All Charity Stories
11
A Second Chance
Like too many children, Maci was born into a deeply troubled relationship that soon ended in estrangement. Her father, Dennis, was a severe alcoholic who was in serious trouble with the law for multiple DUI violations. His poor choices kept him alienated from his fiancé, his parents, and Maci.
21
Restoring Miss Brackenridge
Miss Brackenridge had seen it all. In her prime, she was the pride of Allegheny Valley. She would ride up and down from Aspinwall to New Kensington, Tarentum, Natrona and everywhere between as folks admired her beautiful trappings and stunning curves.
13
Past as a Prelude
The issues were polarizing.
Refugees. Family separations. Sanctuary cities. Human trafficking. Rights of citizenship. Conflicts between federal and state law. Enforcement by U.S. Marshals. Court challenges.
53
From Homeless to Hopeful
Eighteen months ago, the situation seemed hopeless.
“I was homeless, living in vacant houses, suffering from a drug addiction, and did not have custody of my children.”
11
Rose in Bloom
It’s dark. The fire crackles. She can smell the smoke. The heat is transforming its pristine white exterior into something brown and slightly charred. Flames rise and fall. She knows it can only last a few more minutes in the fire. Someone nudges her arm and hands her a graham cracker. Quite possibly, this is one of the best days of her life.
8
Drawing Her Voice
“NO! They’re mine!”
Alice was yelling again. The art therapist in charge of the after-school art program winced, but was unsurprised. Another student had asked Alice for a piece of blue paper (earlier, she had taken them from all the other tables) and as usual, she refused to share.
