Six sisters from New York, who spent the past decade grappling with homelessness, have defied the odds to pursue their dream of becoming nurses.
The Lawrence sisters, whose lives took a drastic turn in 2013 when their parents lost their home in Queens, faced a tumultuous journey over the past ten years.
Forced to move from one family member or friend’s home to another, the sisters encountered numerous challenges, disrupting their education and leading to bumpy and depressing times.
However, their father, David Lawrence, was determined not to let their situation hinder their education.
In 2015, despite the difficulties, he encouraged his daughters, then in their late elementary and middle school years, to enrol in a homeschool program with the hope of earning their GEDs.
“It’s been quite an adventure,” reflected Danielle, 22, acknowledging the rocky start.
“But what really pulled us through is our faith in God and in each other.”
Undeterred by their circumstances, the Lawrence sisters earned their GEDs in 2019 and pursued higher education at Nassau Community College on Long Island.
Two years later, they graduated and continued their academic journey at SUNY Old Westbury, earning bachelor’s degrees in public health in May.
Proud of their achievements, the siblings, aged 19 to 25, are just getting started.
In August, they embarked on a master’s program in public health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, with plans to enter nursing school after that.
Their father, David, expresses his pride, saying,
“Life’s not fair. And when it throws you a curveball, you gotta adjust to it and keep going.”
The Lawrence sisters’ story is a testament to the power of determination, family support, and unwavering faith, proving that dreams can be realized even in the face of adversity.
