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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.

Paul Abernathy, Serving The Hill District With FOCUS

90.5 WESA | By 90.5 WESA

Published October 24, 2014 at 3:30 AM EDT

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

What looks like an ordinary thrift shop on Centre Avenue in the Hill District is so much more. It’s called FOCUS, the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve.

It also stands for Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding and Shelter, which are many things the people of this community need desperately.

When Paul Abernathy graduated from the seminary four years ago, he knew where he needed to be and who needed his help: the people living in the Hill District. He moved there, spent countless hours raising money to open FOCUS, which under his tutelage, serves the community in a multitude of ways.