Lend a Helping Hand

Good can come from challenging times. As the COVID-19 pandemic took its grip on our health and way of life, it came with some really promising side effects.  We looked around and saw the needs around us. We acted on those needs and offered a helping hand. We volunteered in greater numbers. Click the link…Read more »

The National Anthem

Today is Memorial Day, the day we remember those men and women who died serving our country in the military. In their honor, we bring you the National Anthem. D’Corey Johnson loves singing the anthem and volunteered to sing it at his Louisville, Kentucky elementary school. He started singing in church. After you hear him…Read more »

From Patient to Graduate

Madison Jarocha has spent a lot of time as a patient. She’s been in and out of the hospital more times than she can count. That time in the hospital inspired her. Inspired her to get well. Inspired her to go to college. Inspired her to become a nurse. After graduating this month with her…Read more »

From Uber Ride to Graduation

It’s graduation season around the country. Stories of Joy is celebrating the season by highlighting a couple of graduates. Latonya Young had a goal. She wanted to go to college and earn a degree, but one thing after another got in her way. The goal seemed out of reach until Kevin Esch took an Uber…Read more »

Mr. Fix-it

Chris Barber is a good mechanic. He’s also a good guy. Linda Abrants will testify to both. Linda uses a wheelchair and had a broken wheelchair lift. It breaks so often that she gave up on having it repaired, but Chris, also known as Mr. Fix-it, came to the rescue. Like we said, he’s a…Read more »

Determination

Crystal Allenton was homeless, but that didn’t stop her. She was determined to protect her kids. She was determined to go to college. She was determined to graduate. She was determined to be a role model for her kids. Now she’s a role model for a classroom of kids. Her determination is an inspiration! Click…Read more »

People’s Kitchen

“Mom and Pop” restaurants have been hit particularly hard in the past year.  That was no different for this South Philly institution. They had to adapt their business model overnight and lay off some employees. But instead of just trying to keep their restaurant open, they realized they had an opportunity to help others in need by…Read more »

New Old Friends

You never know where a bus ride will take you. Ruby Wierzbicki and Ally Cole were on a campus bus recently. Ally likes small talk, so she struck up a conversation. That conversation led to an amazing discovery. The two college students knew each other from another time and another place. Today’s Story of Joy…Read more »

Cheesesteaks for Mom

Sunday is Mother’s Day. Dustin Vitale loves his mom . . . so much so that he doesn’t mind being called a mama’s boy. His mom is struggling with cancer, and Dustin wants to take her on a special trip. Special trips are expensive, so Dustin had to figure out a way to finance it.…Read more »

Accepting the Challenge

We’ve all been inspired by the dedication of doctors and nurses during the pandemic. They have done incredible work under difficult circumstances. Tom Pisano is a medical student, and his story inspires in a different way. As the result of a ski accident, Tom is in a wheelchair. He sees his wheelchair as a challenge,…Read more »