Social Movement 1000 Hometown Heroes is Highlighting the Everyday Heroes of Wisconsin
With everything bad the COVID-19 crisis has caused, there are still a lot of great things that were created because of it. Local and national organizations, community leaders and many individuals have shifted their way of thinking and have found creative ways to keep going.
The 1000 Hometown Heroes project was started in the midst of the crisis to promote everyday heroes. According to their Facebook page, this project is to not take away from the frontline workers, but to also give some light to the individuals who are doing great things without wanting recognition.
Erika Christenson (L) and Broderick Pearson (R). (Picture by 1000 Hometown Heroes)
This project is supported by the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment Fund and was started during mid to end of April of 2020.
The start of the project identifies heroes through word of mouth. For example, the team was informed about a Wisconsin man who noticed how many people were without food, so he’s bringing pizzas to people’s homes to avoid starvation.
Within a few days, the project will be highlighting Milwaukee protestors for fighting for what’s right.
Along with highlighting Wisconsin residents, 1000 Hometown Heroes is using their platform to spread resources. Recently, they provided information on the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program (WRAP), which is a program designed to help with rent and security deposits of up to $3,000 for individuals who lost income due to the crisis.
“People just don’t know about them [and] they’re difficult to search for,” said 1000 Hometown Heroes Research Project Coordinator Erika Christenson about residents being able to access vital information.
She said they’re constantly on the lookout for more information to pass on to the community.
What makes this project different is that the staff are intentionally reaching out to people to share 1000 Hometown Heroes’ information within their inner circles. According to 1000 Hometown Heroes Research Associate Broderick Pearson, people are more trusting of people they know, which is why it’s important for you to share resources you know about with those around you.
Pearson has also been working with older adults to show them how to effectively use social media during this time.
“Something so simplistic is the power of media. It really has gave me an opportunity to teach people the power of social media and what it can accomplish,” Pearson said.
This project is expected to last six to nine months and may continue on depending on the world’s state.
Starting next week, people will be able to provide direct feedback to the staff through online surveys. 1000 Hometown Heroes stickers and pins will be sent to anyone who enrolls. They will also be rolling out drawings with gift cards to local businesses, which will help support local businesses and provide people with a little extra money.
If you know someone who is doing everyday heroic work and you would like to nominate them, click here.