 
*The below stories are real, but the names are fictitious.
Below are true stories of people who have succeeded in overcoming life challenges through self-determination and the help of the various services offered by the County of San Mateo Human Services Agency and collaborating partners. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.
*The stories below are real, but the names and photos are fictitious.
Laurie's Story: Latina Breaks out of Abusive Relationship
Percy's Story: Tax Refund Investment Pave Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency
Juan's Story: Surviving Gangs and Giving Back to Commmunit
Rachel's Story: Son Inspires Mother to Change
John's Story: Giving Back to Community
Julia's Story: Controlling Her Destiny Through School
Amy's Story: Meeting a Promising Future by Overcoming Addiction
Greg’s Story: Overcoming Obstacles
Daniela’s Story: Fight for a Dream and Make it Happen
Gabriela’s Story: Persistency is the Key to Success
Kerry’s Story: Setting Goals to Turn Life Around
Maria’s Story: The Road is Long but not Impossible
Margaret’s Story: Happy Endings Happen
Sergio’s Story: The Savior
Lindsey’s Story: Making the Right Decisions
Kimberly’s Story: Designing Your Own Future
Kim’s Story: Life can bring Pleasant Surprises
Katherine’s Story: Transition Toward Self Sufficiency
Lynn’s Story: A Fighter to Admire
Carmen’s Story: A Bumpy Ride to a Victorious Journey
Analu's story: Overcoming Challenges and Finding a Job
Jane's Story: Higher Aspirations
Laurie's Story: A Single Mother's Victory
Christina's Story: A New Beginning
Randy's Story: Getting a Break
Melissa's Story: Success through Motivation
Aaron's Story: Persistence Pays Off
Cathy's Story: Rising Above
Samantha's Story: Catastrophe Didn't Dampen Spirit
Mary's Story: Hard Work Results in Finding a Home
Frank's Story: Former Client Gives Back to Community
Leslie's Story: Working Car for Working Gal
Tony's Story: Transportation Helped Improve Family Situation
Nancy's Story: Perseverance and Vehicle Transforms Family
Matthew's Story: Opportunities Taken by Homeless Dad
Alice's Story: Work Plan Helped Dedicated Mom
Penelope's Story: Objectives Accomplished by Determined Mom
Anna's Story: A Bright Future Ahead
John's Story: Dad Starts a New Career
 Laurie is a successful participant in the Jobs for Youth program at PeninsulaWorks in Redwood City. Laurie originally came to PeninsulaWorks One Stop Center to obtain assistance in finding a job. Young, married, and a mother, she had many challenges in her life. She realized that in order to succeed, as a woman and as a mother, and to give her daughter the best life possible, she had to break away from the abusive relationship that prevented her from fully living her life. She began setting professional and educational long-term goals. From a frightened sixteen-year-old girl, Laurie became a woman, mother, and student with a huge potential to overcome any barriers on her path to success.
After two months of struggling, Laurie enrolled at a high school to obtain her G.E.D. with the possibility of attending college. At the same time, Laurie works full time at a popular retail store. Laurie is on her way to be a leader who has a vision to fulfill not only her personal goals as a mother, but also professionally as a Latina.
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 Percy, a single father of six, came into PeninsulaWorks to get help with free tax preparation services to claim Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). He invested his refund into HSA’s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program, a savings program, where he could save for education, home ownership, retirement or open a business.
He was laid off from his job at an electronics company. He had always wanted to be a truck driver and enrolled into a retraining program. He successfully completed his training and got a job at a trucking company, earning $18 an hour plus $200 a month bonus and opportunities for overtime.
This year, he came back for help with EITC preparation at PeninsulaWorks. Percy received an EITC refund of $5,830 and with the state and federal refund he received a total of almost $8,000! He continues to save in the IDA program. He is nearly ready to graduate from the program and is getting ready to purchase his first home. Through determination and persistence, Percy made it!
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 Juan is an 18-year-old youth foster youth enrolled in HSA’s Independent Living Program, a program providing supportive services helping foster care youth. At PeninsulaWorks Redwood City, Juan obtained information about jobs in the area. He always showed up on time and asked relevant questions. After a lot of struggles with drugs, gangs and other kinds of challenges in his life, when he came to PeninsulaWorks, he was ready to address his employment goals.
