Wings To Neverland

Celebrating 80 Years of Magic: A Chance In Life’s Annual Gala

In this special episode, Peter and Wendy take us behind the scenes of A Chance In Life’s 80th Anniversary Gala—a magical evening inspired by L’Isola che non c’è, or Neverland, “the island that doesn’t exist.” Together, they reflect on how this theme captures the heart of A Chance In Life’s mission: guiding vulnerable young people toward a world of care, opportunity, and hope. Listeners will relive the celebration’s most inspiring moments, hear stories of impact shared from program graduates, and discover how the work of Gala honorees Dr. Joseph Conte, Judy Viera, Dan DiSano, Leila McKenzie-Delis, and Leo Rocco reflects the very essence of empowerment that defines A Chance In Life. It’s a heartfelt journey through eighty years of impact—spanning 14 countries and thousands of young lives transformed. So fasten your seatbelts and join Peter and Wendy as they celebrate this milestone moment, honor the dreamers and doers who make it possible, and remind us all that with belief and compassion, even “the island that doesn’t exist” can become a home for hope.

Back To School Around The World

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. ✨

Zero Hunger to Climate Action: The SDGs in Focus

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.🌍✨

Exploring Positive Youth Development

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!

India – 12 Things You (Possibly) Didn't Know

In this vibrant episode of Wings to Neverland, Peter and Wendy take you on an unforgettable journey through India—the land of festivals, sacred rodents, twin villages, and 1.4 billion stories. This is the second stop in our ongoing series, “12 Things You (Possibly) Didn’t Know About…”, where we explore the wild, wonderful, and little-known facts about the countries where A Chance In Life works. Did you know India has a floating post office? Or a road where cars appear to roll uphill? Or a village with an unusually high number of twins—and no one knows why? From ancient cities and democratic superpowers to vegetarian megatrends, gravity-defying hills, and the birthplace of both chess and sugar, this episode is packed with surprises that will have you laughing, marveling, and possibly Googling “Magnetic Hill” by the end. But beyond the fun facts and fantastical stories lies a deeper truth: India is home to millions of children growing up in poverty, many without access to education or basic safety. That’s where A Chance In Life comes in—and why this episode introduces us to Binoj, a boy from Kerala whose transformation from a withdrawn five-year-old to a confident youth leader will leave you inspired. Through the incredible support of Savio Home—one of our local partner programs in India—Binoj found not just education, but healing, confidence, and the chance to become a mentor for others. His journey is a powerful reminder of what happens when you invest in a child’s full potential. So whether you’re sipping chai or dodging traffic, this episode is for you. It’s a celebration of culture, resilience, and the quiet magic of opportunity. Second star to the right… and straight on till Kerala.