Community Update

Daily life can be tough.<br><br>But it helps to keep things in perspective.<br><br><span>Over the last month or so, Patch and Post Grape-Nuts have teamed up to present stories about your neighbors who have faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many of us.&nbsp; But not to the people we've featured in this series, Journeys.&nbsp;<br>N</span>ot surprisingly, the stories have generated dozens of comments on Patch and on Facebook.<br><br><span>So, in case you missed them—or if you want to read them again for an extra lift—here they are. Great stories shared to inspire.&nbsp;</span><br><br>Take a look at what these people have faced. Then click on the story to see their responses. And, feel better about things.<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/senior-triumphing-over-autism-now-faces-other-life-ch832cfffb1e">Senior Triumphing Over Autism Now Faces Other Life Challenges</a><br>Vinnie Castelucci, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old, now faces a challenge that most of his peers are dealing with—graduation.&nbsp;<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/8-year-olds-birthday-wish-will-help-clean-water-in-rw0f102ecfd9">8-Year-Old's Birthday Wish Will Help Clean Water in Rwanda</a><br>This year, the Oakmont Borough second-grader&nbsp;Kylie Longstreth&nbsp;asked her neighbors to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://my.charitywater.org/kylies-birthday-wish">donate to Charity: Water</a>, an organization dedicating to providing clean water for people around the world.<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/moms-challenge-inspires-organization-for-chd-support-4e65ce0924">Mom's Challenge Inspires Organization for CHD Support, Awareness</a><br>Danielle McKain lived at the hospital for a year while her son had several surgeries to treat his congenital heart disease. She started the organization Jameson's Army to help other families in similar situations.<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/more-than-just-weight-loss-woman-shares-journey-to-he30ea493cb7">More Than Just Weight Loss: Woman Shares Journey to Health</a><br>Hayley Martin has lost more than 60 pounds but says that the weight loss is just an added bonus of creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://">Nonprofit Has Tons of Success Clearing Litter from State Waterways</a><br>Paddle Without Pollution, a nonprofit organization, cleans waterways throughout Pennsylvania and cleared 2.6 tons of litter from Chartiers Creek in April.&nbsp;<br><br>So, what are your challenges and goals?<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/tell-us-whats-the-biggest-challenge-youve-ever-faced-f00a6c67">Tell Us: What's the Biggest Challenge You've Ever Faced?</a><br>Whether it's being the first in your family to graduate college or raising money for a local cause, tell us your stories.&nbsp;<br><br><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/tell-us-whats-the-goal-you-are-working-on-right-now-4b8d2dcc" title="Link: http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/journeys/p/tell-us-whats-the-goal-you-are-working-on-right-now-4b8d2dcc">Tell Us: What's the Goal You Are Working on Right Now?</a>Big or small, we want to know what goals Upper St. Clair&nbsp;residents are working toward and how they plan to achieve them.