MY HERODiscovering Heroes through technology MY HERO is an interactive educational project for children, families, teachers and librarians that encourage use of the Internet as a positive and rewarding educational experience. It uses new communications technologies, in combination with traditional and non-traditional information sources, to promote critical thinking regarding the meaning and impact of heroes and heroism. 
Youth advocates, parents, teachers and health professionals are increasingly in agreement regarding the importance of mentors and role models in positive youth development. A recent issue of Healthy Kids, a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, devoted an entire article to the importance of Heroes in child development. Author Ellen Klavan writes "role models can give kids the confidence they need to fly high." MY HERO provides a positive experience with new communication technologies by stimulating how and why certain individuals become heroes, that is, how they overcome difficult obstacles to reach their goals and contribute to the common good. MY HERO provides an alternative to the persistently negative images of human activity projected by mainstream media. It encourages participants to take part in a collective story telling experience that features both well-known and ordinary figures.
By encouraging the interaction of teachers, librarians and parents, and by linking people, stories, ideas and institutions, MY HERO fosters collaborative learning in the home, school and library settings. 
Mattie Stepanek Poet Hero Photo courtesy of Children Make A Wish Foundation While homes, schools and libraries around the world are now wired and have beautiful workstations, the need to provide quality educational non commercial activities is clear. MY HERO is an interactive web site that encourages teenagers, young children, parents and educators to experiment with technology to become computer literate as they contribute inspiring stories on line about the people who they admire.  Libraries for the Future We are seeking support to help this dynamic educational project survive and grow. The MY HERO staff has contributed thousands of hours to keep this project going. We need support so that schools and libraries can continue to utilize this on line educational program free of charge. 
Sally's Dad Lifesaver Hero Drawing by Iris Hoffman MY HERO is a not-for-profit organization that provides
an ever growing internet archive of positive role models for people
of all ages. My Hero is used in schools-community-and library projects
around the world. Thousands of teachers, parents and students contribute
their stories and illustrations to this interactive web site that celebrates
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My Hero won first prize in the 2001.Childnet International Awards for best not for profit project. Childnet Int. highlights and rewards children, and those working with them, who are developing outstanding, innovative Internet projects that directly benefit children world-wide. In the past My Hero has been recognized by the Global Information Infrastructure awards in the areas of education, children's art and entertainment. In 2000 My Hero was presented to at the Global Junior Challenge in Rome. In 1999, the project was invited to take part in a global exhibition of Internet technology as a finalist in the Stockholm Challenge Competition. |
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GROWTH
Feb 1998: 40,000 hits
Feb 2000: 90,000 hits
Feb 2001: 200,000 hits
Feb 2002: 320,000 hits
Feb. 2003: 537,761 hits
MY HERO has been visited by more than 2 million people.
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FEEDBACK
Dr. Kiefer, Superintendent of Public Schools in
Troy, Ohio
"What a wonderful idea. There are many kids surrounded by
hopelessness... programs that combat this succeed or fail based on whether
a kid believes that with consistent effort he can attain his dream...
I commend you for this effort."
William Hetzer, Broadcast Communications Chief
of UNICEF
"MY HERO is a wonderful initiative. Giving children the opportunity
to use the media and express themselves is a UNICEF priority. The MY
HERO project enables and empowers kids to do that."
Gloria Brown a teacher in Connecticut
" I have sung the praises of the web site for many months- Keep up the
good work!"
DO HEROES MATTER?
Laura Boswell, Editor of Healthy Kids
Magazine
"From Amelia Earhart to modern day heroes, we all need role models
to look up to - people who inspire us to new heights. For children too,
heroes are important, in that they help kids overcome fears, set personal
goals, and accept challenges."
Rebecca Elder, Ph.D., St. Louis Children's Hospital
"It's important that kids have these kinds of heroes, as they demonstrate
a way of making the impossible attainable; it gives children something
to stretch for."
Adam Starchild, author
"Heroes are catalysts for change. They create new possibilities. They
have a vision, and the skill and charm to implement their vision."
Collage of MY HERO stories by Antonio Mendoza
George Lucas, Producer
of Star Wars
"Mentors help novices learn by doing - applying theory in practice
– and also inspire them, keeping them motivated to persevere.
I've featured such relationships between mentors and apprenticeships
in my Star Wars films. I hope more teachers can benefit from mentoring."
STATEMENT BY JEANNE MEYERS,
Co-Founder and Director
The MY HERO project began to fill a void in the media: the lack of positive role models for our children. We launched this interactive experiment in October of 1994. Since then with donations of equipment, time and technical expertise from individuals, companies, friends and family we have nurtured the idea that we need to collectively celebrate the best of humanity.
Visitors from around the world have contributed thousands of stories to an ever-growing database of heroes. At http://myhero.com children, parents, and educators read and write about the artists, scientists, freedom heroes, peacemakers, earth keepers, teachers, and family members that inspire them. Inspirational stories of individuals like Wilma Rudolph, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela are featured along with stories of teachers, mothers, fathers and children whose courage and commitment to humanity are honored. These hero stories are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and remind us that ANY ONE CAN BE A HERO.
The My Hero Project utilizes the great potential of the internet to educate because it encourages positive interaction through an exchange of ideas. It provides students of all ages with much needed examples of individuals who have confronted and overcome obstacles. Guests have a chance to express themselves, to publish their own stories and to recognize their own power and potential as they honor others.
The children, parents, grandparents, and educators from all walks of life who contribute their individual stories are the heart of project. They continue to inspire and enlighten us all. We have only just begun to understand the ways that we can communicate with one another as a result of new technology. MY HERO is a place to experiment and further develop these new tools. Working together with educators, students, parents and other not for profit organizations, MY HERO helps to break through the barriers of the digital divide providing a freely accessible ever growing digital archive of hero stories from around the world.
MY HERO is a NOT FOR PROFIT project because it needs to be a safe haven for children and their parents to experience technology as they express their dreams and visions. We need the support of foundations and individuals to continue to grow, to experiment and improve on this interactive project. We welcome your support.
Ilse Bing, Photographer and Poet Hero