shared with New Orleans. This new initiative applies the lessons learned in New Orleans to NYC, by helping NYC students address problems in their own neighborhoods. Alex is also working to bring New Orleans students to NYC, to volunteer in Harlem and the South Bronx. “Grassroots organizing empowers people and is one of the most effective ways of achieving social change,” explains Alex. “But what it really takes is time, patience, and the willingness to listen to people and what they have to say - to connect.”"
I've traveled to New Orleans several times with Alex. He was on my first trip three years ago. He is an inspiration.
"The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Their leadership and courage make them true heroes-and inspirations to us all. Winners each receive $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project."
This is a picture of Alex putting on the first brush of blue paint on the NY2NO bus.
"Alex founded New York to New Orleans (NY2NO), a non-profit group that has organized 15 trips for nearly 500 students from 35 different New York City high schools to do volunteer work in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Alex started his group almost two years ago, following school-sponsored trips to New Orleans that then could no longer be funded by his school. Determined to help other students experience the life-changing volunteer work he’d done in New Orleans, Alex began fundraising in earnest. With those funds, he’s been able to provide free trips for many of the NYC youth who participate, and has purchased two big NY2NO buses. His groups of student volunteers have rebuilt homes, cleared lots, created gardens, and reconstructed the one high school in the Lower Ninth Ward. They have also knocked on hundreds of residents’ doors, connecting one-on-one to hear stories of survival and courage. Alex has recently expanded his program by partnering with NYC organizations to tackle the issues of social injustice that the poorest areas of New York City have long-shared with New Orleans. This new initiative applies the lessons learned in New Orleans to NYC, by helping NYC students address problems in their own neighborhoods. Alex is also working to bring New Orleans students to NYC, to volunteer in Harlem and the South Bronx. “Grassroots organizing empowers people and is one of the most effective ways of achieving social change,” explains Alex. “But what it really takes is time, patience, and the willingness to listen to people and what they have to say - to connect.”"
I've traveled to New Orleans several times with Alex. He was on my first trip three years ago. He is an inspiration.