CIS_2015-2016_Annual_Report

Snapshot: CIS Alumni Liyjon DeSilva
Homeless High School Student Earns a Full Ride Scholarship to College
“I wanted to be able to live like a normal kid,” said liyjon. “But
I slept at parks. My favorite was sleeping in parking lots because
I could see the stars in the sky.”
For liyjon’s first three years of high school, he lived on the
streets. With his mother having died when he was five, his father
out of the picture, and other relatives having taken advantage of
his social security benefits, he was abandoned with no money,
no home and no one to care for him. But he still showed up to
class at Wisdom high School, formerly lee high School.
luckily, liyjon would soon find support from Communities In
Schools (CIS). When a friend took liyjon to meet Jessica Smith,
CIS project Manager on campus, she immediately recognized his
intellect and determination at school. however, along with his
potential, liyjon had a world of unmet needs. Jessica found
him resources such as food, clothes, bus passes, toiletries, and
eventually a stable place to stay.
liyjon was wary of CIS’ help in the beginning, "I didn't trust
her (Ms. Smith) at first, but she kept chasing me just trying
to figure out what was going on, and how she could help.
once I finally opened up to her, things started to change for the
better."
Jessica agrees, "once he (liyjon) was able to recollect himself,
he began to blossom. he didn't have to worry about his safety
and was able to sleep and eat in a warm environment. he was
finally able to be a normal teenager."
With Jessica’s help, liyjon applied for colleges in his senior
year and began to plan for a brighter future that did not involve
living on the streets. he took the SAT and scored among the top
of his class! Along with his 3.67 GpA, which put him in the top 5%
of his class, a teacher nominated him for the posse Foundation
Scholarship, which could earn him a full-ride to Carleton College,
a small liberal arts college in the northwest.
With the scholarship looming as a possibility, Jessica helped
liyjon complete the forms and paperwork, meet deadlines, shop
for interview clothes, and drove him to interviews. liyjon said,
“Without Ms. Smith, I would have never accepted help from
anybody. everyone needs help, everyone needs love. She’s been
like a mother figure to me.”
All of liyjon’s hard work and perseverance paid off. he won
a full scholarship to Carleton College from the posse Foundation.
liyjon said, “CIS was very instrumental in turning my life around…
once I won the scholarship, I truly realized I can do this. My
impossible turned into 'I'm possible.'"
After spending the summer interning at CIS’ central office,
liyjon is now off to a positive start as a freshman at Carleton
College in northfield, Minnesota.
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