Like many families throughout the United States, Michelle and Fernando found their lives turned upside down after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Michelle was laid off from her job at a local hotel when business declined, and the two could no longer afford to pay the rent on their home. Unsure of what to do, Michelle, Fernando, and the children stayed with relatives for awhile, but the family needed their own space, so they negotiated a monthly rate at a nearby hotel. Despite the instability of their situation, Michelle found a new job, and they held their family together. Unfortunately, the hotel rate changed along with new management, and, unable to afford the new rate, Michelle and Fernando found themselves without a roof over their heads.

Michelle and Fernando were referred to Shelter Network's Family Crossroads program. At Crossroads, Michelle and Fernando immediately set goals for themselves, and they worked hard to achieve their main objectives of saving money and finding permanent housing. Manuel, their Case Manager, was impressed by the family's, "hard work and diligence in focusing on their goals and saving 60-70% of their income."

In addition to working full-time and parenting three children, Michelle and Fernando participated in workshops and classes at Family Crossroads. Just five months after entering the program, Michelle, Fernando, and their children moved back into permanent housing. Today, the family lives in a two-bedroom apartment in South San Francisco. Krista and Belinda are happy to have a permanent home again, and Michelle says that they "seem more at ease now."

Michelle and Fernando are grateful to Family Crossroads because "without the support of the program we couldn't have done what we did." They thank "the nice and helpful people we met at Family Crossroads" for providing them with the time and stability to save money and search for and find an apartment.

Michelle and Fernando hope to build upon their successes by furthering their education. Michelle currently works at Sportmart, while Fernando drives a courtesy van at the airport. Both are excited about pursuing their GEDs in order to obtain higher-paying jobs, and Michelle dreams of learning a new career. In five years she would love to be working as a licensed massage therapist, and Fernando sees himself as a construction supervisor. They hope that their children will continue to do well in school, and they dream of living together in a larger house.

Despite the hardships they have overcome and the challenges that remain, Michelle and Fernando have an inspiring optimism about the future. They hope that their success will encourage others, and they would like to tell future Shelter Network families that if you "stay on top of things, abide by the rules, and save money, you will get things accomplished." Michelle, Fernando, and their children have achieved a lot through hard work and determination, and we have no doubt that their futures will be very successful!