Hometown heroes were honored with the West Virginia Can’t Wait Award. Each hero received $2,000 and was selected by a committee of volunteer leaders from around the state. The committee used three criteria for selecting each hero: the lives they changed in their communities, the courage they showed in standing up to the rich and powerful and the willingness to be led by people who are normally kept out, put down, or criminalized. Along with the cash prize, heroes will receive free on-going leadership training and coaching. Hometown Heroes include Octavia Cordon with Aspire Achievement in Kanawha County, Sarah Stone & Brooke Parker with SOAR, and Jennifer Olah with Heart + Hand Ministries.