Liz Murray to speak at Mission Services of London banquet in November
Global News
Liz Murray will join Mission Services of London, a non-profit that offers support for those experiencing homelessness, at its Hope Banquet & Silent Auction on Thursday, Nov. 25.
A woman whose journey from childhood homelessness to studying at Harvard University will be the keynote speaker at a virtual banquet event in London, Ont.
Liz Murray will join Mission Services of London, a non-profit that offers support for those experiencing homelessness, at its Hope Banquet & Silent Auction on Thursday, Nov. 25.
Speaking with 980 CFPL’s Devon Peacock, Murray shared her experience of experiencing homelessness while growing up in Bronx, New York.
Born to poor and drug-addicted parents, Murray became homeless at the age of 15 after her mother died of AIDS and her father moved to an emergency shelter.
“I felt like I wasn’t going to make it,” she said. “When I thought about my life in front of me, how I’m going to rise up to anything … it was so overwhelming.”
With the support of the community, Murray began attending high school and graduated in two years despite her late start and lack of a stable home.
Murray says it was during these difficult times that she found herself wanting to help others.
“I went to high school while I was homeless, (I) received dental care, hot meals, counselling … I was helped so much in my journey that at some point, it clicked for me,” she explained. “I quickly came to realize that a lot of people were also struggling.”