Catherine O'Neill Thorn is the founder of a wonderful non-profit organization in Denver called Art from Ashes. Art from Ashes is a non-profit organization that uses poetry and other therapies to empower youth. For more information, please follow this link: http://www.artfromashes.org/aboutafa.html I have been working with the organization for many years now as a volunteer and as a featured poet for youth workshops. I have seen some very astounding results. Kids who beforehand would not even open up in their normal classes, at home, or anywhere else because of things that they have been through gain confidence, open up, share, and heal from their experiences, turning their lives around, many times, all at once having something to believe in. The workshops often heal more effectively and reach the kids more effectively than psychoanalysis. I would like to see the work that this organization does more wide spread. The workshops provide a very non-threatening environment in which the kids can grow and transform their experiences from bad memories into boons. The process is quite beautiful to watch! Further, facilitators and everyone else involved in Art from Ashes grows, as well. Catherine is constantly creating leadership opportunities, adult workshops, and other opportunities for volunteers to learn and grow by. I feel very blessed to be a part of this organization in any capacity, and I really hope that Catherine's work with this organization becomes recognized. I believe she has helped 100s if not 1000s of people, she has created a very wonderful community, and the whole thing just keeps getting better and better.