Stories

Billy Graham; Roy Halladay; Aretha Franklin. These are just a few of the public figures who have influenced Stu Brown during his 90 years of life. Each time an idol passes, he makes a gift in his or her memory to his favorite charity. He also does this for friends and family. “I could send [...]

When Amos made the journey from his Philadelphia home to the children’s home seven years ago, he was surprised in many ways. He was surprised to see the Lancaster County countryside that was so different from his city life. He was also surprised that he could go miles without seeing someone. The biggest surprise of [...]

How different would life be if there was a rewind button? Fortunately, thanks to the children’s home, 24-year-old Cole Tamarri (far left, pictured with his fellow 2013 graduates) was able to experience the next best thing: a second chance. Cole grew up in the Midwest, often moving from home to home. He was living on [...]

This house parent feels he has found his true calling in raising and supporting young men at the children’s home. Often, it’s the opportunities you don’t see coming that have the biggest impact on your life. John Tracy’s unexpected opportunity was becoming a house parent of teenage boys at the Weller Cottage. After John graduated [...]

This young man is working on discovering himself and his future. Like his favorite fictional superhero, 10th grader Mark is witty, funny and loyal. Spiderman doesn’t buckle in the face of danger, and only gets stronger after each feat he conquers. “When I was 3 years old, my parents up and left,” Mark said. He [...]

This alumna credits the children’s home for her success. Surrounding yourself with good or bad company is usually a choice, and although it may not seem like it in the moment, it comes with a hefty price tag — your future. Jessica Malone grew up in Philadelphia in an unstable environment and began following the [...]

As Dana reflects on her childhood, she believes, with the right support, children’s lives can be turned around. Dana Catania has been taking care of others her whole life. When her mother abandoned her and her three sisters when she was just 5 years old, she was forced into adulthood. She became “mom” to her [...]

This alumna hopes her story will offer hope and inspiration to others. When Mandy Hallman was just 6 years old, her parents divorced, and her mother began suffering from alcoholism. When she was 10, her family lost their home. After moving from apartment to apartment with their mother, who was struggling to care for herself [...]

Pennsylvania Masons founded the children’s home and continue to show their support in new, creative ways more than 100 years later. There were many ways the brothers of Concordia Lodge No. 67, Jenkintown, could have raised money for the Masonic Children’s Home, a cause close to their hearts. However, Brother Stan Pannella never thought strapping [...]