The Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2015 | CNN

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The Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2015

Updated 5:31 PM EST, Wed December 16, 2015
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Since 2005, Monique Pool has helped rescue, rehabilitate and return hundreds of sloths back to the rainforest in her native Suriname.
Since 2005, Monique Pool has helped rescue, rehabilitate and return hundreds of sloths back to the rainforest in her native Suriname.
John Nowak/CNN
Pool's home serves as a temporary sanctuary for the mammals.
Pool's home serves as a temporary sanctuary for the mammals.
John Nowak/CNN
For 23 years, Dr. Jim Withers has been treating the homeless in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- under bridges, in alleys and along riverbanks.
For 23 years, Dr. Jim Withers has been treating the homeless in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- under bridges, in alleys and along riverbanks.
Krisanne Johnson/Getty Images for CNN
Since 1992, he and his group have reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing.
Since 1992, he and his group have reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing.
Krisanne Johnson/Getty Images for CNN
Kim Carter helps women and their children break the cycle of homelessness in San Bernardino, California.
Kim Carter helps women and their children break the cycle of homelessness in San Bernardino, California.
KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
Since 2002, more than 800 women -- many who are formerly incarcerated -- have benefited from Carter's program.
Since 2002, more than 800 women -- many who are formerly incarcerated -- have benefited from Carter's program.
KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
Rev. Richard Joyner is leading his rural community in North Carolina to better health.
Rev. Richard Joyner is leading his rural community in North Carolina to better health.
David S. Holloway/CNN
More than 80 young people help Joyner plan, plant and harvest nearly 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year.
More than 80 young people help Joyner plan, plant and harvest nearly 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Sean Gobin, a former U.S. Marine, helps support fellow combat veterans as they "walk off the war" on  the Appalachian Trail and other long-distance hikes throughout the country.
Sean Gobin, a former U.S. Marine, helps support fellow combat veterans as they "walk off the war" on the Appalachian Trail and other long-distance hikes throughout the country.
John Nowak/CNN
Ranging from two to six months, these journeys give veterans a chance to connect with nature and work through their issues while enjoying the camaraderie and support of other war veterans.
Ranging from two to six months, these journeys give veterans a chance to connect with nature and work through their issues while enjoying the camaraderie and support of other war veterans.
John Nowak/CNN
Bhagwati Agrawal and his nonprofit created a rainwater harvesting system that provides clean water to six villages -- more than 10,000 people -- in India's driest region.
Bhagwati Agrawal and his nonprofit created a rainwater harvesting system that provides clean water to six villages -- more than 10,000 people -- in India's driest region.
Harsha Vadlamani/Getty Images for CNN
As a result, women no longer have to spend their days walking miles to fetch water. Girls can stay in school, and fewer people become sick.
As a result, women no longer have to spend their days walking miles to fetch water. Girls can stay in school, and fewer people become sick.
Harsha Vladlamani/Getty Images for CNN
Jody Farley-Berens and her group support single moms in Arizona who are battling cancer.
Jody Farley-Berens and her group support single moms in Arizona who are battling cancer.
John Nowak/CNN
Her group provides housecleaning, meals and financial aid to more than 300 parents and their children.
Her group provides housecleaning, meals and financial aid to more than 300 parents and their children.
John Nowak/CNN
Rochelle Ripley and her nonprofit provide healthcare and education opportunities to the Lakota people in South Dakota.
Rochelle Ripley and her nonprofit provide healthcare and education opportunities to the Lakota people in South Dakota.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Her nonprofit has delivered an estimated $9 million in services and goods to people living on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
Her nonprofit has delivered an estimated $9 million in services and goods to people living on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Dr. Daniel Ivankovich is an orthopedic surgeon who treats patients in Chicago's troubled neighborhoods, regardless of their ability to pay.
Dr. Daniel Ivankovich is an orthopedic surgeon who treats patients in Chicago's troubled neighborhoods, regardless of their ability to pay.
JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK/Getty Images for CNN
Today, his group runs three clinics in Chicago, and he performs more than 600 surgeries a year.
Today, his group runs three clinics in Chicago, and he performs more than 600 surgeries a year.
Jessica A. Koscielniak/Getty Images for CNN
After traveling in war-torn Nepal in 2006, Maggie Doyne changed her life's course to help children in the remote district of Surkhet.
After traveling in war-torn Nepal in 2006, Maggie Doyne changed her life's course to help children in the remote district of Surkhet.
Vivek Singh/Getty Images for CNN
She and her group provide a home for nearly 50 children and a school that educates hundreds more.
She and her group provide a home for nearly 50 children and a school that educates hundreds more.
VIVEK SINGH/Getty Images for CNN

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