Rhonda Sciortino: Empowering Survivors

Homeless at 8 and emancipated at 15, Rhonda Sciortino has an inherent drive that pushed her to not just survive, but thrive. She detailed her tale in 'From Foster Care to Millionaire' and has since taken on a mission of fostering kindness and resilience

Jennifer Schneider for American Essence

I went from homeless to millionaire, but it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t overnight. Here’s my story.

I was homeless when I was 8 years old as a result of an uninsured fire in the little shack where I lived with my mentally ill grandfather and alcoholic and addicted grandmother. My parents were both long gone.