Through the Jobs for Youth program, an employment assistance program for youth, Juan has been actively seeking full-time employment and attending classes to earn his GED. After he obtains his GED, he plans to go into a mechanic program and has already submitted his financial aid package to several local community colleges. Juan now lives with his mother and seems to have a warm, respectful relationship with her. He is a youth who was (and still is) on probation but has cut out his "trouble" friends and has taken on adulthood with sincere seriousness and hard work. He is always open to the ideas of those who are trying to help him and seems to have a real desire to live a responsible lifestyle and give back to the community. Juan has the abilities to be a good leader in the community and help others like him.
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 Two years ago, Rachel was a teenage mother homeless on the streets of East Palo Alto. Her son had been born with sickle cell disease, and though Rachel felt like giving up on life, she knew she was responsible for taking care of him. “My son is the air that I breathe, my whole reason for everything. If I didn't have him, I truly believe this world would have taken my life.”
Instead of giving up, she went to OICW, a non-profit organization and Human Services Agency partner. Rachel took an office skills class. Though a high school dropout, she worked hard and gained the skills she needed and, in April 2003, she found a job in local government. “I really like it here. I would never have imagined myself being where I’m at today, having a good job, being a good mother, giving my son the best.” Sadly, her son was hospitalized this spring with medical complications. We honor Rachel for her brave battle for her famil’s future.
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 John fought religious and political persecution in his country of origin and came to the United States as part of the high tech boom. When the industry collapsed–and took his marriage with it–he went to OICW’s, a non-profit agency and Human Services Agency partner, Culinary Arts Program.
John was always in class, always worked hard, and always wanted to learn more-more than “how:” he wanted to learn “why.” When he left the training program he was offered several jobs working in the private sector. He turned these down, and selected a less lucrative position at a drug rehabilitation center in Redwood City, cooking for youths who are trying to give up drugs and alcohol. When asked why he made this choice he said, “The United States has been good to me. OICW has been good to me. The community has been good to me. It is my turn to pay back the United States, pay back OICW and pay back the community.”
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 Julia is a beautiful articulate young woman with two beautiful children. She is a single mother and has overcome many obstacles with sheer determination and commitment.
Julia has battled domestic violence as well as depression. These battles have made her strong. Her self-motivation came through; she was ready to move toward self-sufficiency. She enrolled in school through OICW, a non-profit organization and Human Services Agency partner. Despite her youth, her family's challenges, her determination to be a good mother, she completed her training and became a certified nurse's assistant. Julia was hired immediately with a local senior home. Julia enjoys her job very much and is passionate about providing exceptional care to all the seniors she cares for daily
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 Amy was raised in an alcoholic family and has had a long history of personal alcohol abuse. After several DUI's, Amy wrestled with her alcoholism by seeking treatment.
After she completed her treatment, she knew she had the strength to turn her life around. All she needed was a chance. And that's what Human Investment Project (HIP) Housing, a non-profit agency and Human Services Agency partner, gave her.
With the Housing Scholarship Amy received, she was able to enroll in and complete a medical assisting course. She then did extremely well during her training at a local clinic-so well that she was offered a full-time, permanent position immediately after her training ended.
Amy tries hard everyday to make her relationship with her daughter better by staying sober and by becoming the kind of role model her daughter needs. During her own unstable childhood, she never dreamed that her life could offer the promising future she now is living.
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 Greg has been in and out of incarceration for many years for crimes to support his addiction. While he was serving his years in prison, Greg had to overcome personal tragedies.
In 2000, he had to surpass difficult health issues and had to follow long cancer treatments. Despite many challenges, Greg has demonstrated an exceptional drive toward improvement. While in prison, he earned his GED. After his release from prison, he was homeless. But now he is stable with a good job with a construction company and he even has a home.
Greg has overcome many obstacles and has set an example for many to follow. Now he is a volunteer at a Church and actively participates in performing community outreaches to speak and work with youth conducting presentations to share his story with others.
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 Daniela is a single parent raising 2 children. She was working and doing the best she could to survive and feed her children. She left a violent and drug addicted husband, with hope to find peace and better opportunities.
Although Daniela's education was limited, she dreamed of a better life and career. When she came to the Human Investment Project (HIP) Housing, a housing non-profit partner with the Human Services Agency (HSA), Daniela found a place to live. Due to hard work, she maintained a housing scholarship and graduated with an AS degree in Respiratory Therapy.
She is completing an internship and has been offered a full-time position. Daniela accomplished her educational goal, thanks to the resources and support she obtained from HIP Housing and the Human Service Agency. Her dream of providing her children with a better life has come true and owning a home is now within reach.
 Gabriela is a 20-year-old single parent who was a cash aid participant for some time. She did not finish high school but she wanted to complete an educational program and start a career.
Gabriela came to PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job connection and employment partner of Human Services Agency (HSA). Training and employment are the common objectives for PeninsulaWorks as well as Gabriela's. She completed a 6 month course in Medical Assisting and Physical Therapy Technician.
Gabriela's persistence and vision paid off. She now is a full-time Physical Therapy Technician at a local senior health center, where she has been employed for the last 8 months.
 Kerry had a long history of alcoholic abuse. She has been clean and sober for 2 ½ years. Her daughter motivated her to undergo addiction treatments.
Kerry was determined to turn her life around, but she needed a helping hand. The Human Investment Project (HIP) Housing's Self-Sufficiency Program, a housing non-profit partner with the Human Services Agency (HSA), gave Kerry the chance to go back to school and complete her Medical Assistance certificate.
With her newly earned credential, she started with a non-paid internship at a health foundation. Then they hired her as a paid intern. Kerry's next goal is eventually to become one of their full-time employees. Kerry's objective was to be drug free; she seized opportunities offered by Human Investment Project (HIP) Housing and the Human Services Agency (HSA). Now she has turned her life around.
 Maria is a single parent of 2 children. On May 2001, she was laid-off and in November 2001 she applied for the Workforce Investment Act Employment (WIA), an enhanced employment services program through PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job employment center.
Maria enrolled in a Training and Human Resource Development certificate program. She attained her first goal after one month, securing a position in a local hotel as a Payroll and Benefits clerk. One month after she started in this position, Maria completed her certificate.
Maria attained a full-time job with benefits, 16 month later in the same hotel. She proved that she could be self-sufficient. It took effort, consistency and patience to reach her goal. Thanks to the assistance she received from the WIA program, she seized new opportunities and was able to advance in her career.
 Margaret was homeless after leaving an unhealthy family situation plagued with alcoholism and drug dependency. Margaret is a single parent of a 3-year-old daughter. Their conditions were desperate, so she applied to the Human Investment Project's (HIP) Housing Self-Sufficiency Program, a housing non-profit partner with the Human Services Agency (HSA).
After joining the Self-Sufficiency Program she moved into a shared living residence and was finally able to provide a stable and nurturing environment for her daughter. Margaret recently graduated with an AA in Administration of Justice. Before graduation, she was able to secure a full-time position with benefits. She now takes pride from being off cash aid and being gainfully employed. Margaret and her daughter have never been happier!
 Sergio is a dedicated single father of 6 teenage children. The past 5 years have been very difficult for this family. Sergio has struggled to provide for his children. The Family Support Center of the Mid-Peninsula, a community service agency and partner with the Human Services Agency (HSA), stepped in to prevent homelessness and take care of the family's needs.
Currently, Sergio's children are not able to reside together due to tight living arrangements, but they are hopeful to reunify once they find a bigger home. This family continues to face challenges, but they are certain that they will get back together, due to their fathers determination. Presently Sergio is enrolled in the HSA Individual Development Account (IDA) program, an innovative savings incentive program. Sergio's children see their father as a Savior: they admire, respect and love him for all his effort and strength.
 Lindsey is a single mother with 7 children, 4 currently residing with her. She has gone through difficult times and changes in her life, like divorcing her husband and overcoming her addiction. The turning point for her was when she acknowledged the sadness in her children's eyes, understanding that they needed her and deserved a better future. Lindsey contacted Free At Last, an Alcohol and Other Drug Services treatment center, which she says saved her life. She is clean, sober and has shown improvement in her lifestyle and attitude. At the Family Self-Sufficiency Team (FSST) a multi-disciplinary assistance team, they recommended to her to take employment classes offered at PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job connection and employment partner of the Human Services Agency (HSA).
