News

Students Hear the Hard Truth about Life on the Streets

Posted in News on November 5th, 2008 with Comments Off

Students and Staff at Focus East heard the first hand stories of a man and woman who have experienced homelessness. Many people in the room were tearful after hearing their stories. Students took away the important lesson that their education is the one thing no one can take from them.

Michelle, a recovering drug addict and former homeless mother shared that it was getting an education that allowed her to turn her life around. She now has her Associates Degree and tours Columbus speaking to young men and women about life choices.

CJ, a homeless man, stressed the importance of making the right decisions. After being released from prison, CJ was forced to live on the streets because no one would hire him with a felony record. He spoke about his struggle to provide for himself and his family because of the wrong decisions he made in life. He encouraged the students to take school very seriously, because without it, life is very hard.

Allison, the Homeless Advocate for Capitol Crossroads, shared her stories of helping those who are homeless in the Columbus Area. She also shared that statistically, minorities have a much higher risk of being homeless and that many tell her that they wish they took life more seriously and had stayed in school because life would be easier with an education. Allison even offered for the students at Focus East to volunteer at an annual holiday dinner for the homeless in December.