What Do You See When You Look at Me

Nikki Johnson-Huston, Esq., is a successful lawyer in Philadelphia and a remarkable motivational speaker.  Her family was homeless when she was young, but she worked her way out of poverty and is now an advocate for young people and persons experiencing poverty and homelessness.   She served for a time on Project HOME's Board of Trustees.  Nikki shared her story in a moving talk at the February 18 All Residents Meeting.  She encouraged the residents to keep working on improving themselves.  She also shared this poem, which conveys much of her story.

Do you see the homeless little girl I used to be

or the woman lawyer that so many people helped me to be. 

I am both of the things both of those people.

I was one of the lucky ones

but not everyone makes it.

We all have hopes and dreams

but for many they are so far away.

How can I dream

if I don't know where I will eat or even where I will stay.

You know nothing about about me

not even my name.

All you see of me is my shame

but you never know my pain.

You tell me to pick myself up

but I want to scream

no one ever showed me how.

I'm here now as the woman I hoped to be

but so many like me are not where they are supposed to be.

The next time you walk by one of us

I hope you see not where we are now

but where we hope to be.