Alone with my newborn baby and my two children, we were homeless in Oregon. For over a month we had to sleep on the floor until I decided to return to San Francisco where sadness, hope and love united the family. Each day was one of walking and walking, both children with their backpacks, looking to find a place to sleep and rest. Alone, listening to my children say, "I'm sleepy. I'm tired. I'm hungry. I'm cold," very late at night, Mom would finally let go of her shame to ask for pity from people she knew, seeking support for that night and leaving very early the next day. Afterwards, the streets would again become our home during the day. I kept calling to find emergency beds in the shelters, where the family was overcome by fear because we did not know what the people who slept there would be like.

—Lucero