Best-Selling Author Schedules Book Signing to Benefit CSUSM

Best-Selling Author Schedules Book Signing to Benefit CSUSM Former child abuse victim, foster child and now best-selling author Dave Pelzer will have a book signing in Escondido Wednesday, Nov. 12, to benefit the Cal State San Marcos’ Tutor Connection Program, a first-of-a-kind program that aims to prepare future teachers to address the special needs of foster children. The signing starts at7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 810 W. Valley Parkway.A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s sales will be used to purchase gas cards to defray expenses incurred by student volunteers who drive to and from the homes of foster youth needing tutorial assistance.Pelzer was placed in the foster care system at age 12 after being nearly killed by his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother. He has since chronicled the ordeal and penned six inspirational books, two of which were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.“I believe the lives we live are the lives we make,” he writes in the preface to his newest book, Moving Forward. “Call it self-destiny, God’s will, karma, good luck, bad luck, whatever. But when you finally sit down at the end of the day and look at yourself in the mirror—after you’ve scrubbed away all the grime and makeup and truly see yourself and where you’re at in this stage of your life, without any pretense or the trappings of your outer façade—the reality of life hits you right between the eyes.”Tutor Connection was launched in 2002 by CSUSM education professor John Halcon and Michelle Lustig, coordinator of Foster Youth Services with the San Diego County Office of Education Student Support Services.  The program is done in collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education, Foster Youth Services Program, Health and Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services and Casey Family Programs, and College of Education and Office of Community Service Learning,