Ju-Juanna Latif’s story is one of inspiration and example of how one can overcome life’s obstacles and persevere to achieve a dream. Ju-Juanna struggled through a dysfunctional home life, dropped out of high school and became a single teen mother. As Ju-Juanna tried to get her life on track, things took a turn for the worst, when Ju-Juanna and her young son Antonio were forced to move into a homeless shelter. She didn’t give up and wanted a life better for her family so in the shelter, Ju-Juanna obtained life skills, took parenting classes and received job training. After getting her GED, she went to college where she toted her son on 8 busses a day. Eventually, she entered a work-study program so she could feed her son and landed a job, had three more kids and was able to afford a home. She became involved with her church’s mentoring program and worked as a social service worker for many years where she had the opportunity to share her experience and inspire many people to improve their lives. She’s been recognized by the community and has given motivational speeches.
 
Now Ju-Juanna is a proud working mom raising 4 children living in a home of her own right next to their “adopted grandmother” Rose Morgan. A seamstress, Ms. Rose donates her time by making flower arrangements for different church programs, giving rides to church for members and making clothes for needy individuals. The Latif children are following in their mother’s footsteps with their involvement with the church, acting as youth leaders and 4H members. Now 19 years old, Antonio is on a committee to give input on the building of a youth center for kids at church and in the community. He also travels to different churches in the city and performs his rap music of positive lyrics and empowerment at youth events.  But their home is falling apart at the seams and is not accessible for her wheelchair bound 9-year old son James.

• Ju-Juanna Maria Latif, 39
• Antonio Ju-Juan Earl, 19-year old son
• Aarron Marcal Perkins, 13-year old son,
• Ju-Juanna Perkins, Jr., 12-year old daughter,
• James Cornelius Perkins, 9-year old son, has cerebral palsy.
• Rose Morgan, next-door neighbor, is a retired librarian.