On July 31, 2008, author Alex Kotlowitz joined CCH when it awarded $2,000
college scholarships to six Chicago teenagers who succeeded in school
despite facing homelessness. The scholarship winners include
Jermaine McClung, featured in CCH's fall mail appeal.

Four of the winners had to live on their own, without family, while finishing high school.

“Despite very difficult circumstances, these students show personal
strength and focus as they pursue an education and meaningful careers,”
said Patricia Nix-Hodes, a 1992 DePaul law alumna and associate
director of the Law Project at CCH.

The Law Project focuses its casework on helping homeless children and
teens access public schools in Chicago and the suburbs. Twelve $2,000
scholarships and four $1,000 renewal grants have been awarded since the
Law Project created the scholarship program in 2004.

Until this summer, CCH scholarships were funded solely by private
individuals. The Osa Foundation has generously offered a $6,000 grant.
CCH became a program affiliate of Illinois Dollars for Scholars, which
offered a $4,500 matching grant. Elaine’s Hope has also offered a
$10,000 challenge grant for gifts from new donors to the program.

Crystal Montañez is one of the 2008 Chicago Public Schools graduates who won a scholarship.

Crystal became homeless her junior year at Lane Tech High School, 2501
W. Addison St. She now shares an apartment with a roommate, working 20
hours a week at Target to pay rent. While in school Crystal also lived
doubled-up with friends – commuting to Lane Tech from as far away as
Cicero – or in her car.

“It was hard for me to finish homework late because my car did not have much light,” Crystal said.

Crystal hopes to become an immunologist, working for Doctors Without
Borders or the World Health Organization. She will attend the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she plans to major in medical
microbiology and immunology.

Jermaine McClung, who was also honored, plans to earn a bachelor’s
degree in business or electrical engineering, starting at Parkland
Community College in Champaign, Ill. Doubled-up with friends and
relatives after his family had to move out of the Robert Taylor Homes,
Jermaine traveled 90 minutes each way on the CTA to attend Dunbar High
School, 3000 S. King Dr.

Jermaine’s counselor wrote to CCH, “Throughout his high school years,
he has led by example, treating teachers and administrators with
respect and balancing academic success with a part-time job working for
the Chicago Cubs.”

Eventually, Jermaine wants to own a business and help his family find a stable home.

“I want to do something positive,” Jermaine said. “I want to become a black leader.”

Sheana Frazier became homeless when her grandmother’s apartment – where
she and her mother lived doubled-up – was destroyed in a fire. Sheana
had to jump from a second-story window to escape the blaze. Since her
grandmother became sick this spring, Sheana has stepped up to care for
her.

A single mother of one, Sheana plans to study nursing, starting at
Malcolm X College. “She craves knowledge, discussion and personal
growth and comes to class prepared every day to find it,” Sheana’s
English teacher wrote. “She will succeed in anything she does and
anywhere she goes.”

Also winning a scholarship is Jasmine Edwards of Prosser Career
Academy, 2148 N. Long Ave. Homeless and on her own since she was 16,
Jasmine worked full-time at Wal-Mart to pay her bills.

Jasmine plans to major in broadcast journalism at East-West University, and dreams of being a TV anchorwoman.

“It means a lot to me to do something other than Wal-Mart,” Jasmine
said. “I went this far and I’m not going to stop until I achieve what I
want to achieve.”

Leroy Kirk became homeless as a junior in high school, when his older
sister kicked him out, unable to accept him as a young gay man. Leroy’s
father died when he was four, and his mother died when he was 13.

After finding a bed at the Open Door Shelter for homeless youth, 1110
N. Noble St., Leroy finished high school at Jane Addams Alternative
School, 1814 S. Union Ave. LeRoy is a member of a weekly youth group
co-run by the CCH youth attorney and The Night Ministry.

Leroy will study business at Truman College, with hopes of later
transfering to DePaul. Leroy dreams of owning and operating a shopping
mall, and hopes to mentor other gay youth interested in business when
he becomes successful.

“Although my course of life was set off track, that doesn’t mean everyone else deserves that,” Leroy said.

Chanel Breathett plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in architecture, eventually working toward a PhD.

“I like seeing my art work come to life,” Chanel said.

Before graduating from Dyett High School, 555 E. 51 St., Chanel
attended four different high schools in Chicago and Michigan City, Ind.
After her mother died, she stayed with relatives and had to move
frequently. Once she turned 18, she struggled to complete her final
semester, doubled-up with different friends from week to week.

An active member of the Poetry Club and Peer Jury, Chanel credits her late mother with inspiring her to attend college.

“She wasn’t the best mother,” Chanel said, “But when she was around she
would tell me, ‘You can do it! You could go to Howard, or to Spelman.’”

Chanel has chosen to attend Southern University and A & M College in Alabama.

CCH will bestow $100 honorable mention awards to two other promising
students who secured scholarships from their chosen schools: Bridget
Starling (Benedict College, South Carolina) and Lisa Ivy (University of
Illinois-Champaign) Also, $1,000 renewal grants will be given to a
group of previous winners who are finishing their degrees, including
Shunika Brown (U. of I.), Brandon Dunlap (Kendall College), Pierre
Lewis (Northern Illinois University), and Lorenzo Rowell (Chicago State
University).

To learn more about Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Scholarship
winners, visit our Voices of Hope podcast center, where you can isten
to interviews with Bryan Riddle, Kianca Fincher, and Kieara Keys, all
of whom were 2007 scholarship recipients.

Check out Chicago Public Radio's feature story on scholarship winner Jasmine Edwards here.