Los Angeles —
Audrey Pearson came from St. Louis “a hopeful person,” to help homeless. What she found shocked her.
Kings Canyon National Park, Calif. — Park Ranger Robert Lewis describes himself as “an optimist who wears body armor.” He has seen both sides of human nature.
Houston — Petra Cervantes came from Mexico to find a better life. It’s been hard, and the latest blow came from Hurricane Harvey. But she stays to rebuild.
Buras, La.– Phong Robert Nguyen fled for his life when South Vietnam fell in 1975. He remade himself here, and watches his sons make other choices.
Inez, Ky. — Thelma Moore spent her life in Appalachia. She tells her grown sons to move away.