The Promise continues to make a difference

In response to Brian O’Neill’s column on The Pittsburgh Promise (Feb. 1, “The Pittsburgh Promise, Forever Bending”): I am a middle-class parent with children in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and the consideration of college tuition does indeed bring with it a level of concern. My assumption is that I am not alone in this feeling and that there are parents out there, perhaps Mr. O’Neill included, for whom the trepidation of their children being able to further their education after high school is real. I am grateful for any financial aid that my childrenmay receive.

There are those in our fine city for whom an equal and excellent education is nothing more than a laugh at worst, a fanciful hope at best. For those kids I am encouraged to know there are a handful of people sitting in the Hill District fighting every day to tell those kids, “Don’t give up. Keep hope alive. Do your best and we’ll try to do our best to help,” and more so, as there are many who give generouslyto support The Promise.

I, for one, am willing to stay in a city that is trying to make a profound difference for the future of its young people and by extension the city itself. Though I may not always be the direct recipient of these efforts, I greatly benefit from being a part of a community that would dare greatly toward such a bold promise. KELLY JACKSON Observatory Hill of registered Democrats in one’s district (to be obtained from Feb. 13 until March 6) are required to get on the ballot. The positions are often noncontested. The local Democratic committees work on raising awareness of elections, getting out the vote and voting on primary endorsements and sometimes special elections to determine the Democratic Party candidates.

The committee is a great opportunity to meet politically minded people including candidates for local, state and national office. For more information, you may call the Allegheny County Democratic Committee at 412-481-5646 or go to its website. ED WRENN Point Breeze

I thank Rachel Walton for her Forum article depicting the dignity and serenity of the Forbes Hospice unit (Feb. 4, “Thank You, Forbes Hospice, for Being There”). My mom was there for five days in September 2016, and it felt as if she were in a holding area, en route to heaven. I was privileged to witness the beauty of the extremely painful yet natural transformation. The staff, the environment, the white flowers placed at her bedside daily, all contributed to the peace that was experienced there. I was greatly disheartened that many will no longer have such a powerful and sensitive option.

Deep gratitude to Ms. Walton and every nurse, staff member andvolunteer, who witness life’s

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ending daily, and for doing it with compassion and empathy. You are indeed angels on Earth. LUGENE CALDERONE

Upper St. Clair

From a senior to millennials: Much negativity has been bestowed upon your generation from mine. I’m 65 years old and retired from naval nuclear research. After watching, via my tablet, the Feb. 6 launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, I made an observation: Every person in the launch status room appeared to be 35 years old or younger. Every ethnic and mixed racial group was represented. Proportionate numbers of the sexes appeared as well to compose this cohesive team.

Go forth boldly as one unified workforce. Fill my remaining days with accomplishments I can’t even imagine! T.J. STEFANIC

Munhall