Inspiring artwork adorns the walls of the Bradley Center in Robinson, a residential treatment facility for children with mental, emotional and behavioral problems.

"You can have anything you want if you give up the belief you can't have it," says a colorful butterfly imprint composed by Jimmy, a resident.

"Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost," wrote Brittany on her butterfly creation.

Ninety-six children, ages 6 to 18, reside in the Bradley Center, which was founded in Oakmont in 1905 as an orphanage. Many of the children are there for treatment of afflictions that arose from neglect and abuse. Some have been abandoned altogether by their parents.

"By the time they get to us, they've been pretty traumatized. They've been bounced all over the place. It's amazing how resilient they are, how they bounce back," said Lisa Fox, the center's chief executive officer.

Bradley Center children attend school on the grounds and undergo therapy that includes art, music, sports and gardening. The center opened a Therapeutic Education and Activity Center, which includes a basketball court and climbing wall, in September.

Most children will spend 10 to 12 months in therapy at the center before returning to their biological or adoptive parents.

"That's our goal. We want our kids to be back with their families," Ms. Fox said.

Life at the center can be traumatic for the children, who come from all over Pennsylvania and from Ohio and West Virginia. "They are away from their families, away from their communities. They show up at our door with a paper bag or a plastic bag with their life's possessions in it," she said.

Thanks in part to generous Pittsburgh Post-Gazette readers, the children at Bradley Center will have a brighter Christmas.

The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, which is supported by the Goodfellows Toy Fund, will provide toys for each of the residents to open on Christmas morning. That effort will be augmented by the generosity of businesses, churches and people who donate time, money and other assistance to the center.

The Goodfellows Toy Fund was created in 1947 to ensure that children in struggling families are able to experience the joy of Christmas. The fund's goal is that every child has gifts to open on Christmas morning.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to Goodfellows by using the coupon accompanying this article, or online at www.post-gazette.com/pgcharities. Each donation will be acknowledged in the newspaper.

Bradley Center is one of more than 120 social service agencies that will distribute toys to needy children this holiday season.

The young residents have affixed their Christmas wishes -- art supplies, Star Wars Legos, Ben 10 trucks, Steelers jerseys and basketball shoes -- to an angel tree in the center's cafeteria.

"Toys for Tots really helps us to make these dreams come true for these kids," said Karen Zimmerman, the center's community relations coordinator.

"For some of them, it's the best Christmas they've ever had," said Ms. Fox.