Marie Miller became a police officer by accident. But what a fortunate accident it was.

When the young lawyer for the owner of the St. Paul senior-housing community showed up to explain why the building was about to be sold for a luxury, market-rate development, she didn’t feel threatened by Janet Troutman Simmons. After all, in 2015, Simmons was 88! But that was a mistake.

For a long time, Gwyn Guidy believed as her parents did: One person can’t make a difference.

“My parents didn’t think it was worth it to be generous with your time,” the Houston resident recalls sadly. “They didn’t even vote; after all, they thought, nothing we did would impact anything significant. And I carried that attitude with me for a long time.”

Ana Rodriguez spent her childhood and young adult years moving. Literally.

Yoana Amond just celebrated earning her associates' degree in special education. She earned her degree over three years of college classes, while raising the youngest of her five children and two grandchildren. Although English is not Amond's first language, she achieved her goal thanks to determination, opportunities and personal support.

If it's true that the quickest way to people's hearts is through their stomach, then it's no surprise why Champs Diner in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is beloved by so many in the community. Champs was not always a local winner; the restaurant suffered a few knockout punches throughout the years until it was rescued in 2015 by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley.