From the Salvation Army to College Dorm

You would likely expect little more from a kid abandoned by an abusive mother and absentee father, and left to raise herself and two sisters on her own, than to be resentful and getting into some trouble of her own. But not Jessica White. She's packing up her things from Saint Barnabus House and heading off to attend Keuka College on a full scholarship.

Despite a lifetime of neglect and less than desirable living conditions, White is rising above her circumstances with the help her solid B-plus average. “I'd been told plenty of times, ‘you're not going to make it to college, you're going to end up pregnant,’ and I set a higher standard for myself,” White told WSYR News 9. A hostile home life made the safety of school all the more appealing, something now to be seen clearly a blessing in disguise.

But perhaps even more remarkable is Jessica's desire to be of service to others, which is why she plans to major in criminal justice. “I've been given so much help from the community, and I believe it’s my turn to give back to the community,” said White. I think this is someone you'd surely want on your side.