Lindsey attended the PeninsulaWorks, where she learned to determine what her skills were, and then with the help of PeninsulaWorks she found a job. Although Lindsey was under tremendous pressure from many facets of her life, she made right decisions to make a turning point in her life.
 Kimberly was homeless and had just graduated from college. She was eager to work to widen her possibilities and also to design a better future. She became a client at PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job connection and employment partner with the Human Services Agency (HSA).
Kimberly found a full-time employment while attending employment orientation. Although she had not even started with the employment workshop, she was very determined to transition quickly into a job and reach self-sufficiency. She is a sales representative now. She was able to use and improve her skills, experience, and education thanks to the PeninsulaWorks employment services in a matter of days. Her life has stabilized significantly.
 Kim is a single mother who had to overcome difficult challenges at a very young age. Kim was on cash aid for several years but has been utilizing the Human Services Agency's resources, which have helped her become self-sufficient.
The Human Investment Project's (HIP) Housing's Self-Sufficiency Program, a housing non-profit partner with the Human Service Agency (HSA), awarded Kim a housing scholarship which allowed her to attain a college degree. She is a pre-school full-time teacher at a private school. Kim is expected to graduate soon.
 Katherine is a 20-year-old single mother of a newborn boy. In fall 2001, she applied for cash aid.
She started in the employment program in February 2002, at PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job connection and employment partner of the Human Services Agency (HSA). She wanted to financially take care of her son and her grandmother. When she graduated from the employment workshop, she implemented her skills learned at the workshops in her new job.
Katherine's patience and hard work paid off after only one month. She was hired within a few months as a full-time receptionist; she has transitioned toward self-sufficiency.
 Lynn has a struggling background history of alcoholism and drug addiction which she managed to overcome successfully. She received a housing scholarship from Human Investment Project's (HIP) Housing Self-Sufficiency Program, a housing non-profit partner with the Human Services Agency (HSA).
She was employed at a treatment center which allowed her to transition out of cash aid. Lynn completed her Alcohol and Other Drug certificate at a community college and advanced her career. She is a Program Coordinator now and was able to move out on her own.
Lynn has been clean and sober for 6 ½ years. She is very grateful for all the support she received from HIP and HSA. She continues to give back to the community by being actively involved in a non-profit group performing fundraising activities. Lynn is a clear example of a leader to follow and a fighter to admire.
 Carmen was a single parent of a beautiful girl. Her daughter suffered from a debilitating fatal disease. Carmen had to overcome difficult losses in her life; this is why she decided to make some changes.
Carmen went to PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job connection and employment partner of the Human Services Agency (HSA), which changed her life. PeninsulaWorks gave her an opportunity for a brighter future, by providing access to employment services and education opportunities. As time went by, she increased her confidence and became stronger.
Carmen went back to school to become a medical assistant, where she now makes a difference by helping others and shares her knowledge, empathy, expertise, and experiences in taking care of the ill. She is victorious in her journey.
 Analu was employed for 8 years at an airline company, which filed bankruptcy. Most of the employees at the company were laid off in December 2001, including Analu.
In February 2002, Analu decided to come to PeninsulaWorks, a one-stop job connection and employment partner of the Human Services Agency (HSA). In March, she was employed at an automobile insurance/travel company as a part-time employee. After 2 weeks she was hired full-time. Now she works at the front counter meeting customers, assisting them with trip and travel plans, and is an excellent representative of the company.
 When Yasmine was 18, she applied for the program for herself and her 6-month old daughter. Later, she gave birth to 3 additional children, battled with alcohol addiction, depression, homelessness, and was in an abusive relationship during her sixteen years on aid.
With perseverance, faith, and assistance from case managers and training specialists in the CalWORKs WorkFirst program, Yasmine was able to break her self-destructive cycle.
She applied for a housing program through the Human Investment Project (HIP) and benefited from job training programs that were carefully selected for her.
