Alan Garcia and Coco Abdul met while staying at the Clara-Mateo Alliance homeless shelter in Menlo Park. Now the newlyweds are working on furnishing their own place in Redwood City.

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A new life together
COUPLE WHO FELL IN LOVE AT SHELTER COULD USE AN ASSIST

for Coco Abdul and Alan Garcia, it was love at first sight in the living room of the Clara-Mateo Alliance homeless shelter. Although they were there for different reasons, both were facing hard times that had made it necessary to seek assistance at the 63-bed Menlo Park shelter.

Coco, 38, was caring for her ailing mother when she was laid off from her retail job and found herself too broke to make the rent. Alan, 59, was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and had just completed treatment at the Menlo Park VA Hospital.

``There is a `lights out' rule,'' says Coco, remembering evenings at the shelter, which also runs a six-unit homeless facility for families and a transitional housing program with another 30 beds. ``We would just find ourselves breaking the rule and staying up talking because we never ran out of things to say.''

Very quickly, the two became inseparable, sharing the music they both love -- he plays the bass and Coco sings and plays guitar -- and their life stories. Alan began working for Veterans Affairs, while Coco took classes in the Elsa Segovia Center, a day program for shelter residents, and started looking for a new job.

``It's hard to find work in retail because they always seem to want to hire teenagers,'' Coco says. ``Now I am trying to get enough training so I can find something computer-related, and I'd like to go to Cañada College.''

In September, Coco and Alan realized their dream when they were married in an outdoor ceremony that included the traditional breaking of the goblet to reflect Alan's Jewish heritage. They also were able to leave the shelter and move into their own place in Redwood City, where they have started a new life together.

``What I want to say to other people facing hard times is that they should never lose hope,'' says Coco, who finds a way to look at the positive, even in the face of adversity. ``Always seek help. It is out there.

``And love is just around the corner.''

But love alone can't furnish their new place. Alan and Coco could use a lot of household items, and donations of $25 (20A) would go toward gift certificates they can use to go shopping. And $15 (20B) would purchase a nice frame to hold a special photo from their wedding.