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I was kicked out of my own house when I was 16. I had no money, no plan, no place to live. Today, I’m supporting myself and putting myself through college with jobs, grants and scholarships. I’m a shift leader at the Portland Downtown Ben and Jerry’s, which operates in partnership with New Avenues to train homeless youth for the job market. I’m also on the Commission on Children, Families and Community's board, the Multnomah Youth Commission, and the Poverty Advisory Committee.

I owe my survival and success to some very special people. One is my older sister, Willow, who is one of the most influential people in my life because of all the love, respect and advice she gives me. I was also supported by the community at Cleveland High School where I never missed a day, not even when I was homeless. I loved it there, it was diverse and everybody knew me. At Cleveland I was also helped a lot by Bonnie Acker, my counselor who is very understanding, not judgmental and just gets it.

I’m kind of scared that I won’t be able to make it on my own. But it makes a big difference knowing I have so many people who support me and care about me.