Joan Hecht
Encyclopedia
Joan Hecht is an American humanitarian
and award winning author of the book The Journey of the Lost Boys
. She is also the founder and President of the 501 c-3 non-profit Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan
, an organization that assists with the health and educational needs of Lost Boys
and their families living in the United States
and Africa
. Hecht formerly traveled as a back-up singer for The Johnny Van Zant Band
and began recording professionally at age 14. However, she is best known for her work related to the Lost Boys of Sudan
, including engaging in public speaking on their behalf and that of the people of South Sudan, as well as writing an award winning book about them titled , "The Journey of the Lost Boys
".
, where she lived with her husband and two children. Prior to that point, Hecht had worked as an executive in sales and marketing and also as a professional singer, backing Johnny Van Zant
. Encountering some of the refugees personally in her church, Hecht decided to lend a hand, expecting to help them acclimate to Western culture for a relatively short time. In 2002, after Ezekiel Kong Deng — one of the refugees whom she had unofficially adopted — died following a failed liver transplant, Hecht conceived the idea of creating a Foundation to assist the refugees.
In 2004, she founded the Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan. She serves as director for the organization, which provides aid for educational and medical needs to the refugees in the United States as well as in Africa, where it also provides basic survival needs. In 2005, she released the book The Journey of the Lost Boys, a narrative of the experiences of these refugees, which earned "First Place in Education" and garnered Hecht the title of "2005 Author of Year" by the Promoting Outstanding Writers organization of Mandarin. She has also been since 2007 the volunteer chairwoman of education on the Board of Directors
for The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan National Network, based in Washington DC.
named Hecht one of its "Local Heroes" for her humanitarian efforts, and early in 2008, the Sunshine State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages of Florida awarded Hecht its President's Award for the same. In October 2008, Florida Governor
Charlie Crist
named Hecht a "Point of Light" for her work with the refugees, commenting that "Over the past seven years, Joan has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Lost Boys of Sudan.... Her efforts to provide mentoring opportunities have helped Sudanese youth discover their dreams and potential." Hecht also received The Points of Light Award from the National Points of Light Institute, which was founded by President George H. W. Bush
. Hecht and her family, along with local Lost Boys were featured in Disney's
November 2007 's Family Fun magazine, which in coordination with the Hands on Network, selected them as the 2007 grand prize winners of its "Family Fun Volunteers Contest."
Humanitarianism
In its most general form, humanitarianism is an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended universally and impartially to all human beings. Humanitarianism has been an evolving concept historically but universality is a common element in its evolution...
and award winning author of the book The Journey of the Lost Boys
The Journey of the Lost Boys
The Journey of the Lost Boys is a non-fiction book by Joan Hecht about The Lost Boys of Sudan. "The Lost Boys" are a group of young children who became separated from their parents due to civil war in their homeland...
. She is also the founder and President of the 501 c-3 non-profit Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan
Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan
Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan is a 501 C-3 all-volunteer foundation in Jacksonville, Florida, established in 2004, to meet the health and educational needs of Lost Boys and their siblings living in Africa and the United States...
, an organization that assists with the health and educational needs of Lost Boys
Lost Boys of Sudan
The Lost Boys of Sudan is the name given to the groups of over 20,000 boys of the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups who were displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War , about 2.5 million killed and millions were displaced...
and their families living in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Hecht formerly traveled as a back-up singer for The Johnny Van Zant Band
Van Zant
Van Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant. Both are brothers of the late Ronnie Van Zant, former lead singer for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd...
and began recording professionally at age 14. However, she is best known for her work related to the Lost Boys of Sudan
Lost Boys of Sudan
The Lost Boys of Sudan is the name given to the groups of over 20,000 boys of the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups who were displaced and/or orphaned during the Second Sudanese Civil War , about 2.5 million killed and millions were displaced...
, including engaging in public speaking on their behalf and that of the people of South Sudan, as well as writing an award winning book about them titled , "The Journey of the Lost Boys
The Journey of the Lost Boys
The Journey of the Lost Boys is a non-fiction book by Joan Hecht about The Lost Boys of Sudan. "The Lost Boys" are a group of young children who became separated from their parents due to civil war in their homeland...
".
Biography
Hecht first encountered the Lost Boys in 2001, when 85 of the approximately 3800 refugees who had relocated to the United States settled in Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, where she lived with her husband and two children. Prior to that point, Hecht had worked as an executive in sales and marketing and also as a professional singer, backing Johnny Van Zant
Johnny Van Zant
John Roy "Johnny" Van Zant is an American musician and the current lead vocalist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He is the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd co-founder and former lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and .38 Special founder Donnie Van Zant.Van Zant performed during the 1970s with...
. Encountering some of the refugees personally in her church, Hecht decided to lend a hand, expecting to help them acclimate to Western culture for a relatively short time. In 2002, after Ezekiel Kong Deng — one of the refugees whom she had unofficially adopted — died following a failed liver transplant, Hecht conceived the idea of creating a Foundation to assist the refugees.
In 2004, she founded the Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan. She serves as director for the organization, which provides aid for educational and medical needs to the refugees in the United States as well as in Africa, where it also provides basic survival needs. In 2005, she released the book The Journey of the Lost Boys, a narrative of the experiences of these refugees, which earned "First Place in Education" and garnered Hecht the title of "2005 Author of Year" by the Promoting Outstanding Writers organization of Mandarin. She has also been since 2007 the volunteer chairwoman of education on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
for The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan National Network, based in Washington DC.
Honors and awards
In 2007, Bank of AmericaBank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
named Hecht one of its "Local Heroes" for her humanitarian efforts, and early in 2008, the Sunshine State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages of Florida awarded Hecht its President's Award for the same. In October 2008, Florida Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
named Hecht a "Point of Light" for her work with the refugees, commenting that "Over the past seven years, Joan has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Lost Boys of Sudan.... Her efforts to provide mentoring opportunities have helped Sudanese youth discover their dreams and potential." Hecht also received The Points of Light Award from the National Points of Light Institute, which was founded by President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. Hecht and her family, along with local Lost Boys were featured in Disney's
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
November 2007 's Family Fun magazine, which in coordination with the Hands on Network, selected them as the 2007 grand prize winners of its "Family Fun Volunteers Contest."