Homeless in High School

When I was 15 years old my mom and I moved to Chattanooga from Cincinnati, Ohio because my biological father had become abusive, and it was time to leave.  My mom thought she had a job transfer lined up, but it fell through after we arrived so she looked for a job while we stayed in a hotel. When the money ran out we ended up at Chattanooga Room in the Inn.

My 9^thgrade friends didn’t know I was homeless.  I was pretty quiet after all that had happened. I met a girl in my Biology class, the other quiet girl, and started talking to her. When I told her I was homeless she was shocked! We’ve been best friends ever since.

After a few weeks at CRITI my mom found a job. Being homeless was really motivating for me. It made me want to push harder, not only for me but for my mom. I knew how hard she worked.”

In high school I participated in the Outward Bound program, got good grades and graduated Valedictorian! Then I received a full scholarship to Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC. During college I had the opportunity to study abroad and went to China. I volunteered to work with autistic kids while I was there. My major was Business Administration – International Business and I graduated cum laude in May 2015 with a 3.5 GPA.

I love helping people, especially women, and I am a volunteer at Room in the Inn.

You know what CRITI does?  It gives women hope!  With a secure place to go, a safe haven, this helps overcome abusive relationships where a woman might feel she needs a man – any man — in her life for financial stability and a roof over her head.  That’s how women end up in something horrible like sex trafficking. The people supporting CRITI are making a difference in the world without knowing how far reaching it really is.  Thank you for helping.