Originally I’m from all over Brooklyn. At one time I had everything; my husband, my father, my mother. They’re all dead. Now I have nothing. They were lovely parents, Spanish. I finished high school and went to college for two years, right here in Brooklyn. Then I worked for my father, in printing and advertising. I did a lovely job; pay-roll, everything imaginable. My husband was a carpenter and electrician. He made nice money. My father passed away. My mother passed away 2 years later, then my husband, after 17. That’s the end. I roamed about home, from room to room. Finally I decided no, I can’t do it no more. I went into a shelter. I’m in the shelter now for 6 months.

I don’t have anything, I’m getting social security, and welfare – no, not welfare. I don’t remember the name of it. That’s how I live. I am 54.

This is alright for a shelter. Put it this way; I have everything I need. I get $850 a month. Part of it goes into the bank for me. I have like four hundred dollars to do what I have to. I go to my appointments. I don’t do much else. At this point in my life I just want to relax. I do what I am supposed to. I’m going out to look at an apartment tomorrow.