Ann Marie Alvarado now watches her children playing before bedtime in her new home in Mission.
But just a few months ago they had no beds and no home. They were living in a garage.
“I just wanted to give up,” said an emotional Alvarado.
In her new living room, surrounded by her eight children, ages 4 to 14, the single mother admits she moved in with her parents after spending some time in jail.
But after an argument they evicted her and her children from the home last October.
"It was bad,” added Alvarado.
“They (kids) were getting frustrated. They couldn't deal with it anymore. We were just eating sandwiches and soups.”
The family of nine had nowhere to go.
A friend heard of Alvarado's situation and referred her to ARCH, The Advocacy Resource Center for Housing.
"She has been successful in working and providing for her eight children,” said ARCH Executive Director Sanjuanita Maldonado.
“That is something very admirable.”
In roughly two months the family was sheltered by ARCH.
The no for profit organization helped Alvarado find a job and most importantly she said “they made her life a better one.”
Alvarado currently works two jobs and 16 hours a day to sustain her children.
She is grateful to have a roof over her head and to provide for her family.
ARCH is funded through grants and donations.
To learn about their organization head to their website.
www.archnonprofit.org
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT