FROM HOMELESS TO HARVARD

FROM HOMELESS TO HARVARD

• Introduction: Provide an overview of the story of Liz Murray, who went from being homeless to attending Harvard University.

• Early Life: Describe Liz's childhood and upbringing, including her parents' struggles with drug addiction and homelessness.

• Homelessness: Discuss Liz's experiences living on the streets of New York City and how she survived without a home or stable family life.

• Education: Explain how Liz's love of learning helped her excel academically, despite the challenges she faced at home and in school.

• Turning Point: Detail the events that led Liz to make the decision to turn her life around and focus on her education.

• High School Years: Describe Liz's experiences in high school, including how she managed to maintain her grades while dealing with the challenges of being homeless.

• College Application Process: Explain the steps Liz took to apply to college and the obstacles she faced in the process.

• Harvard Acceptance: Discuss Liz's reaction to being accepted to Harvard and how she felt about leaving her old life behind.

• Life after Harvard: Describe Liz's life after graduating from Harvard, including her career and advocacy work.

• Lessons Learned: Summarize the key lessons that can be learned from Liz's story, including the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the value of education in overcoming adversity.

INTRODUCTION:

Liz Murray's story is one of incredible resilience and determination. Born to parents who struggled with drug addiction and homelessness, Liz was forced to grow up quickly and learn to survive on the streets of New York City. Despite the challenges she faced, Liz remained committed to her education and eventually went on to attend Harvard University, becoming an inspiration to people around the world. In this article, we will explore Liz's journey from homelessness to Harvard, including the obstacles she faced along the way and the lessons that can be learned from her remarkable story.

EARLY LIFE:

Liz Murray was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1980. Her parents struggled with drug addiction and were in and out of jail, leaving Liz and her older sister, Lisa, to fend for themselves from a young age. The family frequently moved from place to place, and often lived in homeless shelters or on the streets.

Liz's mother suffered from HIV and AIDS, and eventually passed away when Liz was just 15 years old. Her father continued to struggle with addiction and was eventually evicted from their apartment. Liz was left with no other choice but to leave home and live on the streets.

Despite these difficult circumstances, Liz remained committed to her education. She attended a school for gifted and talented students and excelled academically, earning high grades and awards for her achievements. However, her home life continued to be unstable, and Liz often had to study in public places or on the subway.

Liz's experiences during her early life were marked by extreme poverty and instability. However, her love of learning and her determination to succeed helped her to persevere through these challenges and set her on the path to a brighter future.

HOMELESSNESS:

After leaving home at the age of 15, Liz Murray was homeless for nearly two years. She lived on the streets of New York City, sometimes sleeping on park benches or riding the subway all night to stay warm. She relied on soup kitchens and other charities for her meals, and sometimes resorted to stealing food to survive.

Living on the streets was incredibly difficult, and Liz faced numerous dangers and challenges. She was often the victim of violence or harassment, and struggled with health issues due to poor living conditions. However, she remained determined to continue her education and pursue a better life for herself.

During this time, Liz developed a close bond with other homeless youth, forming a kind of makeshift family with others who were in similar circumstances. They would often band together to support each other and find ways to survive on the streets.

Despite the many challenges she faced, Liz never lost hope. She continued to study whenever she could, often reading books and doing homework by the light of street lamps. Her experiences of homelessness gave her a unique perspective on life and the world, and ultimately helped to shape her into the person she is today.

EDUCATION:

Education was always a top priority for Liz Murray, even during her years of homelessness. Despite the difficult circumstances she faced, she remained committed to her studies and pursued her education whenever possible.

While living on the streets, Liz often found quiet places to read and study, including libraries and coffee shops. She also took advantage of any educational opportunities available to her, including attending GED classes and participating in a program for homeless youth that provided academic support.

Liz's dedication to her education paid off, and she excelled academically throughout her high school years. She earned high grades and was eventually accepted into the Humanities Preparatory Academy, a prestigious school for gifted and talented students in New York City.

Despite the challenges of attending school while homeless, Liz remained committed to her education and her future. She knew that her education would be her ticket to a better life and was determined to make the most of the opportunities available to her.

Liz's love of learning and her dedication to her education ultimately paved the way for her to attend Harvard University, a dream she had held since she was a child. Her story is a powerful example of the transformative power of education and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams, even in the face of extreme adversity.

TURNING POINT:

The turning point in Liz Murray's life came when she was 17 years old and her mother passed away. Although her relationship with her mother was complicated, her mother's death left Liz feeling lost and alone. It was then that Liz realized that she needed to take control of her life and make a change.

Liz began to focus even more on her education and her future, and made the decision to attend college. She applied to several schools, including Harvard, and was eventually accepted to all of them. This was a major turning point in her life, as it gave her a sense of purpose and direction.

With her acceptance to college, Liz knew that she had to leave behind her old life on the streets and start anew. She moved into a shelter for homeless youth, where she continued to study and prepare for college. It was a difficult transition, but Liz remained determined to make the most of her new opportunities.

The turning point in Liz's life was a moment of clarity and self-realization. It was a moment when she realized that she had the power to change her life and create a better future for herself. This realization gave her the strength and motivation she needed to pursue her dreams and achieve her goals, no matter how difficult the journey might be.

