Everyday People, Everyday Heroes: The Heroes Quest

Last month, we introduced our Everyday People, Everyday Heroes campaign—a celebration of the ordinary people who make extraordinary impacts in our communities. If you missed that first post, you can read it here. Since then, the campaign has taken on a life of its own, growing in ways that have inspired everyone involved.

Over the past few weeks, our team brought the campaign to the Binghamton University campus, inviting students to reflect and share stories about the everyday heroes in their lives. From family members and mentors to friends, teachers, and even strangers who showed unexpected kindness, students opened up about the people who shaped them, supported them, and pushed them forward.  Their nominations can be found on the Hero Wall. Now expanding with new nominations each week, the Hero Wall has become a testament to the power of gratitude, connection, and community storytelling.

“It’s been incredible to see people stop, reflect, and celebrate the real heroes around them. Our Hero Wall will continue to grow and serve as a beautiful reminder that heroes truly are everywhere.”

- Amy Humphrey, Director, Binghamton University Liberty Partnerships Program

Introducing the Statewide Heroes Quest

As the campaign grows locally, BU LPP students are also stepping into an even bigger journey through the statewide Heroes Quest—a challenge taking place across all Liberty Partnerships Programs in New York State.

We’re proud to share that five of our local LPP students have joined the Quest.  The Heroes Quest is a multi-month personal development challenge designed to push students outside their comfort zones and help them discover the strength, resilience, and determination already within them. Each student will take part in activities such as a 48-hour digital detox, walking goals, daily gratitude practices, a 21-day wellness challenge, and other tasks that encourage reflection, discipline, and self-growth.

All roads lead to the Empire Promise Youth Summit in April 2026, themed “Rise of the Heroes and the Power Within.”  There, one student who demonstrates exceptional perseverance and personal growth will receive a $1,000 prize, but every student who completes the Quest will be honored.

And according to early student testimony, the real reward isn’t the prize—it’s the transformation happening along the way. Many have already shared personal victories, new habits, and meaningful mindset shifts that outweigh any financial incentive.

These students are discovering that being a hero begins with showing up for yourself—committing to growth, pushing past limits, and choosing to keep going, even when it’s hard.

Follow along with our students on their Heroes Quest here, and stay tuned for more updates as we continue to seek out the heroes in our community.