HOMELESS TO HARVARD A true story…

Unfit mother…. Lizzie LOVES her mother. Lizzie watches her dad do well at playing JEOPARDY Lizzie’s mother screams, yells and pushes her daughters in order to convince them to give her the $100 to buy DRUGS instead of food. Lizzie felt like her parents paid no attention to Lizzie’s NEEDS

No more to give…. Lizzie thought her homelife was NORMAL as that was all she knew. Lizzie wanted the acceptance of her mother’s SMILE Lizzie is upset by her mother taken away in an AMBULANCE Lizzie’s apartment is not clean; the GIRLS are blamed for it. Lizzie makes excuses for her mother: “she isn’t being mean---she just has no more to GIVE us.”

Lizzie likes actual schoolwork but isn’t accepted at school. Lizzie is bullied at school and told that she SMELLS bad. Lizzie does WELL at tests even when she doesn’t attend often; she learns by reading ENCYCLOPEDIA Lizzie says that because of her body itching, lice, fidgeting, aching, hunger---the teacher’s words never REACH her. School makes Lizzie feel SAD but she is told she must attend or else Child Welfare will be called.

Lizzie’s mom is taken to a PSYCHIATRIC ward (”nut” house) After a couple months, Mom returned, cooked and cleaned for a few weeks before the DRUGS came back. Mom leaves to go live with her DAD [POP] Lizzie chooses not to go along because of the stories of “pop’s” ABUSE [of a sister of Jean’s]

Lizzie is taken to a GROUP home because she doesn’t attend school Lizzie is taken to a GROUP home because she doesn’t attend school. [she stays several years because no one cared] Lizzie moves in with her mom, sister and GRANDPA; she doesn’t want to because of “pop’s” abuse but that is the only way out of the home. Lizzie has some special times with her mother while she’s not on drugs or drinking, re-living MEMORIES ; Mother says “I was a good mom, wasn’t I?” WAS SHE?

Lizzie tries public school but the teacher questions her NAME which makes her uncomfortable. Lizzie was accepted by a new friend when they had a MUD fight. They shared discussions about abusive relationships in both their FAMILIES .

Lizzie moves out because “pop” HITS her and calls her “trash”; she lives on the streets with her friends at age 15 Lizzie still keeps tabs on her mom and takes CARE of her. Even though homeless, Lizzie decided “HOME” is where her MOTHER is.

Lizzie’s dad now lives in a SHELTER as he lost the apartment. Lizzie’s mom dies of A.I.D.S. ; Lizzie says at the cemetery: “This isn’t the real world—we live in each other’s HEARTS ” Mom is buried in section 51 also called the CHARITY plot; no marker on her grave. Her friend stopped to write MOTHER’S NAME on coffin and draw an angel, dates of her life, and ‘beloved mother of…’

“I have to figure out my LIFE; do people do that when they are falling down a deep hole?” “I want to go to school!” Lizzie has to convince a teacher that she should be accepted into an accelerated public high school. “I just need one chance! I knew I had to make a choice---make EXCUSES or push myself!” “I’m smart! I know I can SUCCEED ” “There is a world out there that is better—I want to live in it! “ YOU JUST CHANGED MY LIFE!”

Lizzie had to ask HER DAD for a favor---address, parent signature and phone no. to get into school. Who did Lizzie say this to? “You were the most interesting thing in my world. Because of you, I know there is another way of being.” [ HER DAD ] Lizzie finds out her dad has A.I.D.S She is shocked.

Life’s new order… Lizzie proves her worth when she does 4 years of high school in only 2 years. [day school, night school, after school, before school ]

Top 10 student… Lizzie takes a college visit with her school to HARVARD Lizzie applies for the New York Times SCHOLARSHIP that will pay $12,000 each year the winner is in school. Lizzie had a job where she DID DISHES to support herself.

What were some of the circumstances that lead Lizzie to be homeless? PARENTS’ NEGLECT, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SEXUAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE, PHYSICAL ABUSE IN GROUP HOME,

How was Lizzie able to rise above her circumstances of life…. Never blamed anyone for her problems Always focused inward on herself and her survival mode for every stage of life Looked for solutions Worked hard at becoming educated Did whatever needed to be done! Was PROACTIVE!

Reflect on these statements: Homeless but not hopeless! Obstacles are not here to impede us but to be overcome.

Tell how Lizzie was able to rise above her circumstances of life and become successfully educated. INTELLIGENCE, DETERMINATION TO CHANGE HER LIFE, PERSISTENCE When there was nothing to believe in, she believed in herself.

In what ways does this true story apply to my own life? ANSWER WILL VARY; IDEAS MAY INCLUDE: GOALS, CHOICE TO CHANGE, DETERMINATION TO DO YOUR BEST, CLIMBING OUT OF PROBLEMS TO A BETTER SITUATION