Octavia’s Road to Success

Octavia Lawson graduated from Encina High School in May 2008. She attended Encina for all four years.

Some of her accolades include:

• Honor student all four years
• Graduate of Avid program (college prepatory program…participated all four
years)
• Basketball and Volleyball scholar athlete (sophomore and junior year)
• All League honors-Basketball and Volleyball, player for all four years
• Encina High School Athlete of the Year
• Received three academic scholarships

Octavia came in contact with Wind in October 2007. The vice principal at Encina
contacted Uylous (Case Manager) and Tasha (Associate Executive Director) due to concerns re: Octavia’s “hunger” issues and unstable housing situation. Ulyous and Tasha (WIND staff) went to Encina to meet Octavia, complete an intake, and explain the Wind program.

Octavia and her mother have been chronically homeless throughout her high school years. Her mother suffers from severe mental health issues. During Octavia’s sophomore year her mother abruptly left town leaving Octavia with a father she hardly knew. After just a few months, he kicked her out. Octavia began staying with various friends and family members (couch surfing). When Wind staff made their first contact with Octavia she was staying with her father’s ex-girlfriend who didn’t have enough food or space for everyone in the house.

We encouraged Octavia to enter our Shelter. She explained to us that she had a hard time trusting new people and wanted to stay with her father’s ex-girlfriend as long as she could. We knew it was only a matter of time until Octavia would have to leave, and so we focused on providing support for her outside of the Shelter and also building the trust she would need in order to feel comfortable entering the Shelter.

Wind began providing weekly food boxes for Octavia and worked with her to develop a safety plan in case of a crisis. Soon after, her unstable living situation once again fell apart. Octavia utilized her safety plan by contacting Tasha and was immediately picked up and transported to the Wind Shelter.

WIND has served as an “Island of Stability” for Octavia. She has been able to be a kid and experience life as a high school senior, attending homecoming, senior ball, scholarship banquets, award ceremonies, participating in extra curricular activities, etc. while receiving Case Management and many other supports (including financial) she will need to transition into college life and adulthood

Because of her exceptional academic record Octavia is eligible to attend any college in the nation and was accepted to several universities. Being that she is only 17 years old and continues to require a lot of support, Octavia has decided to attend California State University, Sacramento. In July, Octavia and her Wind Case Manager, Christine, attended her Sac State orientation. Christine has worked very hard to make Octavia’s transition into college as smooth as possible (it hasn’t been easy!) dealing with financial aid, scholarship applications, college applications, etc., etc., etc.

Octavia continues to reside in the Wind Shelter with hopes of living on campus as soon as possible. Unfortunately Octavia’s financial aid and scholarships will not cover her housing. She will continue to reside at the Wind Shelter until we can locate an appropriate, safe, affordable housing situation for her. Wind will continue to support Octavia while she pursues her dream of completing college.