Meet the Inspiring People
Making a Local Impact
Community is built through caring, often simple actions in our day-to-day lives that ease the burdens of those around us.
These six selfless Philadelphians understand that better than most. Each of their stories reveals empathy in action and a commitment to strengthening their community by helping those who need it most. The Caring Collective, sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, celebrates these individuals and highlights their endeavors to better the lives of their neighbors.
Explore their journeys, which will be revealed monthly through November.
- Ashlee Hollis opened The Story Factory, a production house and community space where creativity and giving back come together, including an annual celebration honoring Philadelphia’s teachers.
- Jenna Ben-Shersher founded Twist Out Cancer, a nonprofit that pairs artists with people affected by cancer to tell their stories through original works of art.
- Brad Aronson wrote Humankind, a book about everyday acts of kindness, after the outpouring of support his family received during his wife’s cancer treatment.
- B. Jawaun Jones started Haircuts4Homeless, providing free haircuts to unhoused Philadelphians on Broad Street.
- Tamara Smith promotes education equity as executive director of Reading Allowed, a non-profit that provides free, professional reading services to students.
- Cleopatra Herrera turned her grief for a friend’s death during childbirth into A Home from Shana, offering free housing and health services to unhoused moms-to-be.