Yasmine started working at an established hotel in February 1999. She added another part-time position with a computer company, where she learned clerical skills. Yasmine is now holding two jobs with reputable organizations.
Yasmine sets the model of success. She has overcome lifelong patterns, daily struggles, and has broken a cycle of alcohol abuse and abusive relationships.
 In January 1999, Jane came to SUCCESS center in San Carlos. She was a 19- year-old single mother living with her parents while caring for her 2-year-old child. Jane did not receive any child support and needed to go to work and help support her daughter.
Jane was shy. She had low self-esteem and needed help with interviewing skills. After completing a job workshop, she became motivated and accepted a job as a receptionist. But Jane had higher aspirations. With the help of PeninsulaWorks staff, her resume was sent to another office that needed a bi-lingual speaker. She has been successfully employed full-time (with benefits) in her new job.
 Laurie is a proud mother of three boys. As a single mother, she has succeeded in supporting her family on her own. However, there were times that Laurie needed help in finding a better paying job, and also needed help paying child care expenses while searching for work. In 1997, she reached out to the Human Services Agency for this help. She successfully completed the WorkFirst program and was able to find a temporary assignment as a U.S. Postal mail carrier. Laurie worked very hard - sometimes thirteen-hour days and as much as six days a week. She took advantage of computer training courses at Canada College, which gave her the ability to be more selective in her job search. In 1999, she applied for a full-time permanent office position with benefits and is an exceptional employee.
 Christina was a third generation incest victim and suffered from neglect. When she came to the Giusti foster family through the San Mateo County Human Services Agency Foster Care program, she was not quite 4 years old. It was soon realized that she couldn't hear, therefore, couldn't speak. Stanford Hospital medical staff treated her hearing condition and she began talking soon after! Christina was enrolled in special education classes for speech and language therapy. She was adopted by a single parent after being with the Giusti family for 16 months and is now in grade school, like other kids, doing great!
 Shortly after Randy was honorably discharged from the military, he worked until he was no longer able to do so because of personal problems. He was homeless and without a job for fourteen years until 1996, when he was hospitalized and treated for his condition. Randy came to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Mental Health Program with the hope of "getting a break, a chance to work again." He worked in packaging and assembly at the Work Center in August 1997, until he qualified for the special projects program and began doing janitorial work. In June 1998, Randy transferred to a janitorial training program, where he worked full-time and was known as a team player and a cooperative, cheerful, and dependable worker. Early this year, Randy passed the County janitorial exam and has recently been hired full-time at a hospital. He is no longer receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) because he is now able to support himself. Randy has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now--a full-time job with benefits and an apartment of his own.
 Melissa came to the Human Services Agency SUCCESS Center in November 1997. She had lost all her teeth due to drug abuse and poor health; she felt very self-conscious about this and thought that she would never again be able to get an office job. After completing the job-training workshop through the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Work Center, Melissa finally felt that she could work again. These services helped her find a temporary assignment. In April 1998, Melissa was hired as a clerk. In addition to her main responsibility, she also took on other duties, which demonstrated her motivation to succeed. Things really turned around for Melissa. She found a room to rent, saved money and was able to fix her teeth with the extra savings. In June 2000, Melissa has been with her job for over two years; she is valued immensely for her determination and hard work.
 Aaron came to the SUCCESS Center in February 1999--it had been only a month since his release from jail. He became an alcoholic after his wife died of cancer three years before. Aaron was mandated by the courts to attend the Work First Program; though he felt forced to come, he was grateful. While seeking employment, he gained motivation through the jobs training workshop. Aaron accepted a job at the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) WorkCenter as a forklift driver for $6/hour. While he worked, he persistently looked for a better job through the SUCCESS job center. Aaron said that working and looking for a better job helped him to sobriety with the help of AA meetings. Aaron now has a union job, attends weekly meetings, and belongs to an all-sober baseball league. By staying sober, Aaron was able to obtain and keep his driver's license, and get an even better job. He can now pay child support. He was reunited with his 15 year old daughter and his two older daughters. According to Aaron, "The bottom line is, I was able to pass drug tests and, as a result, I was finally able to join the Union (Teamsters)." Aaron keeps in touch with PeninsulaWorks--he often comes to visit and share his success with our current participants and us.
