The Jackson Heights Project

In The Jackson Heights Project, author Jo Anne Meadows pours out her heart about her struggles, trauma, and unforgettable experiences of her life and the life of her late dad. Throughout this memoir, Jo Anne shares what happened to her and her family as a result of living with an alcoholic and abusive dad. Her family were torn apart due to her dad's illness and by certain people who were envious of him and a negative influence in his life. Jo Anne decided to write and titled her book, "The Jackson Heights Project" because this is where she lived and grew up with her mom, dad, and seven siblings during the good and bad times of their lives. She regrets the life her family had after her dad started drinking and physically abusing her mom who did not deserve this type of treatment.Jo Anne's dad was a hard worker however, and was well known as a great gospel singer in the group. The Valley Spiritual Singers. Jo Anne believes her dad would have had a great future with his gospel career if he had not started drinking. One day while performing at a gig, one of the greatest gospel groups of all-time, "The Mighty Clouds of Joy" heard him sing and asked him to come join their group. He declined and gave up on everything he worked so hard for as his life fell into a downward spiral.In The Jackson Heights Project, readers will discover how this family managed to deal with the negative effects of alcoholism and what their lives were like after their various experiences of the devastation as an innocent family. Jo Anne currently resides in Los Angeles, California with a family of her own and is still healing from her past. Sharing her story in the pages of this book has been very therapeutic. She dedicates this book to her late dad, Mr. Joseph "Joe" Meadows Sr. (April 1, 1936 - November 4, 1983).