Local Heroes Profiles Handout

Profile 1: Maria Vasquez – Community Health Advocate

Maria Vasquez grew up in our neighborhood and saw many families struggle to access basic health services. After earning her nursing degree, she returned home and started a free weekend clinic in the school gym. She built partnerships with local pharmacies and volunteers to provide free check-ups, vaccinations, and health workshops for seniors and families in need.

Key Contributions:

• Opened the Saturday Community Clinic in 2015
• Organized monthly health-education sessions on nutrition and first aid
• Trained more than 50 student volunteers

Interesting Fact: Maria learned English and Spanish as a child and uses both to connect with everyone she serves.

Profile 2: Jamal Thompson – Youth Arts Organizer

Jamal Thompson transformed a vacant lot near our school into an outdoor mural space. Passionate about expression and belonging, Jamal invited local youth to share their stories through art. His initiative, called “Voices on the Wall,” has showcased more than 20 murals highlighting themes of hope, identity, and community pride.

Key Contributions:

• Launched “Voices on the Wall” in 2018
• Mentors teen artists in painting and design techniques
• Secured funding from the City Arts Council for supplies

Interesting Fact: Jamal collaborates with our school’s drama club to host live performances next to the murals.

Profile 3: Aisha Khan – Environmental Justice Leader

Aisha Khan witnessed polluted waterways near her home and saw the health impacts on families. She founded “Clear Streams,” a student-led group that monitors water quality, organizes clean-up drives, and lobbies city officials for stronger environmental protections.

Key Contributions:

• Established Clear Streams in 2017, with over 100 student members
• Collected data that led the city to test and treat a contaminated creek
• Hosts annual “River Day” events to educate and mobilize neighbors

Interesting Fact: Aisha is also a poet and often writes spoken-word pieces at community rallies.

Reflect and Respond

After reading these profiles, answer the questions below:

1. Which hero’s story inspired you the most, and what trait do you admire in them?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How do these heroes use their personal experiences to benefit the community?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Can you think of someone in your life or neighborhood who reminds you of these heroes? Explain how.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Culture & Connection Circle Guide

Purpose

Help students deepen understanding of local heroes by connecting those stories to their own lives and the broader community. This guide provides structured prompts, roles, and norms to ensure each student can engage meaningfully.

Circle Roles (Assign one per group)

• Facilitator: Keeps discussion on track and invites quieter voices.
• Timekeeper: Monitors time for each question (about 3 minutes per prompt).
• Recorder: Jots down key ideas, themes, and quotes on chart paper.
• Encourager: Reminds peers to build on each other’s ideas and affirm contributions.

Norms & Guidelines

1. Listen actively—no interruptions.
2. Speak from your own perspective using “I” statements.
3. Be respectful of differing viewpoints.
4. Build on others’ ideas: “Yes, and…”
5. Keep contributions concise to allow everyone to share.

Discussion Questions & Follow-Ups

1. Similarities Between You and the Heroes
   • What aspects of the heroes’ experiences mirror something in your own life?
   • Follow-Up: Can you share a specific example or story?
     Follow-Up: How did that experience shape you?
     
     
     
     
     
     
2. Resonating Stories & Admired Traits
   • Which hero’s story resonated with you most, and why?
   • Follow-Up: What trait in that hero do you admire?
     Follow-Up: How might you cultivate a similar quality?
     
     
     
     
     
     
3. Community Impact
   • How do these heroes use their personal experiences to benefit our community?
   • Follow-Up: What difference do their actions make in people’s lives?
     Follow-Up: Why is it important for community members to share their skills and stories?
     
     
     
     
     
     
4. Your Role in Community
   • What is one action you could take—big or small—to strengthen our community like these heroes did?
   • Follow-Up: Who might you involve or learn from?
     Follow-Up: When could you begin this action?
     
     
     
     
     
     

After each question, the Facilitator invites each member to share briefly in turn. The Recorder captures insights to later compare with ideas on the Personal Community Map Worksheet.

Personal Community Map Worksheet

Purpose

Use this worksheet to visually map the people, places, and values that connect you to your community. Refer to insights from the Local Heroes Profiles Handout and ideas from the Culture & Connection Circle Guide as you build your map.

Instructions

1. Draw yourself at the center of the map.
2. Surround yourself with circles representing community members, places, and shared values.
3. Label each connection and draw lines to show how you relate.
4. Reflect on your map in the questions below.

Step 1: Draw Yourself

Draw a picture or symbol that represents you in the center circle.

Step 2: Add Community Connections

Draw at least five circles around yourself. In each, write the name of a person, place, or value that matters to you.

(Optional) Add more connections if you’d like.

Step 3: Label Relationships

Draw lines from you to each connection. Next to each line, write one word or short phrase explaining your relationship (e.g., “mentor,” “shared hobby,” “family tradition,” “inspiration”).

Reflection Questions

1. Which connection on your map inspires you the most, and why?

1. How does this connection shape your sense of belonging or identity?

1. What is one action you could take to strengthen one of these connections—big or small?

When you finish, be prepared to share your map with a small group and discuss common themes and new ideas for building our community.