For the past two month Thomasia Holsome has taken refuge at the Bakersfield Homeless Center.
"The shelter is here to help you if you are trying to help yourself," Holsome said.
She left a desperate situation only to end up living in her van. Noe she's trying to provide a home for her 8-year old grandson. But it's tough.
"At times you feel like you know I'm working so hard and still there is nothing coming out of it, Holsome said. "You don't see the progress you want to see right then, but all I can say is you can't give up. You can't lose sight of hope."
Holding onto hope, that's what Juan Isarradas does everyday. He lives at the center with his girlfriend and three young kids.
"They got me a room, they got me a crib for my son, they gave a showers, soap, toothbrush, the things that you don't need to go outside and buy," Isarradas said.
It's those necessities that help Isarradas save money. He too wants to provide a better life for his kids.
"It's better than being on the streets with my kids," he said.
So far this year the shelter has housed hundreds of folks and their families. The goal - to get the residents back on their feet.
Holsome won't be there much longer.
"Yesterday was a really good day because we were approved for the place we were looking for," she said. "It has a happy ending."
