Celebrating Our Own: Cheryl Jean Recognized as Unsung Hero

We’re so proud to share that one of our team members, Cheryl Jean, has been recognized by Vital Village Networks as an “Unsung Hero” for her work on the Mental Health Committee. This honor shows Cheryl’s commitment to mental health advocacy and reflects the values we care about at Aeon – compassion, community support, and making a real difference in people’s lives.

A Champion for Mental Health

Cheryl has been active with the Vital Village Mental Health Committee, where she’s helped bring mental health awareness into community conversations. With 30 years in nonprofit work, Cheryl knows firsthand the challenges that individuals and families face when they need mental health support.

As Director of the Lower Roxbury Coalition and Wellness Initiative, Cheryl helps families with everything from housing assistance to basic necessities. But she saw a gap in youth mental health services and decided to do something about it.

Creating Spaces for Young People

One of Cheryl’s biggest contributions has been starting the Youth Mental Health Forum, an annual event held during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. This peer-led event brings young people together to talk openly about mental health, learn from mentors and speakers, and join workshops led by peers and community providers.

Cheryl asked the Mental Health Committee a simple but important question: “Who was talking to the youth about their mental health?” When there wasn’t a clear answer, she created the solution herself.

Well-Deserved Recognition

Beyond being honored as a Vital Village Unsung Hero, Cheryl has also been:

• Recognized by the Boston Celtics as a “Hero Among Us” for helping vulnerable residents move from homelessness to home ownership
• Named one of the 2025 City of Boston EXTRAordinary Women for her commitment to her community, neighborhood, and workplace

These awards reflect years of dedicated service, including her work with families experiencing homelessness as Vice President of Family Movement, and her involvement with the Boston Food Access Council and Boston Area Healthy Families Advisory Board.

Why This Matters to Us at Aeon

At Aeon, we believe mental health support should be accessible, compassionate, and meet people where they are. Cheryl’s work shows these values in action. Her recognition reminds us that real change happens when people step up to fill gaps in services, especially for vulnerable groups like youth and families facing housing challenges.

Cheryl draws from her own experiences as a single mother and someone who once needed the same resources she now provides. As she says, “I am serving myself. I am serving that person that needed help.” This understanding drives our mission at Aeon to provide support that truly meets community needs.

Looking Forward

Cheryl’s message is simple but powerful: “I hope that my work inspires young women, women, and individuals to support your community.” She reminds us that community brings people together, and while our sense of community may change throughout our lives, we always belong to one.

You can read more about Cheryl’s journey and her work with the Mental Health Committee here: Mental Health Committee Spotlight: Cheryl Jean

Join us in celebrating Cheryl Jean – a true unsung hero who is helping break down stigmas and create lasting change in mental health advocacy.