HamiltonFamilyCenter

Emergency Shelter Success Story

Originally from Peru, the Espinoza-Aybar family immigrated to San Francisco five years ago. They became homeless when the mother lost her job at a flower vendor that closed due to lack of business, and the family’s home burned down around the same time. During their stay at Hamilton Family Residences, the father has successfully maintained full-time employment as a dishwasher in a restaurant and the mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy. An adult daughter and the third caregiver in the family is now a full-time student at City College. In combination with English classes, she is currently working toward completing her high school education. The family has saved over a thousand dollars during their stay, meaning that when they do find permanent housing, they’ll have money for a security deposit.

Rapid Re-housing Success Story

Yolanda Kitt entered Hamilton Family Residences & Emergency Center with her 4 children in April 2009. During meetings with her case manager, Yolanda contacted every affordable housing option in the Bay Area searching for places with open waitlists. Yolanda walked up and down the streets of San Francisco filling out applications for housing. Even when she was told that apartment waitlists were closed, she would ask if she could fill out an application anyway and leave it with the property manager to be processed when the waitlist opened. With move-in assistance, furniture, and household items provided through from First Avenues, she and her children moved into a 3-bedroom apartment, and is working on building a better and more stable life for her children.

Employment Success Stories

Qing Zhi Huang and Carlos Lee King Hing have been very committed and persistent in their search for employment. They are natives of Guangzhou, China, and both have extensive work experience, although their primary language is Mandarin and their English skills are limited. Both have worked with their Employment Specialist Case Manager to create a résumé and set up their first email accounts. They have also learned how to attach their resumes to emails and apply for jobs online. Carlos has applied for several janitorial positions. Qing Zhi has also applied to many jobs, including one as a crossing guard, and is currently enrolled in a six-month training course for cooking with the CHEFS program. Qing Zhi is committed to completing the program while at the same time working on her English skills, and is confident that she will be able find competitive employment in the culinary industry upon completion of the course.

Since he and his family entered Hamilton Family Residences & Emergency Center, Jim Serrano has been very motivated to find employment and has been working with his Employment Specialist on updating his resume to make it look more professional. He learned how to write a cover letter, and how to attach his resume when applying for jobs online. He applied for countless jobs online with help from his Employment Specialist Case Manager until one company, a national event security corporation, contacted Jim for an interview, and he was offered the position. Jim and his family are hopeful that their new income will increase their options for permanent housing.

Transitional Housing Success Story

Lisa Matthews and her three-year-old daughter Aurora heard about Hamilton Family Center when they first became homeless in 2005. The family entered our Transitional Housing Program where Lisa learned budgeting, parenting, and other life skills. Once stabilized, the Matthews applied for and received a temporary rental subsidy from First Avenues: Housing Solutions for Families. Lisa and her daughter moved into an apartment in our permanent supportive housing program – The Dudley Apartments – in November 2007 and are doing well! The financial help she receives each month has allowed Lisa to maintain her housing and work to increase her income. She is attending the Goodwill job-training program and will graduate soon.

“I am grateful for the help I have received from First Avenues. It’s given me the time I needed to create a home for my daughter.”

– Lisa Matthews

First Avenues Success Story

Misty Robinson and her three children applied for help from First Avenues: Housing Solutions for Families in January 2007, seeking assistance with housing and employment plans. Since she started working with our staff, Misty has found affordable housing in Oakland and obtained a full-time job working in an upscale specialty food store in San Francisco. Due to her hard work, Misty received a promotion and a raise at work, effectively increasing her income!

“First Avenues has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. Without First Avenues and Hamilton Family Center, I wouldn’t have been able to build a safe home for my children and me.”

– Misty Robinson

Project Potential Success Story

Kitzia Esteva-Martinez, once homeless, is now studying at UC Santa Barbara.
When Kitzia Esteva-Martinez was a sophomore at Newcomber High School, she and her family found themselves homeless in San Francisco with very few options available. Her family, originally from Mexico, moved to the U.S. after discovering that her nephew – who already had Down syndrome – was also diagnosed with leukemia. Her mother and sister were granted the opportunity to bring the child to San Francisco in 2002 to receive medical treatment at UCSF. Kitzia followed a year and a half later. After encountering difficult times, the family turned to Hamilton Family Center for shelter and support.

Kitzia has faced many challenges that might have kept the average person from pursuing a higher education, but not this eager student. Although she entered the U.S. high school system without proficient English skills, Kitzia worked hard to master the language and excel in the classroom. With the support of her family, the Hamilton Family Center’s after-school program, and her high school guidance counselor, Kitzia graduated near the top of her class and was accepted to college, and was awarded a full scholarship by Children of Shelters.

“I feel like I need to be reciprocal with my community because I have received so much from groups like Hamilton Family Center and Children of Shelters. I now have a responsibility to give back to not only my family, but my community as a whole”. She is studying at UC Santa Barbara with the hopes of earning a degree in Political Science, an interest that stems from a desire to make changes in public policy and the education system.

“I plan to start volunteering at a high school in Santa Barbara and become a mentor to an immigrant student. I know what they are going through and I hope to show them that education is a right – not a privilege. You have to work for it.”

– Kitzia Esteva-Martinez