United Way of Story County Announces “The Hero Effect” Docu-Series
United Way of Story County (UWSC) announces a new inspirational docu-series presented by United Way Worldwide (UWW) and produced by Dolphin Entertainment entitled The Hero Effect. The ten-episode original series will air on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), a discovery Communications subsidiary, the second Saturday of every month from 9am-10am CST, beginning on November 12. Donald Driver, a former Wide Receiver for the Green Bay Packers, and Emily Watson, a philanthropist and actress, will host the series.
Carolyn Jons of Story County will be featured in one of the episodes on a date to be determined. Jons was nominated by UWSC for the series and she was chosen by UWW to be featured for her work in building literacy in Story County. Jons is a co-founder of Raising Readers in Story County and a member of their board of directors. She is also a member of Ames Reads and has long been instrumental in advancing school readiness, grade-level reading, and school attendance in our community.
The first episode of The Hero Effect will feature Mission United™ which supports military veterans and their families with access to housing, employment and legal services, allowing them to successfully integrate into civilian life. The episode spotlights Stephen Moss, a former Army Company Commander in the Vietnam War who was inspired to take action after his daughter returned from deployment with injuries.
“United Way of Story County is proud of the support that is offered to veterans and their families in our community through support groups and financial assistance with things like rent and mortgage payments, food, medical needs, and funeral services,” said Jean Kresse, president and CEO of UWSC. “By sharing Stephen Moss’s story, The Hero Effect is shining the spotlight on the struggles veterans and their families face around the country and in our community.”
Each episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to visit www.HeroEffect.com and connect with their local United Way or other community-based organizations to create positive change.
Resources available in Story County for veterans and their surviving spouses include:
Story County Veterans Affairs – rent or mortgage payments; utilities; food and provisions; medical, dental, and vision care assistance; prescription medication; transportation; funeral services; and grave markers. For more information, call (515) 956-2626 or visit www.storycountyiowa.gov and search “Veterans Affairs.”
Iowa State University Veterans Center – free and confidential counseling for veteran and military students, free weekly dinner in a social setting for students, annual community supper honoring veterans and their families. For more information, call (515) 294-9801 or visit www.veterans.iastate.edu.
UWSC is a strategic leader in building countywide partnerships to identify needs and to develop, support and evaluate effective human services, especially in the areas of education, income and health for our diverse community.