 Cathy had been unemployed and on disability since the 1980's due to alcoholism. She came to PeninsulaWorks for food stamps and help with rent and started working in the kitchen at the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) in 1998. She was such a hardworking and reliable employee that when a new location was opened, the firm took her with them. Over time, Cathy excelled. She has been employed for two years and is currently a supervisor at a cafe.
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 Leslie is a single mother of two whose challenging day starts at 5 a.m. While Leslie is at work, her mother prepares 3-year-old, Carl, and 6-year-old, Molly, for school and child care. After Leslie has worked several hours, she returns home in the morning to pick up and drop off her children at school. She works until 2 p.m., picks her children up and spends the rest of the day with them. Leslie landed a job, but she then needed to repair her car. Her job depended on reliably showing up at work on time and she desperately needed a car that didn't break down.
Leslie had no credit history or credit cards, and was not able pay for car repairs. Leslie applied for child care as well as a car repair loan through the Family Loan Program, a non-profit organization, and was qualified for both loans. With this assistance, Leslie was recently promoted and hopes to utilize the budgeting and goal setting information she has learned through the Human Services Agency.
 Tony called the Family Loan Program, a non-profit organization, in June 2000 after picking up a flyer at the local Human Services Agency office when he and his wife took their newborn daughter to sign up for health benefits. Tony was working as a cook at a local restaurant but wasn't earning enough to make ends meet. He had a 1.5 hour commute to work every morning and needed to find a second job to provide for his family. Without a car, that was impossible.
In August, his car loan was approved and Tony started to work an extra half shift in the morning at the restaurant. He still gets up and is at work by 5:00 a.m. Due to his perseverance and dedication, Tony has earned a nice pay increase and a promotion to head cook. Tony and his family have moved out of a roommate situation into their own apartment. He now has more time to spend with his wife and daughter.
 Being a single mother of 3 boys and a recovering substance user, it has not been easy for Nancy. She would get up at 4:30 a.m. to get her boys ready for school, then she would catch the 5:45 a.m. bus, transfer to the 6:30 a.m. train, and arrive at work by 8:00 a.m. That kind of rigorous schedule was affecting her children-their grades suffered, and they had no real quality time with their mother.
Nancy was approved for a car loan at the Family Loan Program, a non-profit organization, and within a month she got her car. The expression on her children's faces when they took their first ride was priceless. Because of Nancy's enthusiasm and dedication to her job she has just received a raise, and was offered a part-time job. As a result of having a car, she can keep an extra part-time job, attend teacher conferences, has seen an improvement in one of her children's grades. She can now attend AA/NA meetings on a regular basis. Nancy can now afford to provide a very stable household for her children and even take them on social outings.
 Matthew is an outstanding student in Opportunities Industrialization Center West's (OICW), a non-profit human services community organization, Culinary Arts program and will graduate next month. Matthew and his daughters (Amy, 9 and Sophia, 13) became homeless when his wife left them two years ago; she was the family's breadwinner, and she took their savings with her. The family was in shelters for months before Human Investment Project (HIP), a non-profit housing community organization, helped them find shared housing where they now live. Matthew had worked in construction before an injury ended his career; he had also tried to learn computers, but found that staring at the screen made his glaucoma worse. He always loved cooking, though - and now the customers at OICW's training restaurant love his cooking, too! "My goal is to be a five-star chef. I'm happy now, and my girls see I' m happy for the first time in over two years. Now my daughter Amy wants to be a chef like me!"
 Alice has accomplished a lot during the 12-month period she received housing scholarship through Human Investment Project (HIP) Housing's Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP). HIP is a non-profit housing community organization.
A widow and single mother, Alice participated in the CalWORKs' WorkFirst Program and entered a treatment program. Through career counseling, she focused on securing a job utilizing her previous skills that included a certificate from College of San Mateo and previous office experience. She obtained a permanent, full-time job as an administrative assistant. She now earns $20 an hour, plus health benefits.
Alice made a conscious effort to pay off her debt, fix her credit, and save money. Working with HIP, she is making lower rent payments, which gives her an opportunity to pay off debts. She now pays for child care on her own and continues to work toward being self-sufficient.
