September 28, 2009

Brianna Karp

Posted: 07:06 AM ET
Brianna Karp, 24, blogs about her experience being homeless.
Brianna Karp, 24, blogs about her experience being homeless.

"If you saw me walking down the street, you wouldn't assume I live in a parking lot," Brianna Karp blogs. "In short, I am just like you, except without the convenience of a permanent address."

Brianna is 24 years old and homeless. She was laid off from her $50,000-a-year job last summer, trying to hang on by working temp jobs and living off unemployment benefits. But, early this year, she had no money left. She’s estranged from her mother. The father she barely knew committed suicide. All he left her was an RV she was planning on selling until she needed it to live in. She moved into a Walmart parking lot and started blogging about her experience.

Again, she’s homeless but, “not hopeless.” With moxy and nothing to lose, she contacted famed Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll and scored an internship with an honest e-mail that was signed, “homeless but not hopeless.” With her newly-found profile online she hopes to help the thousands of other smart young people who are living like her.

Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview

Filed under: Stereotype busters


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Jennifer   September 28th, 2009 5:13 pm ET

Hang in there, Brianna! You obviously have a great spirit, and that will serve you well. You are an inspiration!

Juandy Liem   September 28th, 2009 10:46 pm ET

No matter what life brings...

One thing for sure...

Never Give up Hope...

Hope & Positive Actions, that's all we need to survive and win the wars of life...

ReDiscover The Wellness in You:
http://natural-colostrum.blogspot.com

.

GF, Los Angeles   September 29th, 2009 2:47 pm ET

Did you have any savings from the $50k per year job you had? If so how long did it last?

Jessica   September 30th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Brianna you are inspiration to all – especially those who lost a job and are in a desparate situation. It is wonderful to see you using your newfound opportunity to help others – Wishing you all the best.

agnes   September 30th, 2009 5:00 pm ET

dont give up you"ll make it!

Josh Phillips   September 30th, 2009 11:41 pm ET

Hello Briana,stay strong in faith God has a special plan for you ,you are a example of what more peolpe in this WORLD should be more like not giving up ready and willing to push forward no matter what this cruel world may bring............II Corinthians ,Chapter 4 verse8-9.....We are hard pressed on every side,yet not crushed;we are perplexed,but not in despair;Persecuted,but not forsaken;struck down,but not destroyed"-......That is from the Holy Bible ;God said that, He is real jus keep on believing Sista and let God bless you, Your breakthrough is on the way.......Josh Phillips

Dave T   September 30th, 2009 11:55 pm ET

Brianna, I admire your attitude. Your life will turn and the experience is priceless. I lived in an 18 ft trailer for 3 yrs while attending grad school, didn't have much but I have some great memories from those days.

Mrs. Weber's Current Event's Class   October 2nd, 2009 3:15 pm ET

We were wondering how you pay for your necessities like food, water, etc?

AND

Where do you see yourself, 10 years from now?

Thanks for your time and best of luck with the internship!
Mrs. Weber's Current Events

ashley fizpatrick   October 3rd, 2009 11:04 am ET

have u ever been kicked out of a parking lot.

Angel   October 14th, 2009 3:48 pm ET

That's extremely commendable. She used what she had even though to some it would have seemed like nothing at all.You know how many people would have lost it and given up. You go girl! Life is beautiful when you keep hope alive inside and keep striving using what you got.

michaela   October 20th, 2009 9:45 am ET

Never give up there is always hope in life you just half to keep looking twords the positive side of life because as long as you do that good will come your way. And when you think there is no one who cares look around there are people who care and who will help you just half to look with your heart of gold.

Nancy Gamino   October 20th, 2009 1:45 pm ET

I dont know if to feel sorry for you or to be happy for you because even though you are homeless; you didnt lose hope. With this you showed everybody that to be successful you dont have to be smart, rich, or etc. It all in ones mind that we decide what we want to be or due in our lives.

You go girl and i hope you get heard from others!

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Nicole LapinYoung People Who Rock is a weekly interview series focused on people under 30 - from CEOs to entertainers to athletes to community and political leaders - who are doing remarkable things. Nicole Lapin finds them and introduces them here by writing a weekly column that goes out in time for you to chime in before she interviews them Fridays on CNN.com Live.

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