Jeni Stepanek started the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Foundation after the passing of her son, Mattie, who, like her, he had dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. During his short but rich lifetime, Mattie became a bestselling author for his peace poetry. Having the opportunity to watch Jeni nurture her beautiful son, Mattie, to help him achieve his dreams and to keep their focus on playing after every storm has been so inspirational to all of us at MY HERO.
Credit: *mh*
Hero Stories about Jeni Stepanek
Dr. Jeni Stepanek
By: Slater Jewell-Kemker
Dr. Jeni Stepanek
is interviewed by MY HERO's Slater Jewell-Kemker.
Jeni Stepanek
By: Claudia Herrera Hudson
This story includes audio to listen as you read along.
Jeni Stepanek (español)
By: Claudia Herrera Hudson
Jeni's Hero Story about Mattie
My Son, Mattie J. T. Stepanek
By: Jeni Stepanek
The 2022 Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest
By: Xenia Shin
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest is open for submissions!
MY HERO's Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest Finalists
Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest 2025
By: Abigail Richardson
Winners
Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest 2024
By: Abigail Richardson
Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest 2024
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Award 2022
By: Abigail Richardson
“A heartsong doesn’t have to be a song. It can be your message, your feeling—some people might even call it a conscience. Even though that’s not really what it is. It’s what you feel you need to do.” - Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest Winners Spring 2021
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Congratulations to the winners ofthe Spring 2021 Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest!
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest Winners
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Art Celebrating Jeni and Mattie
Mattie and Micah
By: Karen Derrico
The Greatest Gift
By: Mattie and Jeni Stepanek
- The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation -
Films
Jeni Stepanek Accepts the 2016 Humanitarian Award
Produced by:Jeni Stepanek
Jeni Stepanek Accepts the 2016 Humanitarian Award.
Oprah's Surprise Visit to Jeni Stepanek
Produced by:Oprah Winfrey Network
Video tribute from Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul Sunday
Jim Hawkins remembers Mattie
Produced by:MY HERO
Children's Hospice Volunteer Jim Hawkins
talks about his heroes, Mattie and Jeni Stepanek
(MY HERO @ NECC 2009)
Mattie Stepanek
Producer: Nathan Smith
A short animated tribute to poet hero Mattie Stepanek. The soundtrack features the St. Paul's Episcopal Day School choir singing a song inspired by one of Mattie's poems.
Related Pages
Mattie Stepanek
By: Jun Kelly
Mattie Stepanek wanted to be remembered as "a peacemaker, a poet, and a philosopher that played."