Watch Darlene's video

Overview

My current situation is I am living in a homeless shelter. I am seeking housing and I have my tax preparation license. I have a daughter who I love and I would really love to eventually live with her.

I need a basic laptop computer to get more online employment hours. This computer would really help with employment because everything I do with clients, such as preparing tax returns, can be done online. It will also help me to continue to seek permanent housing. As well as benefit me in finally being able to take online classes, which I have been wanting to take for a while now. I am very active in finding housing and I am a very positive person. I am very grateful to have everything I have, even though I know I may not be in the best of situations. I am loving and love to see when people I love in my life do well and I am very proud of who I am.

My goal is to get more employment hours with my tax license with online help. Also to get permanently housed. Lastly, to continue my education and seek higher goals with that.

I'm from Monterey, California. I now live in a homeless shelter in Berkeley, California. Something interesting about me is that I am very family oriented and I really enjoy my time spent with my daughter. I'm happiest when I see other people progress. I am usually a very happy person. I'm most proud of myself because I think I have carried myself since I am 17 years old. I am also proud of my daughter for how she turned out. I am very proactive and I am a very positive person. I try and always see the good in people and like to have a good time and joke around too.

Watch Cathy's video

Validated

Validated by Cathy from Berkeley Food and Housing Project (What does this mean?)

We met when Darlene came into shelter about two months ago. I am her case manager so I see her every week for our weekly meeting. I think meeting this need is important because Darlene really needs more employment hours to get more money for when she gets housed.

I want her to be able to maintain her housing and I think having a computer will benefit her in getting her more tax preparation time with her clients. Darlene needs to show her clients that she is serious about helping them with their return taxes, a laptop will help her do this.

Darlene is a very positive and happy person. She is up and out every day looking for housing and she is a very hard worker.

About Cathy

My job title is Housing Case Manager Intern. My work involves permanently housing clients, case managing them, and dealing with issues other then just being homeless. What I like about my job is getting women permanently housed.