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90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making A Difference

Western Pennsylvania has a strong tradition of neighborhood, personal and community commitment. Our pride in pulling together goes far beyond supporting our deep-rooted sports teams. 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference honors the individuals that are making a difference in people's lives on the ground level and reminding us we are all truly a part of each other's lives.This special series, supported by UPMC, will highlight, honor and celebrate Western Pennsylvanians who are unsung heroes daring to make a difference to others in our community.00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770c8000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770ca000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cc000090.5 WESA PA listening area counties:Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler, Armstrong, Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Fayette, Indiana00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cd0000This project is made possible by a generous contribution from UPMC.

Alan and Diana Williams, Opening Their Home And Their Hearts

90.5 WESA | By 90.5 WESA

Published May 23, 2014 at 10:22 AM EDT

Read and listen to a story about Alan and Diana Williams as part of a series honoring the individuals who make a difference in people’s lives: 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference.

For almost 40 years, Alan and his wife Diana have been opening their hearts and their loving home to almost 40 foster children.

Some of these children are just a few days old, mostly babies and toddlers, and occasionally a teenager. Depending on the situation, some stayed for a few days, others for weeks, months or a year, and many at one time.

It began in the early 1970s when they were living in Rhode Island and Alan read an article about fostering.

“At the end, it ended with, ‘Do you like the idea of a child in a group of eight in an institution, or would you like the idea of a child in a loving home?’” Alan said.