CHICAGO (WLS) -- Heroes walk among us.
Recently, some from our area got global attention for what they are growing in Englewood.
The staff at Southside Blooms puts bouquets together for subscribers and special orders.
The Englewood shop hires and trains young people from the South Side. It is part of the owner's mission to ultimately save lives by offering economic opportunity.
During the growing season, the flowers are grown at their local farms on what had been vacant lots. Over the weekend, owners Quilen and Hannah Blackwell got a surprise!
"I was thoroughly shocked on stage," Quilen said.
Quilen won Hero of the Year from CNN.
"It didn't think we'd stand a chance, but the hood rallied, and here we are," Quilen said.
After 11 years, their organization has offered education and jobs to hundreds of young people.
"I feel like this is a big win for Chicago, a big win for the inner city in general. Of course, it's very affirming, because our model, it's a little outside the box," Quilen said. "This is about preserving life and creating opportunities for young people."
Camari Brownlee is a Southside Blooms florist.
"Especially as youth coming here right after school, don't have to be outside, you get a little pay. You can pay for stuff. It's real good," Brownlee said.
The Blackwells' big news, locally, is that they are expanding to the West Side. They are currently hiring for their new shop, taking their mission to North Lawndale this spring.
"That's always been Hannah and mine's core passion, has always been, is to not only create jobs for youth here in Englewood, but all across the country and establish florists as an anchor industry in every hood," Quilen said.
Along with the award comes $100,000. Per the Blackwells' mission, they say they will use that money to buy more vacant lots, grow more flowers and provide more opportunities.
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