Oklahoman Hopes To Inspire With Success Story Of Overcoming Homelessness

A local college student, who lived in a car with her family at 10 years old, is sharing her success story after she overcame homelessness.

Friday, December 10th 2010, 5:36 pm

By: News 9


Jacqueline Sit, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – A local college student, who lived in a car with her family at 10 years old, is sharing her success story after she overcame homelessness

Ashley Peters has a successful career and was crowned Miss Black UCO this year, but not long ago she was homeless. Peters credits a local organization with keeping her spirits high during rough times.

Peters volunteers at Positive Tomorrows, a school that educates homeless children, and she used to be one of them.

Peters and her family became homeless after a domestic abuse situation forced them to live in a car, then a homeless shelter but her mother worked countless hours to support her three kids.

"She made sure we were provided for even when we had to stay in a car. She made sure we ate, had clothes on our back and worked hard to give us best as she could," said Peters.

During her trying years, Peters credits Positive Tomorrows for one of her favorite memories as a child.

"That's when they surprised me with my Walkman on my birthday and saying ‘Happy Birthday!' And that will forever stay in my memory," said Peters. "They made me feel special. They made me feel important and remembered that it was my birthday."

Peters refused to be that girl living in a car and years of hard work turned her into a new homeowner at 24-year-old.

"I refuse to be placed in a box that circumstances have placed me in so I refused to stay there," said Peters.

By sharing her story of homelessness, Peter believes she can instill hope into a child, just as someone did for her 15 years ago.

"I think that for everything there is a reason and God put certain people in certain situations to mold who we're going to be. So I don't think about that if there wasn't this, that wasn't God's plan for me or I wouldn't be here," said Peters.

Peters also placed as first runner up in Miss Black Oklahoma in September.

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