Some stories come full circle. For the Pistorius family, that circle includes Cunningham Children’s Home.
Their connection began long ago. Their parents, Jim and Jean, were longtime advocates for Cunningham, and Jean later served on our Board of Directors. Their sister, Susan, attended the University of Illinois, completed an internship at Cunningham and eventually returned as a staff member. It was here that she met her husband, Brian, who was serving through a mission with his church.
And then there was Michael.
Michael and his brother, David, were adopted into the same family near Decatur—David at age 5 and Michael at age 4. They grew up together, but Michael sometimes struggled to feel that he belonged, particularly in large groups. David remembers that Michael came alive when he had the opportunity to connect with someone one-on-one.
“He was very good with people one-on-one,” David recalled. “That’s when he was most comfortable.”
In the 1970s, Michael spent time at Cunningham. His stay was not long, but its impact stayed with him. Here, Michael found something he needed deeply: acceptance.
“He was accepted,” David said. “Nobody judged him.”
Being around others facing their own challenges helped Michael realize he wasn’t alone. He also discovered opportunities to express himself creatively and explore his artistic side.
“He saw other folks going through some of the same struggles he had,” David said. “It gave him confidence to overcome some of the things he was dealing with.”
Eventually, Michael moved out and lived independently—a milestone David believes was made possible, in part, by the confidence and acceptance he found at Cunningham.
Years later, after their parents passed away, David and Susan inherited a farm. When part of the property was sold, they began considering what to do with a portion of the proceeds. If Michael had been alive, he would have shared that inheritance. Instead, David and Susan chose to honor his memory by turning it into something that could live on.
Susan, David and his wife Teresa discussed several ideas but couldn’t decide. The answer came to David one night.
“In the middle of the night, it came to me that Cunningham was the place that this money needed to go,” he said. “From that point on, I felt it was a God thing.”
That moment led to a gift from David and Susan establishing the Michael D. Pistorius Youth Experience Fund—a gift rooted in love and belief.
“Michael deserves it,” David said. “He had a tough life, and I think he deserves this and gets all the credit for how it will be able to help many others. I am so proud of Michael. He overcame an awful lot and he persevered through it. I just think that he will inspire others because he certainly inspired me.”
At the heart of Michael’s legacy is a simple idea: experiences matter. They can open doors, build confidence, reveal talents and create connections. Sometimes, a single experience can change the way a young person sees themselves and what they believe is possible.
“Experiences are what mold us and make us who we are,” David said.
The Michael D. Pistorius Youth Experience Fund will help Cunningham youth experience opportunities they may not otherwise have—including music, photography and visual arts, creative workshops, cultural events, community outings, summer activities, animal-assisted experiences and more.
But the goal is bigger than an activity or an afternoon away. It is about discovery. David hopes each young person will find something that speaks to them—something that brings joy, builds confidence or simply gives them the chance to experience life beyond their circumstances.
“Everyone is different,” he said. “With a variety of experiences to be offered, our hope is that everyone will find something to latch onto.”
Michael knew what it felt like to wonder where he belonged. At Cunningham, he found acceptance, connection and opportunities that helped him move forward. Now, decades later, his story and this fund can help provide those same opportunities to generations of young people.
A young person may discover a love of art. Another may find confidence through music. Someone else may experience the simple joy of trying something new. And perhaps, in one of those moments, they will begin to see themselves differently, begin to believe and begin to hope.
That will be Michael’s legacy.
Will you help carry Michael’s story forward? A gift to the Michael D. Pistorius Youth Experience Fund can help provide meaningful experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence and help young people see what is possible for their lives. Because sometimes, one experience can change everything, and the impact of one life can reach far beyond its years.