9 Good News Stories: Anti-Bullying Upstander; Beloved Crossing Guard

ACROSS AMERICA — No kid, says Devin Moore, who knows what he’s talking about from personal experience, should ever have to experience bullying.

The Bay Shore, New York, teen told Patch’s Maureen Mullarkey that he was 14 when some of his classmates started bullying him over his race.

“I genuinely just didn’t feel safe,” he said.

Now, four years later, the nonprofit he founded, “Race To Speak Up,” is helping other kids cope with bullying, which affects about 1 in 5 U.S. school children, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Moore has also published a children’s book, “Devin Speaks Up!”

The book helps kids learn to appreciate the physical features that make them different, Moore explained.

“I know that when it comes to youth, things start at young ages,” he told Patch. “So let’s teach them about bullying prevention at a young age.” » By Maureen Mullarkey for Bay Shore Patch

• More: The Menace Of Bullies — A Patch Series

Helping Kids Feel Safe

Bob Carpentier, of Oak Forest, Illinois, certainly understands the importance of treating kids with kindness. His first post-retirement gig is a lot different from what he did professionally, but meaningful in ways his career wasn’t. A crossing guard who helps kids get to and from school safely every day — and not just as they cross the street, but in other important ways that give kids “some peace of mind just knowing I’m there,” Carpentier told Patch’s Jeff Arnold. “Once I leave in the morning, I’m all energized, and by the time I go back and see them at 3:30, I’m all jacked up again,” he said. » By Jeff Arnold for Oak Forest Patch

Superheroic Brotherly Love

Just mention Batman, and 23-year-old Zach Stehle’s eyes light up. “Batman is the most human of all the superhero characters,” he explained to Patch’s Holly Herman. “He always faces a challenge that he pushes himself through.” That’s just like Zach, who is on the autism spectrum. His determination to “push myself through” motivated younger brother Josh, 21, to write a book, “I Am A Superhero Expert: Growing Up With My Autistic Brother.” The Stehle brothers’ shared goal is for everyone to understand autism as they do. “I am not a doctor,” Josh said, putting his arm around his brother. “I am a guy with a brother who has autism.” » By Holly Herman for West Chester Patch

‘It Makes You Feel Good’

With the clock working against him, Chuck Smith didn’t have time to be afraid when he and a neighbor rescued a couple trapped on the roof of their burning home in Woodstock, Georgia. He downplayed his part, even as members of the tight-knit neighborhood showered him with praise. “It makes you feel good,” Smith told Patch’s Amanda Lumpkin. “Anybody that was put in that situation has to walk away knowing that they did something good for somebody.” » By Amanda Lumpkin for Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch

Quick Action Saves Neighbor

In Middleton, New Jersey, James and Elaine Scott ran into a burning home to help their elderly neighbor get out of her burning home. The older woman wasn’t injured and was resting in the Scotts’ home when firefighters arrived to put out the fire, which authorities said started in the attached garage. The fire was contained to the garage. » By Carly Baldwin for Middletown Patch

‘No Peak Is Impossible To Overcome’

Christine Hussey has already climbed one mountain — stage 4 ovarian cancer — and overcome the grim prognosis. The 47-year-old Bensalem, Pennsylvania, woman remains cancer-free seven years later and plans to raise awareness about the disease by climbing an actual mountain — and not just any mountain, but Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world — with her husband, 14-year-old twins and other climbers. “This is very emotional for me,” Hussey told Patch’s Dino Ciliberti. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the women we lost. This is a bucket list for me. This is monumental. We want to honor the women and show that no mountain and no peak is impossible to overcome.” » By Dino Ciliberti for Bensalem Patch

Why This Service Is Free

There are few more nerve-wracking experiences than interviewing for a new job, but a Harlem, New York, dry cleaner is helping candidates iron out some of the wrinkles. Elton Cerda, who owns DryCleanNYC, posted a sign in the window offering free cleaning to unemployed folks who need clean clothes for a job interview. Cerda told Patch’s Gus Saltonstall the pandemic was particularly hard on Harlem in terms of job loss, and he just wants to give back to a community that has supported his cleaner businesses over the years. “Nice-looking clothes make people feel more confident in these interviews, and people who use our deal are always very honest,” he said. » By Gus Saltonstall for Harlem Patch

Keeping Siblings Connected

Growing up in New Jersey’s foster care system wasn’t easy, but Tawanna Brown always had a comforting place to turn when she felt like she was losing herself: her siblings. As Patch’s Eric Kiefer reports, Brown and other young people in New Jersey just helped push a new law across the finish line, the Siblings Bill of Rights that cements the rights of children in foster care to be involved in care decisions regarding their siblings. “For me, being able to stay with my siblings allowed me reassurance that I would always have a sense of comfort and familiarity despite the series of changes,” Brown said, adding that Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature means “more young people will be granted the same opportunity of comfort in knowing they’ll have access to their siblings, or will be placed with them.” » By Eric Kiefer for West Orange Patch

‘That Truck Saved His Life’

Brenden Wetzel has a long recovery ahead. He lost control of his pickup on his way to school in New Lenox, Illinois, and crashed head-on into a tree. Both of his arms and legs were broken, among other injuries. His mom is grateful her son, a “good ol’ country boy,” was behind the wheel of a sturdy Dodge Ram pickup. “If he had been in anything else …” mom Josie Wetzel told Patch’s Lauren Traut. “That truck saved his life.” » By Lauren Traut for New Lenox Patch

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