HIGH SCHOOL YEARS:

Liz Murray's high school years were marked by both academic success and extreme hardship. Despite being homeless and living on the streets of New York City, Liz was determined to excel in school and pursue her education.

Liz attended the Humanities Preparatory Academy, a prestigious school for gifted and talented students in New York City. She quickly became known as a top student, earning high grades and receiving recognition for her achievements.

However, Liz's home life remained unstable, and she continued to face significant challenges as a result of her homelessness. She often had to study in public places or on the subway, and sometimes had to miss school altogether due to lack of sleep or illness.

Despite these difficulties, Liz remained dedicated to her education and was determined to succeed. She took advantage of any opportunities available to her, including attending GED classes and participating in a program for homeless youth that provided academic support.

Liz's high school years were a time of great growth and resilience. Despite the many obstacles she faced, she remained focused on her goals and committed to creating a better future for herself. Her determination and hard work ultimately paid off, and paved the way for her to attend college and achieve her dreams.

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS:

The college application process was a major challenge for Liz Murray, given her background of homelessness and lack of access to resources. However, she was determined to pursue her dream of attending college, and worked tirelessly to overcome the obstacles in her path.

Liz started the college application process by taking the SAT and ACT exams, despite having little access to formal test preparation. She also sought out mentors and counsellors who could help her navigate the complex application process.

Liz applied to several top-tier universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Brown. She wrote essays that highlighted her experiences of homelessness and the obstacles she had overcome, as well as her academic achievements and future goals.

Despite her impressive credentials, Liz faced significant challenges in the application process. For example, she had to request letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors who knew little about her personal circumstances or background.

Ultimately, Liz was accepted to all of the schools she applied to, including Harvard University, her dream school. Her acceptance to Harvard was a major accomplishment, and a testament to her hard work, dedication, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Liz's story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of significant challenges, it is possible to achieve one's dreams with determination, perseverance, and the support of others.

HARVARD ACCEPTANCE:

Liz Murray's acceptance to Harvard University was a transformative moment in her life. It was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the face of immense adversity.

When Liz received her acceptance letter from Harvard, she was overjoyed and filled with a sense of accomplishment. She knew that attending Harvard would be an incredible opportunity, and a chance to further her education and create a better future for herself.

However, attending Harvard was not without its challenges. Liz had to adjust to a new environment and a rigorous academic program, while also navigating the social and cultural differences that come with attending an Ivy League university.

Despite these challenges, Liz thrived at Harvard. She earned top grades and became involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Harvard Homeless Shelter, which provided support to homeless individuals in the Cambridge area.

Liz's experience at Harvard was transformative, not only because of the opportunities it provided, but also because of the sense of belonging and community she found there. She felt accepted and valued for who she was, regardless of her background or circumstances.

Liz's acceptance to Harvard was a powerful example of how education can be a transformative force, providing opportunities and opening doors to new possibilities. Her story is a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and the support of others, it is possible to achieve even the most seemingly impossible dreams.

LIFE AFTER HARVARD:

After graduating from Harvard, Liz Murray's life continued to be marked by her commitment to helping others and her dedication to pursuing her dreams.

Following her graduation, Liz worked as a teacher in the Bronx, where she used her experiences to help inspire and motivate her students. She also became a motivational speaker, sharing her story and advocating for education and social justice issues.

Liz's story gained widespread recognition when her memoir, "Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard," was published in 2010. The book was a bestseller, and Liz became a sought-after speaker and commentator on issues related to homelessness, education, and poverty.

In addition to her speaking engagements and writing, Liz also founded the Liz Murray Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to homeless and low-income students pursuing higher education. The fund has helped countless students overcome financial barriers and pursue their dreams of a college education.

Liz's work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the White House "Project's Role Model Award" and Oprah Winfrey's "Chutzpah Award." She has also been featured in several documentaries, including "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story."

Liz's life after Harvard is a testament to her commitment to using her experiences to make a positive impact on the world. Her work has inspired countless individuals and organizations to take action and create change in their communities.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Liz Murray's life journey offers several valuable lessons for all of us:

• Perseverance and determination: Liz's story is a powerful example of the power of perseverance and determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles and challenges, she refused to give up on her dreams and worked tirelessly to achieve them.

• Education is transformative: Education was the key that unlocked the doors to Liz's success. Her commitment to learning, despite her difficult circumstances, allowed her to achieve her dreams and make a positive impact on the world.

• Support from others is crucial: Liz's success was not achieved alone. She had the support of her mother, mentors, and others who believed in her and helped her along the way. This is a powerful reminder that we all need support from others to achieve our goals.

• Every person has value: Liz's story is a reminder that every person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has value and potential. She was able to overcome the stigma and stereotypes associated with homelessness and become an inspiration to others.

• Giving back is important: Liz's commitment to giving back and helping others is a testament to the power of generosity and kindness. Her work has inspired countless others to give back to their communities and make a positive impact on the world.

• Overall, Liz's story is a reminder that with hard work, determination, and the support of others, anything is possible. Her life journey serves as an inspiration to us all to pursue our dreams, help others, and make the world a better place.