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The Leroy W. Homer Jr. Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports and encourages young adults who strive to pursue a career as a professional pilot. This foundation has given hope to disadvantaged youth and granted many scholarships since its inception in 2002, all of which have lead recipients to prestigious careers in the field of aviation.

Leroy W. Homer Jr. in 1984.

It was founded in honor of the late LeRoy W. Homer, First Officer and pilot of United Airlines flight 93, which tragically crashed as part of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Had it not been for Homer and his acts of heroism, many more lives surely would have been lost. In LeRoy’s memory, the foundation applies public and corporate donations directly to scholarships. Thanks to these scholarships, the dreams of aspiring young pilots have come true. In addition, the foundation provides outreach programs promoting awareness to children about the field of aviation.

Leroy W. Homer Jr. had dreamt of becoming a pilot since his early childhood. At the young age of 15, he began flying lessons and completed his first flight when he was just 16 years old. After a successful military career as a pilot flying for humanitarian operations, LeRoy went on to fly commercially for United Airlines. On the morning of September 11, 2001, LeRoy and his crew set out on a 37-passenger flight from New Jersey to San Fransisco. Shortly after takeoff, the plane was hijacked by 4 terrorists in efforts to attack the US Capitol; the plane was then rerouted to Washington DC. Homer quickly issued a “Mayday” call to traffic control. While the crew and passengers called their families via GTE Airfones, they learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center earlier that day and were determined to take back the plane. Homer is credited to a great extent for his struggle with the terrorists and for deploying autopilot controls in a way that made it very difficult for the terrorists to fly the plane. Sadly however, the plane crashed in Pennsylvania killing everyone on board. Thanks to combined efforts of Leroy Homer Jr. and others on board, the hijackers were thwarted, thus saving the US Capitol and many other lives that day. Homer is survived by his wife, Melodie, and their daughter, Laurel.

The Leroy W. Homer Jr. foundation was formed in his memory by Homer’s loved ones the following year. His wife, Melodie, is president. Homer’s passion and heroism have served as inspiration to many young folks who have achieved their dream of becoming a professional pilot, thanks to the foundation’s generous aviation scholarships. Many scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the nonprofit organization, leading recipients to promising careers in the field of aviation. Recipients of the scholarship have earned various degrees in the field of aviation, including aeronautical engineering, aviation business, as well as aeronautical technology and science. The program is privately and corporately funded (with over 60 corporate sponsors including Whole Foods Market, the Baltimore Orioles, and Continental Airlines). In addition to these scholarships, members of the group also provide community outreach to underprivileged New Jersey schools, aiming to educate and inspire children. This foundation has done such wonderful things in Leroy’s honor, and has bred an admirable group of passionate young professionals in the field of aviation. If you would like to learn more about the Leroy W. Homer Foundation, please visit their GivingPress nonprofit website here.

Africa is the poorest continent on Earth, with the majority of its population lacking basic human needs – things we take for granted every day. To most, it is common knowledge that the people Africa live in poverty. Not just poverty, but extreme poverty. According to worldhunger.org, Africa has the highest prevalence of malnutrition in the world – about 25% of its population. Factors contributing to this heartbreaking statistic are many, including government corruption, disease, and environmental challenges – but that’s just scratching the surface. Despite these facts, the people of Africa are also some of the most beautiful, spirited people in the world. It’s easy to see in the social media videos shared by Awaken Love For Africa’s founder Sophie MacLachlan.

Awaken Love is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of those affected by poverty in Kenya. The UK-based charity works hands-on helping West Kenyan orphans, widows, and families in need. AL was founded in 2007 by Sophie, who was deeply moved at the number of neglected orphans and lack of care and opportunity she witnessed during a post-graduation trip to Kenya. She scrapped her college plan, recruited her family (among them an experienced builder), and dedicated her life to this incredible cause. Since their inception, they have founded projects that have given a tremendous amount of hope and support to the people of Kenya.

One of the amazing ways AL has helped Kenya is their involvement in Gideon’s Orphanage. The orphanage was started when a poor African couple took in 32 homeless children and cared for them (they lived in a mud hut). AL discovered this makeshift orphanage and quickly intervened; Gideon’s Orphanage was rebuilt and living conditions significantly improved. The orphanage now fosters 200 children, and the two organizations continue working closely together. In Africa, education is a luxury most people are not afforded. With the help and support of Awaken Love, the youth of Kenya are able to participate in workshops that teach them valuable skills in training for the job market. In efforts to increase the low employment rate (and decrease homelessness), AL has set up specialized workshops teaching skills in the areas of computers, carpentry, and sewing. They want to expand these workshops by offering education in other areas as well, so those skilled in other areas (such as mechanics and metal-working) are encouraged to enlist in the volunteer program. Teachers are always needed!

Through these projects and others, AL continues to help members of these poor communities become independent through employment, maintain sufficient living conditions in Gideon’s Orphanage, and provides hope and support to those in need. Sponsorship programs are available which provide basic needs for poor children, including food, clothes, and healthcare. Through their nonprofit website, donations can be made toward AL’s efforts, as well as sponsorship for individual children; you can also enroll in their volunteer program, or just learn more about this charitable organization itself by visiting their website: http://www.awakenlove.org.uk. Thank you, Awaken Love, for all that you do in opening a world of opportunities to the beautiful people of Kenya!

Isn’t it nice to imagine living in a world where everyone has a decent place to live? This is the vision of the international nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity. The sad reality, however, is that the percentage of people living in poverty is at an alarming rate; this poverty rate has consistently continued rising as pay rates are grossly disproportionate to the rising cost of living. As a result, this rise in poverty has resulted in a global housing crisis, leaving many working families to live in substandard, overcrowded, and even unsafe homes. The kind people of HFH offer adequate housing options to qualifying families in need at very low mortgage rates.

Recent statistics show that roughly 828 million of the world’s population live in urban slums and poverty-stricken districts; urban areas make up an estimated 50 percent of the world’s communities. Research has proven that, overall, children living in substandard housing are affected negatively in the area of academics. Worse yet, shortages of clean drinking water and poor sanitation practices claim the lives of almost 2 million children a year worldwide. With these saddening facts, it’s a blessing to see nonprofit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, in action and continuing their efforts to make the world a much better place.

On the positive side, HFH has provided over one million quality homes (some brand new, some renovated) to families in need! That means these working families are more easily able to afford healthcare, food, and clothing. This wonderful organization does even more than provide housing; they offer programs such as financial education and disaster response. There are also HFH “ReStores”, or nonprofit stores open to the public selling donated furniture and appliances; proceeds are used for housing operations. The August/CSRA division of HFH uses their GivingPress nonprofit website to showcase team members, news highlights, and events. With the use of responsive plugins, community members are easily able to apply for housing, enroll in volunteer programs, and donate to the cause. For more information on Habitat for Humanity: Augusta/CRSA, visit their nonprofit website. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for helping to make the world a happier and safer place!