Many of our Leaders in Action are heads of large organizations, with impressive accomplishments in the public and private sectors. But Mary Miller personifies the traits of leadership, commitment, and perseverance as well as any of the others. That's why we've made this "everyday hero" our latest Leader in Action.

When Mary moved to her community nearly five years ago, she recognized that the local youth were hungry to be involved in something positive. Mary decided to combine her desire to encourage these youth with her love for theater and created a year-round theater ministry that has motivated children and adults to get involved both on and off the stage. But this theater is not about entertainment -- it is about changing lives.

The story of the theater group's most recent production, "Treasures of the Heart," powerfully illustrates Mary's spirit. Her inspiration for writing the play was the warmth, hope, and generosity of homeless people she has encountered. Mary says, "I knew of the plight of the homeless, but in preparing this musical I found something I didn't quite expect. I found a spirit in the cold among those who will be alone or hungry this Christmas. Though they were without worldly possessions, hungry, and sometimes dirty and stricken with illness, there seemed to be a hope, a belief." As one homeless gentleman told her, "They can take away your house, your car, and your money, but they can't take away your spirit and all that lies inside your heart."

In preparing for the production, Mary herself faced several obstacles that many would have found overwhelming, including an ongoing battle with cancer and a violent assault by an intruder at her home. She persevered with more determination than ever, because, she explained, "I'm more than just a woman living with cancer, a woman surviving an assault. I am a mother, a wife, a woman of faith and hopefully, a mentor and role model for our youth and children."

In fact, she's that and so much more: She's an inspiration to everyone around her and a living example of faith, determination, service, and leadership.

CASE FOUNDATION: Can you tell me about the youth parish community you've been forming, and the impact you and the youth have had on the community?

MS. MILLER: I've always had an interest in the welfare of children and youth. I worked for 18 years as a pediatric nurse with a focus on critical care. As I listened to families and youth over those 18 years, I sensed that our communities were missing something. We provided all sorts of extracurricular activities for children, many of them having a positive influence on the children as far as healthy living, sportsmanship, and basic values. But there didn't seem to be lot that would connect children with their spiritual values other than church services and basic religious education. I think most people would agree that it takes more than church on Sundays to enliven the spiritual values of our children.  Read more.