PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ron Toles, founder of the nonprofit Ordinarie Heroes, has a passion for serving the youth of Philadelphia. He’s driven to show up for them and recognizes their challenges, as he himself didn’t learn how to read until he was in the eighth grade.
“That challenge caused me to make some decisions that at the time I wasn’t very proud of,” he said. “I just want to make sure that we have space for young people to get the support that they need and get the help that they need.”
Ordinarie Heroes has programs that involve mentorship, educational initiatives, community-based advocacy and wellness support. Toles recognizes that mental health plays a key role in healing, so the organization offers a year-round program called Mental Health Mondays.
“Every week, we break it down into digestible pieces to make sure that young people are able to not only get the knowledge and the information and the resources needed to improve their mental health, but also share the challenges that they have concerning mental health,” he said.
Having compassion for the village around him is something Toles gleaned from his grandfather, whom he said was the type of man who simply believed in caring for his neighbor.
“He didn’t have a nonprofit. He just cared about the people on his block. So, according to him, I’ve been in his work my entire life.”
Ordinarie’s programs provide safe spaces for youth to refine their leadership skills and become change agents. It also has a mobile food pantry, bringing a small grocery store to families’ doorsteps.
“I’ve had conversations with people who say we would have starved this week if it had not been for your mobile food pantry.”
Toles doesn’t do this work for attention. He said he feels humbled by the recognition.
“I feel extremely blessed,” he said. “I know that there are many folks in Philadelphia who make Philadelphia a great place every day, and so to be nominated as a GameChanger is a game-changer for me.”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2026 honorees here.