In this heartwarming episode of Wings to Neverland, Peter and Wendy explore the many faces of back-to-school season and how it shapes children’s futures across the globe.

They begin in Staten Island, New York, where A Chance In Life’s annual Back to School Distribution ensures hundreds of children step into the classroom with brand-new backpacks, supplies, and—most importantly—the confidence to succeed. From there, they journey to Emdibir, Ethiopia, where girls from rural communities are gaining access to secondary education for the very first time, breaking cycles of poverty and opening doors to leadership and opportunity. Finally, Peter and Wendy take us to Bethlehem, Palestine where students at the Ephpheta School for the Deaf are redefining what “back to school” means as they learn to communicate, connect, and thrive in an inclusive environment built just for them.

Throughout these stories, Peter and Wendy highlight a universal truth: while “back to school” looks different in every community, it always carries the same promise of opportunity and hope.

This episode is a moving reminder that education is more than notebooks and classrooms—it’s the key to unlocking potential, building stronger communities, and creating a future where every child can thrive.

🎧 Tune in to discover how back-to-school season is transforming lives from Staten Island to Ethiopia to Bethlehem—and how each of us can help children everywhere start their school year with confidence and hope. ✨

In this inspiring episode of Wings to Neverland, Peter and Wendy dive into five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Climate Action—and explore how they are shaping a more just and sustainable future for children everywhere.

They share eye-opening stories about communities and programs supported by A Chance In Life, from the soup kitchen at Colegio Sagrada Familia in Venezuela that’s boosting school attendance, to clean water tanks in Uganda that are providing safe drinking water and keeping kids in school. Listeners also meet Viviana, a young woman in Bolivia whose passion for technology flourished thanks to access to digital learning, and hear how girls in Colombia are gaining confidence and dreaming big through gender equity workshops.

Peter and Wendy emphasize how these goals are deeply interconnected, and how poverty, health, education, and climate are all part of the same story. Most importantly, they remind us that small actions—like reducing plastic waste, mentoring girls, or supporting community initiatives—can ripple outward to create meaningful change.

This episode is a hopeful call to action: when we invest in children’s well-being and education and protect our planet, we build a world where everyone has a chance to thrive.

🎧Tune in and discover how you can be part of this global movement—one step, one commitment, and one story at a time.🌍✨

In this inspiring and heartwarming episode of Wings to Neverland, Peter and Wendy dive into the transformative power of Positive Youth Development—a philosophy that believes every young person has the potential to lead, grow, and give back. With stories from A Chance In Life’s global programs and a spotlight on Ivana, a once-shy teen who found her voice through The Youth Leadership Workshop, this episode brings to life what happens when young people are seen not as problems to fix, but as leaders in the making. Rooted in the visionary work of Monsignor Carroll-Abbing, who gave war orphans in post WWII Italy the gift of self government, the conversation explores how trust, mentorship, and opportunity can unlock competence, confidence, connection, character, compassion, and ultimately, contribution. With their signature mix of warmth, insight, and just the right amount of pixie dust, Peter and Wendy show us why youth don’t just need a helping hand—they need a chance. Join us for a journey into purpose, potential, and the ripple effect of believing in young people. Second star to the right… and straight on till transformation!