Marisol first heard about Pajaro Valley Shelter Services (PVSS) through Monarch Services, where she had initially sought support. Being placed on a waiting list for the 6-month shelter, it felt like a setback, but the call to move in came quickly. It was a pivotal moment, one that marked the beginning of a new life.

When Marisol first arrived at PVSS, she was overwhelmed. Adapting to the structure, rules, and new faces was stressful and complicated. Yet, as the weeks passed, she began to connect with the other women. They shared stories and mutual understanding created a sense of belonging. By the time she moved out of the shelter five months later, Marisol knew she would miss the other families.

Her journey hadn’t been easy. Without other family close by, Marisol had spent years depending on her partner, only to find herself isolated and alone when things fell apart.

Moving into PVSS offered a sense of calm and safety that helped her family begin to heal. Her daughter struggled with depression and was very withdrawn. As they settled into PVSS housing, her daughter became more comfortable and happier. Now, she laughs, shares jokes, and talks openly with Marisol.

Marisol was also learning and growing. Attending workshops and meeting with Mireya, the Emotional Stability Counselor, had given her a safe space to talk about her fears and challenges. She had never seen a counselor before, and Mireya’s guidance has given her the space and tools to talk about life’s difficulties with confidence.

Through financial workshops with the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, Marisol is learning about credit, mortgages, and savings—concepts that are new to her. She attended Hope and Home classes, where she set her sights on a new goal: saving enough for a down payment on a house. She sticks to her budget, spends very little, and prioritizes saving every penny possible.

Now living in two-year transitional housing, Marisol is balancing the demands of work, attending workshops and the needs of her children, which includes multiple appointments each week for speech therapy. In her work as a quality control specialist for a local grower. Her strong work ethic was recently acknowledged by the grower with a promotion and raise.

Over the next two years, Marisol plans to finish her GED and enroll in ESL classes to improve her English. She knows these steps are critical to creating a better future for herself and her children.

When asked what advice she would give to women in similar situations, Marisol didn’t hesitate. “Stay motivated,” she said with a smile. “Some weeks will be harder, and you’ll feel alone, but other weeks will be easier. Take advantage of everything the program provides.”

And to the donors who made this program possible, Marisol’s smile broadened, “Because of you, people can escape bad situations. You give women like me and my children a chance to build a new life.”