Positively Uplifting Stories | October 20 2025

Showing emotions isn’t a sign of weakness! Our ability to feel deeply is what makes us human. Real strength lies in being vulnerable, understanding your emotions, and facing them with grace.

Embrace your humanity.

By sharing our stories of struggle and hope, we make it easier to accept the truth that, while life can be hard and often unfair, it’s also full of beautiful surprises!

 "Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection." - Brené Brown

Take a look at a few stories we found - filled with compassion, empathy, and human connection from around the world.

• A bus driver supports a student during a difficult transition
• Volunteers come together to create a safe shelter for women
• An organization puts spotlight on young men’s struggles
• Dads write letters bringing joy to thousands of strangers

Positively Uplifting Stories | October 20 2025

Bus driver’s heartwarming gestures help a student cope with the loss of his grandfather.

Anne Marie Torregrossa is a bus driver for Cranston Public Schools.

Jack Monterecy, a second-grade student at Oak Lawn Elementary School, is one of her passengers. However, Jack’s parents, Caroline and Jonathan Monterecy, could never have imagined that she would play such an important role in their son’s life.

For the past three years, Jack’s grandfather, Peter Magnan, would see him off to school each day as the school bus passed his house. But sadly, Peter passed away.

Since his passing, Anne has gone above and beyond to help Jack cope with the loss of his beloved grandfather.

She placed a picture of Peter on the bus, gave Jack the role of a special helper, and even put wreaths on a telephone pole near the stop sign where Peter used to stand, all in an effort to keep his memory alive!

“It was a hard time so she [Anne] was trying to make my life a little better without Papa. She was making me be better," said Jack.

Former aged care home is transformed into a safe haven for women in need.

A group of volunteers has transformed an outdated aged care facility into a safe home for women facing housing insecurity.

The home includes 28 rooms for women fleeing domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness in Sydney’s south.

It will provide a secure space where women in need can begin to rebuild their lives and work toward finding permanent housing.

“There's a bigger picture because we want to see the women come in here. We want to see them safe and secure. And then we want to be able to offer them training and upskilling opportunities. So, it's a wonderful opportunity to restore independence for them as well,” said Chris Mamarelis, CEO of Whiddon.

An organization aims to broaden young men’s perspectives on the role of men in today's world.

Johnny Cole and David Reese are facilitating a program called Men’s Work, which provides a safe space for students at Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio, to express themselves.

Johnny is the founder of Hey Brother, an organization that helps young men rethink masculinity and break away from toxic norms. David is a language arts teacher at Oberlin High School. Together, through mentorship programs, they encourage boys to embrace a healthier view of masculinity.

"You're hearing from people who look and sound like they got it all together. It's pain layered on pain that's there. We're just trying to offer a more loving way to move forward," said David.  

A group of dads write letters to people seeking father figures in their lives.

Rosie Paulik has grown up receiving countless handwritten letters from her father, Buz Ecker. He writes one letter a day to his three kids. And now, Buz is writing letters to people around the world.

Filled with heartfelt advice and a few dad jokes, Buz’s letters bring comfort to many. His project has grown significantly within just a few months!

The Dad Letter Project connects men who write letters to people seeking support from a father figure.

“People wanted to hear from a dad. They wanted to hear from a father figure. I'm honored that people have opened up to me and I'm able to help them,” said Buz.