Shelly Gigante: Senior Contributor

In middle school, his best friend’s parents took him in and showed him what it means to be a family.

Hockey player credits his parents, brother, and wife for giving him the strength to pursue his dream.

NHL star's older brother helped mold him and changed his future.

Basketball pro Paul Pierce said his mentor and coach drove his development on and off the court.

A year later, the Texas homeless man who found a family is working and still charming those he meets.

A middle-schooler is using the support he received from a biker group to recast his school life.

The We Dine Together lunch club is now in more than 150 schools as students stand up for one another.

The community that helped their Muslim neighbors rebuild their place of worship celebrates its reopening.

A veteran who lost his sight had to learn to trust his guides to tackle a marathon. Now he’s hooked.

How a disabled marathon runner inspires others and gets his own inspiration.

Genome sequencing has ushered in a new era of medicine and could one day help prevent inherited disease.

College tuition continues to rise so understanding financial aid options is critical.

Higher-income households are more confident, but still worry about the American dream.

An intriguing project shows how financial advisors are focusing on the relationship between humans and money.

How a New York entrepreneur started a trade school for underprivileged women in India.

A third generation Chinese-American builds her family business with commitment to community.

Budgeting and planning tips for a new baby.

Murals and open-air galleries bring people from all walks of life together and energize neighborhoods.

Shelly Gigante