"Mama, Mama," 10-year old Elizabeth, who suffers from an aggressive form of cerebral palsy, cries out for her mother's attention. Elizabeth doesn't know much about this world. However, she knows that her mother is always there for her only a cry away.

Nailed to the front door, a single piece of paper sent Marta Lopez's world into a tailspin. Her husband Herberto had lost his construction job. The family was unable to pay the rent. And then, the eviction notice came. The Lopezes-Marta, Herberto, Marta's mother, sons Jorge (15) and Harry (12), and Elizabeth-faced the very real possibility of homelessness.

The Lopezes - Marta, Herberto, Marta's mother, sons Jorge (15) and Harry (12), and Elizabeth

"I was desperate," Marta recalls. Money and options were running away from the family while Marta was frantically calling everyplace she knew of for help. And just when things looked desperately hopeless for Marta and her family someone threw them a lifeline. They learned about Camillus House, a nonprofit organization in Miami, Florida. "I was very scared at first," says Marta. She thought of Camillus House only as a soup kitchen with dormitory style shelters. Like many in the greater Miami area, she had no idea of the extensive range of services that Camillus House offers those in need.

Camillus House provided the Lopez family the most basic of services: food and shelter. The family was placed into a unit at the Mother Seton Housing Program, which provides transitional housing in units built on the former Homestead Air Reserve Base. Mother Seton opened in August of 2000 and provides a total of 40 apartments for families in desperate situations like the Lopezes.

Marta and Elizabeth

Marta now has a safe place for her daughter to be cared for and her boys have a quiet place where they may study hoping that one day they'll pursue a college education. Furthermore, working with their case manager-Marlen Burgos-the family is now able to address lingering issues that took a back seat to mere survival during the family's first decade in America. The oppression and lack of opportunities in their native Cuba are only distant memories. With Herberto working again, Marlen is assisting the family on creating a household budget and saving money. Should the family fall on hard times again, they will have a cushion to fall back on. Marlen is also helping the family navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth of public assistance, and guiding them on immigration issues for the family to realize their dream of becoming American citizens. Camillus House is also orienting Marta to enroll in an adult education program where she can learn English, and eventually get equipped to find a job and expand the family horizons.

Now little Elizabeth may also have the possibility of something that seemed unimaginable for the Lopez family only a year back. She could go to school. After having received more than 10 surgeries because of her cerebral palsy, Elizabeth is now safe, comfortable, and happy. Camillus House, however, wants the girl to enjoy the fullest life experience possible, even with her disability. Marlen has arranged for specialists and physical therapists to work with Elizabeth with the expectation that she might be able to attend school and interact on some level with other children her age.

When asked if she wants to say anything to those who support Camillus House, Marta tears up. "First of all I want to tell them thank you. Thank you for giving to an organization that provides such quality assistance. But I also want them to talk to their friends and relatives and tell them to give as well. There are so many families in need." The Lopezes were one of those families but thanks to Camillus House their needs aren't as great and their future has never been brighter.