Leo Argel, Nick Argel, Steven Argel, and Ollie Cantos

Fourteen-year-old triplets Leo, Nick and Steven Argel (above left to right) have been blind since birth. Growing up, their single mother had a hard time caring for them, and she rarely allowed them outside their home.

But when they were 10 years old, Ollie Cantos(above)—another blind man in their community—got word of their situation and knocked on their door. At StoryCorps, the four men talked about growing up with blindness. Ollie begins their conversation.

Ollie is now in the process of formally adopting the brothers.

Originally aired February 21, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Barbara Amaya and Bianca Belteton

When she was 12, Barbara Amaya ran away from an abusive home. She ended up on the streets of Washington D.C. where she was picked up by sex traffickers and forced into prostitution.

At StoryCorps, Barbara spoke with her daughter, Bianca Belteton, about the years that followed.

Originally aired February 7, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Kate Musick and Harleé Patrick, Jose Catalan and Carlos Vizcarra

For students who are struggling, sometimes the difference between success and failure can start when a teacher takes the time to listen.

In these two stories from our National Teacher’s Initiative, teachers go beyond the classroom to help their students.

In 2004, Kate Musick (top left) was teaching third grade at T.C. Walker Elementary school in Gloucester, Virginia. When Harleé Patrick (top right) walked into the room Musick saw a troubled child.

Harleé is now a teenager, and the two came to StoryCorps to talk about how she made it through that year.

The second story comes from Los Angeles, where 19-year-old Jose Catalan (above right), who is studying to become a math teacher, sat down with his former high school teacher Carlos Vizcarra (above left) to talk about how they became friends.

Originally aired April 29, 2012 on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday.

John Hunter, Julianne Swope and Irene Newman

When John Hunter started teaching more than 30 years ago, he wanted to get his students to think about major world issues.

So he invented the World Peace Game. Students are divided into countries, then Hunter gives them a series of global crises — natural disasters, political conflicts — that they solve by collaborating with each other.

Hunter’s classes are remarkably successful at resolving the crises peacefully, a fact made all the more remarkable because his students are in 4th grade.

Hunter recently sat down for StoryCorps with a two former World Peace Game players: 11-year-old Julianne Swope (top photo) and 20-year-old Irene Newman (bottom photo).

Originally aired December 25, 2011 on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday.

Earl Reynolds and his daughter Ashley

Earl Reynolds Jr. tells his daughter, Ashley, about meeting James Brown at his father’s barbershop in Roanoke, Virginia.

Kendall Bailey and his friend Don Davis

Kendall Bailey (R) talks to his friend Don Davis (L) about his dismissal from the U.S. Marines under the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.

Genna Alperin and MJ Seide

MJ met her partner in the early 1990s. Her partner had been married to a man and raised children.

MJ soon embraced her new extended family, especially her granddaughter, 12-year-old Genna Alperin.

MJ tells Genna what happened once she fell in love.

Originally aired February 12, 2010, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Lisa Ray

Lisa Ray remembers her father, Lenoir Ray.

Gregg Korbon and his wife Kathryn

Gregg Korbon and his wife, Kathryn, talk about their son, Brian, who when he was almost 9 years old told his parents he wouldn’t make it to “double digits.” One day while playing in a little league game, he collapsed and died. Today the field where he played his last game is named Brian C. Korbon Field.

Originally aired November 20, 2009, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Lillian Howell and Thomas Howell

Lillian Howell tells her son Thomas about the three-day trip her family took during the Great Depression from Ohio to Virginia to live with her father’s family after he lost his job.

Originally aired October 31, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.