Ordinarie Heroes

Ordinarie Heroes is a Black-led nonprofit dedicated to addressing educational and health disparities in under-resourced communities. The "IE" in our name stands for I'm Enough because we believe that ordinary people can create real change. Through creative skills-based education, collaborative mentoring, and holistic well-being, we empower young people from historically marginalized communities to lead, create, and advocate.

We provide holistic support for youth ages 11-24 through leadership development, college and career exploration, workforce development, and creative expression. Our youth services include mentorship, life skills training, and opportunities to use photography and filmmaking as tools for storytelling and advocacy. Beyond youth development, we address systemic challenges by combating food insecurity through food distribution, fresh produce access, and nutrition education. Each year, we serve over 2,000 individuals and distribute more than 25,000 pounds of food, ensuring both immediate support and long-term impact.

Ordinarie Heroes (OH) is dedicated to creating a holistic ecosystem of support that uplifts youth and strengthens the communities they call home. OH’s work blends care for immediate needs with a focus on empowering young people to drive meaningful change, ensuring both individual growth and collective progress.

From Developing Youth Leaders. The Inspire Program is the foundation of this work, teaching youth leadership through academic support, group sessions on decision-making, emotional intelligence, and communication, and guidance on life after high school through college and career exploration. Inspire equips young people with the tools to navigate their futures while encouraging them to become active contributors to their communities.

To Amplifying Youth Voices Through Creativity. For youth who may not connect with traditional educational pathways, OH created the Young Visionaries Collective. This program offers an alternative, justice-centered space where young people can explore nontraditional careers, develop new skills, and harness their creative voice through film and photography. Through these mediums, youth not only find their self-expression but also become powerful advocates for social justice, telling stories that challenge inequities and inspire change.

To Supporting Communities through Nutrition and Sustainability. OH addresses the systemic challenges that impact youth development and is committed to pursuing justice within the broader systemic issues affecting the communities it serves. Many youth face food insecurity, a harsh reminder of the inequalities that persist in their environments. In response, OH established the S.O.W. Hope Mobile Pantry, which distributes over 25,000 pounds of food annually, and the S.O.W. Hope Farm, which provides access to fresh foods and nutrition education. These initiatives address immediate needs while tackling the root causes of hunger and inequity.

Together, OH’s programs form a cohesive system of support, ensuring young people are empowered to lead, create, and advocate while also addressing the environments that shape their lives. By meeting immediate needs and building pathways for long-term change, OH’s work creates a brighter, more equitable future for youth and their communities.