Our Mission
We value the heroes in our community that consistently uphold the standards of a respectable, moral character. We especially value the persistence of good character when not under perceived-observation. We believe that individuals who uphold the principles of virtuous character in public and private are true heroes of the community.
Day to day, heroes in our community spread positivity and love to others despite the adversities they may be facing in life. We believe that these heroes are the foundation of our robust and enriching community at the University of Chicago. Our community could not flourish without them.
By recognizing community members that consistently adhere to qualities of moral character, we aim to spread love and encourage others to embrace principles of a virtuous being. We select a new hero each month, awarding them $100 and a certificate. Their magnificent stories are shared on our website.
Our Goals
Our goal is to encourage heroes in our community to persist in spreading love and positivity. We want our award to positively reinforce the moral behavior exemplified by these individuals who add great value to our community, especially in times of adversity. Additionally, we hope that sharing the stories of our heroes will inspire others to uphold principles of a virtuous character. Together, we can make our community and the world a better place.
Our goal for the future is to increase the number and value of awards given out each month. We wish to eventually provide more opportunities for the recognized heroes and their families. Furthermore, we hope to grow our platform so that more individuals are encouraged to live by standards of a moral character. An important element of our mission is to inspire individuals to exemplify character qualities of a virtuous being, especially in the face of adversity. To conclude, our goal is to accentuate the actions of true heroes that add significant value to our community.
This Month’s Hero
Martha
For the past two years, Martha has been a warm and uplifting presence at Bartlett Dining Commons. Martha is originally from Mexico and moved to the United States 21 years ago in hopes of creating a better life for herself and her two daughters. Her story is shaped by hard work, faith and an unwavering love for her family, and that shines through the moment you talk with her.
Martha speaks about her job with true happiness. She shared that she loves her work and feels joy in what she does, and it is easy to see why students appreciate her so much. Even on long days, she brings kindness to the people around her. The simple way she interacts with others makes a real difference, and her gratitude for the community she works in is sincere and steady.
Outside of work, Martha’s life is centered around faith, family and staying active. She goes to church every week and finds a lot of peace there, describing it as something that keeps her grounded. She also enjoys going to the gym and taking care of herself, but the thing she values most is spending time with her daughters. She told us that being with her family is the most important part of her life, and her voice made it clear how much they mean to her.
When we asked Martha for a piece of advice that guides her, she spoke about giving love freely, even when it is not always returned. She likes to bless others quietly, often telling people “God be with you”, because she truly hopes they feel supported and loved. Her approach to life is gentle but powerful, and the people around her feel that warmth without her ever needing to say much.
After we presented Martha with the award of $100 and took a photo together, she became very emotional, almost drawn to tears. She said that God blesses us at the moments when we need it most and gave us both warm and loving hugs while thanking us. With the holidays approaching and her daughters on her mind, she felt that this gesture arrived at exactly the right moment. Her gratitude reminded us why Heroes of Hyde Park exists in the first place, which is to honor the people who quietly strengthen our community every single day.
Martha’s story is one of resilience, generosity and deep love. Hyde Park is fortunate to have her and the students who see her every day at Bartlett feel the difference she makes. Her kindness lingers long after the moment passes, and the love she pours into others will continue to echo throughout our community.