Taking A Look Back At 2008 Around The World
Jan 5, 2009 10:42 pm US/Eastern
Spirit Of Love Helps Foster Child Flourish
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Willie Singleton is proof of what a foster family's love is capable of doing. He now plans on working to raise some cash to go to Cornell University.
CBS
Out of the tens of thousands of children that are in Florida's foster-care system, one young man stands out as proof of what a family's love can do, and now he's off to Cornell University to fulfill his dreams of helping others.
Barely holding back tears of joy and gratitude, Willie Singleton, celebrated a new chapter in his life. As he celebrated his birthday the young man who was once considered a throwaway says it's "strength" that he feels on this special day.
Monday he took a last look at the courthouse he first entered as the six-month-old baby of a crack-addicted mother. He knows of his beginnings: Born with serious medical needs, he was handed over to the state, but had the rare blessing of being raised by a foster family—a mom who gave up her career to care for him.
"I was raised by the state, but also raised by a mother who was loving and caring and put the word foster out of the system," said Singleton.
He was accepted at Cornell University and is looking to create a career to help other children.
"I knew he would do it, I knew he would do it, but I'm just grateful that he has accomplished so much," said his foster mother Pauline Mohammed, as she held back tears herself.
"The message is to not lose hope," Singleton told
CBS4's Michele Gillen. "Live your dreams."
This story is a testament to a young man and the impact of his not having to go through a revolving door of foster homes. He's ready to attend the Ivy League school even though he plans on working a bit to raise some cash for the costs.
As for his happy parents, they have also raised 20 other foster children in these last decades.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2008 Celebrity Deaths
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