Through the Family Support Center of the Mid-Peninsula, Madge got a referral to Shelter Network's First Step for Families in San Mateo, and she and Jeremiah, Quentin, and Quana moved in. Once settled at First Step, Madge met with her Case Manager and started setting some goals. She realized that "with the economic downturn, I needed some more skills to get a good job," so she enrolled in a computer training program at OICW. She also started working on improving her credit. Because the family was doing well at First Step, they were accepted into Shelter Network's Haven Family House transitional housing program in Menlo Park. There, Madge continued her job training, completing the OICW program and enroll in a more intensive computer training program at Ca–ada College. While attending school full-time, she also continued to work on securing affordable housing and moving her family back to self-sufficiency.

The most helpful part of Shelter Network's programs, Madge commented, was "the support of staff. Everyone has been so encouraging - sometimes I think they believe in me more than I believe in myself!" Pushing forward was a lot of hard work. Madge explained, "Sometimes I feel like an overwhelmed mother, trying to keep a straight face so that my kids don't worry." But she was determined to achieve her goals, and knew that with some support, she would be able to succeed. As she explained, "I think this program works as much as you work with it and for it."

And Madge wasn't the only one in her family with goals and determination. Her oldest son, Jeremiah, a seventh-grader, set his sights on attending Serra High School, and was working hard to qualify for admission. As a concerned mother, Madge was especially proud that Jeremiah was staying focused on his goals even while their family was facing a difficult time. She comments, "When the Children's Coordinator told him that she'd contacted Serra on his behalf, that really meant a lot. It showed him that this was something he could really do." Since then, she said, "He's been working overtime to get into that school. I just went over his most recent progress report, and his teacher feels that he's doing an exceptional job."

The prospects for Madge's family are looking up. Madge was accepted into the County of San Mateo's "Moving to Work" program, which provides up to six years of subsidized housing for individuals who are working on improving their job skills or education and moving toward self-sufficiency. Madge worked hard to find a house to rent that met the program's qualifications. Even with the recent drop in rents, finding a place they could afford was still very difficult. But Madge commented, "I'm usually a real fighter· I believe that the best will work out."

Over the long term, Madge is clear about what she wants for herself and her family. For herself, she hopes to receive a college degree. "For me, school is really important," she explains. For her children, she wants to see them reach their goals - including seeing Jeremiah graduate from Serra. And for her family, most of all, she hopes for "our own house, definitely. And I mean our house - a house that mommy bought." Madge and her sons are already on the way to accomplishing each one of their goals. With hard work, determination, and community support, Madge and her family are sure to achieve their dreams.