Ward Family: Erie, Pennsylvania

Clara Ward grew up in poverty, determined to help children avoid the abuse and neglect she suffered as a child. Although her own health is deteriorating from a degenerative muscle disease, she continued to run her non-profit Youth Development and Family Center from her crumbling home. Clara is now confined to a wheelchair, with a son who is legally blind and diabetic - yet she still organizes food and clothing drives, field trips, tutoring, recreation and toy donations for latchkey children. The Erie community has joined United Rentals and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" in building Clara and her family an accessible new home and Center so that she can continue the work she loves.