Protection From the Storm: My Journey From Living in Shelters to Running Them

Drop out of school or attend an alternative program for teen girls. Those were the two options given to Sophonna Cottle when she got pregnant in high school. But she had other ideas. It was difficult, but Sophonna stayed in school and graduated on time with her friends. But her dream of going to college seemed far away, especially when she had another baby at nineteen years old. Then, at twenty-three, Sophonna was living in a shelter with her babies and husband. Still, she never gave up on going to college and creating a better life for her family. But first, she had to get them out of the shelter system. But how was she going to do that? With hope, determination and focus Sophonna earned two college degrees, defied the shortsighted expectations of others and later became vice president of a non-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter to New Yorkers in need. Protection From the Storm is an inspirational memoir about the undisputed power of resilience and finding your purpose.