"Anyone who does anything to help a child in this life is a hero to me." ~ Fred Rogers.

When asked what they needed while they were in the courtroom, the foster youth of Auberle said "Protection and Freedom." The large birds and strong adults are protecting the child. In Cherokee tradition, a man with a bird on his shoulder is exceptionally wise. The hummingbirds and butterflies symbolize freedom and joy. Mr. Roger's words serve as a reminder of the importance of children and the heroism of any adult who puts their needs first.

"The Fight for Hope"

The mountains are steep, because the journey is hard. Inside the circles are feelings that the young people of Auberle experienced waiting to go into court: The tears overflow in sadness. There is a volcano of anger. The lightning strikes - no one is there and you are all alone. The self is gone, like a shattered mirror and you are lost. Without denying them, the arrow travels through these feelings and points to hope. The birds and flowers are symbols of warmth, liveliness and Nature, which is bigger than the human drama. The young man holds the flowers while another child offers a quiet, colorful landscape for his heart. This is the wish for a peaceful heart.

"There is Always Hope"

The road is paved with gold, holding an intact family that is surrounded by a Nature-dominated city of Pittsburgh. The animals embrace the humans, and, above all, there is a Goodwill truck parked by the golden road. A young man watches.

"Building Strong Families"

This painting grew out of stories by the staff of being at the right place at the right time for the children at Auberle. After sharing these powerful stories, each person created a picture in his or her hand based on the positive difference they had made in the life of a child. Together, the staff made a work of art to re-envision and re-energize their mission.