Once homeless, today Monica Madrigal has a new job and a new apartment she shares with daughters Athena, 3, in her mother's arms, and, from left, Aleecia, 9; Angelina, 5; Corrina, 7; and Sareena, 8.

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Turning her life around
HOMELESS SHELTER IN FREMONT GIVES A HELPING HAND TO THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE HIT BOTTOM

at the age of just 31, it's hard to believe that Monica Madrigal has five daughters. But adulthood and the associated problems and issues came early for Monica, who has struggled with the early death of her own mother, ongoing family problems, unemployment and homelessness.

At one time just a few years ago, she and her girls moved from a cheap hotel room to living in a van. That was when everything fell apart.

By the time Monica found the Tri-City Homeless Coalition in Fremont, she had hit bottom. All but her youngest child were living with a relative, and she couldn't imagine things ever improving.

But the coalition -- 15-year-old non-profit agency that provides emergency shelter and support services to families and individuals -- had a place for Monica. For three months, she stayed at Sunrise Village, took parenting classes, looked for a job and, as she says, put herself back together.

``What was so awesome while I was at the shelter is they helped me to get my life into balance,'' says Monica, who today holds a full-time job as a loan processor and has just rented a four-bedroom apartment in San Jose, with the help of a housing program for low-income families. She was able to buy a used car, and for the first time she is saving money. She has dreams, too, of getting a real estate license, buying a home.

And she is looking forward to her girls growing up together.

``I want people to know there are programs out there to help,'' she says. ``You have to keep trying and not give up.''

For others who come to area shelters seeking a new start -- or just a roof over their heads -- $15 (26A) will purchase a ``welcome kit'' containing such essentials as socks, underwear and toiletries. A gift of $30 (26B) will supply a pillow and linens for one bed. Each $100 (26C) will purchase a mattress. Wish Book donations will benefit not only the coalition, but also shelters operated by the Emergency Housing Consortium and InnVision, both in San Jose.