 Penelope is a single mother of a 6-year old girl who has made significant achievements while in the Human Investment Project (HIP) Housing's Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP). HIP is a non-profit housing community organization. She accomplished her goal within 6 months in the SSP, by obtaining employment in San Francisco. She is working full-time and is getting paid $18.70/hour plus health insurance for her and her daughter. After one year of employment she is eligible to participate in the company's profit sharing. Penelope has had a long journey to get to where she is today. She successfully transitioned off welfare, doubled her salary, and maintained her sobriety. She says she is inspired by the achievements she has made to continually progress and become fully self-sufficient.
 Being a single mother to an 8-year old girl while going to school and working at the same time has been extremely challenging for Anna. When she initially applied for the program, she was attending San Francisco State University full-time and working as a part-time youth counselor in San Jose earning $18/hr. She recently graduated from San Francisco State University and is working full-time, while looking for a permanent job in communications. She anticipates a starting salary of $40,000 a year. Anna is grateful for Human Investment Project (HIP), a non-profit housing community organization, for helping her family maintain stable housing while she continued to complete her education. Anna is excited about her family's future.
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 John, his wife Beth, and his two children were living in Stockton when Beth was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The family moved back to East Palo Alto to be near Stanford Hospital and John's extended family. With personal and financial challenges ahead of him, John enrolled in the Opportunities Industrialization Center West's (OICW), a non-profit human services community organization, Cisco/Sun Academy so he would be able to support their children in this very high cost area. Beth passed away while he was in training, but despite his personal loss, John continued and completed the program. John graduated in November 2000 from OICW's first-ever Cisco/Sun Academy class and has gone on to start a very successful career. He is now working as a system coordinator, earning $45,000 a year plus benefits and bonuses. With his training, John has been able to support his family.
 Despite challenges, Samantha, a single mother of five, has managed to put herself through Hayward Adult School and has graduated as a medical transcriber. Samantha uses public transportation to and from her job and appointments with Community Gathpath (formerly known as Poplar Re-Care) for her Cerebral Palsy inflicted daughter.
Samantha lost her home when their trailer was flooded. They lost their clothes, furniture and a place to sleep. Samantha and her children went to live in a shelter and received a Section 8 housing voucher. During months of non-stop housing search, she lost the housing voucher because she was unable to locate housing for her large family. With the help of her mom, she was able to get the trailer repaired, which provided stable housing again.
Samantha keeps on striving to be the best mom she can despite these incredible challenges. Samantha is employed full-time in the medical field and is working towards buying a car. She continues to work toward being self-sufficient and a model for her children.
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 Mary's husband died two years ago leaving her a single parent-raising six children, ages 3-15. Mary's only income was from CalWORKs (the state's cash assistance program), she had never had a job and was no longer able to afford the $800/month rent.
A social worker brought Mary's case to the Agency's Family Self-Sufficiency Team (FSST), a multi-disciplinary approach to helping families. Mary was granted a Section 8 housing voucher, but it would be difficult for Mary to find a place for her large family.
Mary entered the work force as a house cleaner and child care provider. While she was living at a transitional housing facility, she saved money for rent. Mary's employer was so pleased by her work and sympathetic to her situation, Mary's employer purchased a property and made the necessary modifications to receive Section 8 housing voucher. In February 2001, Mary and her six children moved into their new home. Mary proudly paid her deposit and first month's rent with the money she'd saved.
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 Frank visited the Human Services Agency in 1994 when he was temporarily out of work. He completed a job search workshop and volunteered at one of the Human Services Agency site helping staff wherever needed. It didn't take Frank long to reach his goal of being fully employed, earning many customer service awards throughout his years of service. Since then the Human Services Agency has received visits from Frank, bringing job announcements and volunteering as an employer guest speaker.
Recently, he used services at PeninsulaWorks Daly City to rewrite his resume for another exciting job opportunity. He has donated numerous sports tickets to PeninsulaWorks Daly City for participants and their families as an award for their hard work during their job search. Frank reflects PeninsulaWorks Daly City's principles of hard work, life long learning and taking ownership for his success.
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