Teen heads from shelter to college

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Part of what we do is inform: we call attention to issues. And are we advocates? I don't know. But every once in a while, we do a story that really impacts someone; stories that live long after they air.

Back in October Shari Robeck sent Fox 5 an email. She talked about the job she lost, her honor roll kids, but more importantly she put a face on homelessness. We connected with her son Sebastian, a senior in high school.

Sebastian wrote an essay to prospective colleges about his experiences bouncing from shelter to shelter. He dreamed of starting new. He dreamed of attending American university.

Sebastian and I clicked. The story aired. His mother and I stayed in touch. First we learned he was accepted. Then: a full ride. He got an official acceptance letter and a full $61,000 scholarship to AU.

Homeless is an issue. We told the story of one young man. A university listened.