On a plane trip to Paris in 2011 to play soccer, Sacramento State accounting major Lisa Stanleyhad time to reflect on how far she had come.

Only a few years earlier, Stanley was homeless and committing crimes to get money for her drug habit.

“I was drinking and smoking weed at 13, and I was doing meth by 14,” Stanley said. “But I didn’t feel bad because I was working by 15. I guess I was a functioning addict.”

She said she does not make excuses for her addiction, but admits her environment did not prohibit it either.

Stanley grew up in Sacramento and said she lived in a loving home with few boundaries that allowed her to easily get involved in drugs at an early age.  

At 14, she got involved in an abusive relationship that lasted 11 years. By the time Stanley was 24, she had five children.

With her addiction and her partner being in-and-out of jail, taking care of her kids proved to be  difficult. In 2004, she gave up custody of her children to her parents.

“I wanted to get sober for my kids,” Stanley said. “I was determined to be a good example to my children and turn my life around.”

By this time, Stanley was homeless and felt signing over custody was her best option. She said it is still one of the hardest things she ever had to do.

In 2009, Stanley said she wanted to start a new life and moved into transitional housing at the Mather Community Campus in Sacramento.

“We made vision boards with 30, 60 and 90-day goals,” Stanley said. “I can’t say I would have been where I am without setting the small goals.”

Stanley said she was focused and determined to stay clean and sober, but everyday was a struggle.

 

While living in transitional housing, she met Tiffany Fraser and Lisa Wrightsman, co-directors and coaches for a street soccer team, the Sacramento Lady Salamanders.

Wrightsman, played for the Sac State women’s soccer team from ‘99 to 2000 and finished her second all-time in goals scored, said if it had not been for soccer, she probably would not have graduated.

“I can break down any life skill into soccer,” Wrightsman said. “I wanted to help develop those skills through soccer in a space without judgment.”

Wrightsman inspired Stanley to join the Lady Salamanders. Stanley said her children’s joy when playing soccer sparked her interest in the game.

Although she still did not have custody of her children, Stanley was able to bond with them through the soccer.

“It was seeing my daughter playing and making moves on the field that made me want to get involved, “ Stanley said. “ I was on [Lady Salamanders’] first team. My five kids all went with me to practice.”

Stanley said the structure of the game helped build more confidence and a sense of purpose.

In 2010, Stanley was granted custody of her children and by the next year, she had a new house. One year later, she was selected to play on the U.S National women’s team and participate in the Homeless World Cup in Paris.

“I work hard to be a good role model to my kids so they won’t go down the same path,” Stanley said. “That’s why I went back to school, to lead by example.”

Before Sac State, Stanley transferred from Folsom Lake Community College, where she became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society fraternity.

Stanley became the first person in her family to graduate college when she earned her an associates degree in business. Now in her second semester at Sac State, she has maintained straight A’s.

“I always knew I was smart,“ Stanley said. “But now I am doing what I should have been doing a long time ago.”

Stanley said every day is still a struggle, but her kids are her inspiration to stay strong, along with the women she is influencing on the street soccer team.Stanley is now an assistant coach for the team and said it is like a second family.

Now Stanley has been an inspiration to more than just her children. One of the women she has inspired on the team is Angelina Lowney who is also a single mother of five children who shares a very similar past to Stanley’s.

“She has shown me anything is possible,” Lowney said. “Your dreams can come true with lots of hard work and dedication. Never give up on yourself or what you believe.”