Connie Siskowski

Connie Siskowski is a United States activist for young people who are caring for ill, disabled, or aging family members. She was named as a Purpose Prize winner in 2009 and a top 10 CNN Hero in 2012.

Life Siskowski grew up in Nutley, New Jersey. When her parents divorced, she went to live with her grandparents. When she was 11, she cared for her ailing grandfather for 2 years until his death. Her grandfather suffered from chronic heart disease. After her grandfather's death, she became a candy striper and volunteered with a local junior first aid squad. She moved to Boca Raton, Florida from New Jersey in 1990.

Career Siskowski became a registered nurse in Maryland in 1968, then in New Jersey and Florida. The organization is perhaps the first of its kind to be founded in the United States. This organization was also helped by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It also supports hundreds of students at a time.

Awards Siskowski received the Purpose Prize in 2009. In 2009, she was also named an Ashoka Fellow, which is a lifetime fellowship to expand her organization. She was also named a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2012. She was also nominated for a Blue Dove award in 2012 and more recently the Johns Hopkins Distinguished Alumna Award and has a Star in the Boca Raton Walk of Recognition. She has also hosted local awards ceremonies.