Author name: Shelley Simpson

When Oyuki first connected with Home Start and Light, her Housing Navigator, this young woman carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. She grew up without stable housing, often unsure where she and her family might sleep next. Still, Oyuki worked tirelessly, often holding down two jobs to support herself and her loved

When a father newly arrived in San Diego found his daughters resisting the traditions and language he cherished, he worried they were drifting too far from their roots. His efforts to keep them connected—strict study routines, limited activities, and rising expectations—only deepened the tension at home. What began as love slowly grew into frustration, leaving

After years of enduring domestic violence, battling addiction, and experiencing homelessness, Macie found herself separated from her two children—a baby girl and a school-aged boy—who were placed in foster care. When Home Start staff member Yvette first contacted Macie for visitation services, she declined, overwhelmed by the weight of court-ordered programs and existing county visits.