**Book received for consideration. Post contains affiliate links. All thoughts are 100% my own.
Growing up, she rarely heard her own name. Today, she's here to help you claim the inherent worth that is yours.
Born into a large working-class family in upstate New York, Christina Meredith endured years of abuse before entering the foster care system as a teenager. With nowhere to turn after she graduated from high school, Christina lived in her car for almost a year, working three jobs to survive.
As she prayed in her car every day, Christina had no idea that in just a few years, she would be crowned Ms. California. She had no idea that her suffering would one day help others find healing. But she did know that she was destined for more, and she would not give up hope no matter the circumstance.
In CinderGirl, Christina tells her piercing and poignant story of leaving behind homelessness to become Ms. California and the founder of a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy for foster care children. With stunning vulnerability, Christina invites us into her childhood home and the heart of a child longing to be loved. She asks us to journey with her across the country and deep into a growing faith. She invites us to dig deeper into our own personal courage, even in the most grim of conditions.
CinderGirl is the riveting story of one young woman's determination to overcome hardship in order to help others know they are not alone and that they too can achieve anything they dream.
CHRISTINA MEREDITH is a foster care activist, mental health advocate, national speaker, and the founder of the nonprofit Christina Meredith Foundation. A former homeless foster youth who was later named Ms. California, Christina today dedicates herself to protecting children from abuse and advocating for foster care reform. Christina concurrently serves in the US Army.
Visit her at ChristinaMeredith.org.
We all know the story of Cinderella... a young girl who is treated awful by her evil stepmother. A fairy tale, a work of fiction. Sadly, for some that fairy tale rings all too close to the truth. This was certainly the case for former Ms. California Christina Meredith. Growing up, she was the Cinderella in her family. From the time of her birth, her mother simply did not like her and treated her horribly, abusing her physically, emotionally and verbally. As a mother, I cannot even imagine... but this was her reality.
In her memoir 'CinderGirl', Christina Meridith shares her heartbreaking story of growing up with her mother, foster homes, etc. Let me be completely honest and say that this is a TOUGH book to read. She speaks very openly and honestly about the abuse she received not just from her mother, but others in her life too. It was horrifying. You may want to keep a box of tissues handy. I could not even imagine how anyone who could be treated the way she was treated and survive it. In addition, it does deal with sexual abuse which could be triggering for some. As difficult a read as it might be, it was eye opening nonetheless.
It was also a story of hope that no matter the circumstances we are placed in, God is there with us. Through the ashes, He can bring us through with a purpose.
If you are looking for an easy, lighthearted read, well, this isn't going to be it. However, if you're looking to learn more about the changes that need to be made in our foster care system, or for a reminder of God's love through all circumstances, this is a great read that is worth checking out.
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