RARE Everyday Hero Stories
2007
Firefighter2007 - Michael Hauser
Preservationist2007 - Robert & Cheri Taylor
Writers2007 - Nancy Gioia
Engineer2007 - Canice Johnson, RSM
Educator2007 - Jamail & Nicole Aikens
Co-Founders, City Mission2007 - Janet Nunn, LMSW
Social Worker
Air Force Reserve/Volunteer Firefighter – Quincy, Michigan
About this Everyday Hero
Why Honored
Rebeckajo was the subject of Nicole Gollnick’s winning essay in the RARE "Everyday Hero" writing competition. Nicole describes Rebeckajo as "an amazing woman in our small town who already has accomplished more than most at her young age and gone beyond what is expected of her; someone we can all look up to."
Message to Youth
"Tune out negativity.
Strike words like ‘stupid’ and ‘can’t’ from your vocabulary.
When things aren’t turning out like you planned, realize that you have the power to pick up the pieces and rearrange them."
Preservationist
About this Everyday Hero
Why Honored
For his imagination and zeal in celebrating the best of Detroit’s past for the benefit of old and young alike, and for preserving Detroit’s rich, architectural and cultural heritage through tourism and interpretation.
Message to Youth
"What is old becomes new again.
Take time to understand the way things were.
It will help you envision what they could become; and more important, the role you could play in creating that tomorrow."
Founders, Blushing Sky Writer’s Playground
About this Everyday Hero
Why Honored
For unselfishly sharing their time and unique talents in a way that, not only inspires, but actually changes lives.
Message to Youth
"Everyone should write because there is always someone out there who needs to hear what you have to say."
Director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies & Hybrid Vehicle Programs, Ford Motor Company
About this Everyday Hero
A twenty-five year employee of Ford Motor Company, Nancy Gioia is Ford’s Director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. She leads an integrated global research team of more than three hundred engineers with the mission of focusing on the concept of the sustainable future. That is, coming up with new ideas for products and processes that will allow society to meet its current and future transportation needs without using up excessive resources or damaging the environment.
Why Honored
For being a role model to the engineering community at Ford, for bringing extraordinary creativity and passion to her position, and for being an inspiring mentor to young people, both inside and outside her company.
Message to Youth
"It’s easy to look around our state and have doubts about the future. But usually when change of this scope occurs, it’s a sign of bigger opportunities ahead. It just means you have to be willing to look at your world differently. Be open to a new approach and redefine the model. Becoming part of the solution is more inspiring than complaining about the problem."
RSM, Founder Mercy Education Project & Cristo Rey High School
About this Everyday Hero
At a time in life when most people are well into retirement, Sister Canice accepted the challenge of launching the new Cristo Rey High School that will open in southwest Detroit in 2008. Tirelessly, she and her team completed a major feasibility study, raised more than $200,000 in grants and obtained commitments for twenty five student jobs from local employers. Always a determined champion of quality education for the disadvantaged, Sister Canice founded the Mercy Education Project in 1992 whose mission is to nurture the intellectual and social growth of girls and young woman.
Why Honored
For extraordinary vision and determined leadership on behalf of quality education for the underserved of her community.
Message to Youth
"Vision is being able to see things beyond what they appear to be; to fulfill your vision, surround yourself with others who have hope in their hearts."
Co-Founders, City Mission
About this Everyday Hero
Jamail and Nicole Aikens shared the dream of restoring life and hope to the Brightmoor community of northwest Detroit where they grew up. While most residents felt powerless to do anything about its blighted conditions, the Aikens made the ultimate commitment of moving back to Brightmoor, and in 1998, creating City Mission; an oasis where families could come together to improve their quality of life and create a healthier community. What started with seven children now serves more than 150 in a sparkling new facility supported by more than 65 volunteers, providing tutoring, mentoring and leadership training to identify kids who have the desire and potential to do something better.
Why Honored
For making the ultimate commitment to their community and for being extraordinary examples of "leaving things better than you found them."
Message to Youth
"A fulfilling life is finding out what you were meant to do. Chances are, it will turn out to be something much bigger than just you."
Social Worker, Children’s Hospital
About this Everyday Hero
Compassion is defined as being aware of other’s misfortunes and proactively addressing them. Janet Nunn’s extraordinary compassion has been felt around Children’s Hospital since 1978. Seeing the extreme shortage of psychosocial services available, not just to children suffering from life threatening diseases, but also to their families, she became a driving force in Project Challenge; an interdisciplinary initiative that would grow to provide an expansive array of exemplary services. She also established a hospital-wide program called Adopt-A-Family to provide food, presents and essential services to some two hundred families at Christmas.
Why Honored
For her extraordinary compassion and for proactively going above and beyond on behalf of the families of Children’s Hospital. At Children’s the saying goes, "If you want to get something done, go to Ms. Nunn."
Message to Youth
"Don’t let the fear of failure discourage you from achieving your goals and don’t just do something because you think others expect it of you. There are lots of choices in life, so make sure that what you choose is really your choice."