FESCO was a Godsend to my family and I when we first arrived in the Bay area in 1992. We were newcomers and had no place to stay but FESCO provided us with a warm,friendly, positive environment. My husband, 3 kids, and myself were given priceless advice and instruction to get Jobs, our first place(including the furnishing of it), establishing a bank account, and very insightful financial information to assist in budgeting,saving, and establishing and maintaining good credit. FESCO did not stop there. They even contacted us to be placed on a waiting list for affordable housing. Thanks to their input, we were placed in a brand new apartment complex that provided programs to support youth in the community center located on the apartment site!!1 The insight and great advice from the staff and volunteers also helped to motivate our 3 kids to work hard at obtaining a good education. All 3 of our kids have done well. 1 is a graduate of UCBERKELEY, the second is beginning her Senior year at UCBERKELEY. Both attended on academic scholarships. Our last child is currently a senior in high school, an active member of the leadership class, involved in community service and well on his way to obtaining an academic scholarship as well. The study skills and habits that were enforced at FESCO helped them to accomplish a much sought after dream!! To this day, FESCO contacts us yearly to offer school supplies to help our kids to continue to pursue their dream of obtaining a quality education!!! We are forever grateful to FESCO,to Marilyn, Clarence, Pete, to all the FESCO staff and countless volunteers, THANK YOU for your kindness and support!!! This is a great organization for families who really want to make a positive and lasting change so that they too can one day offer the kindness and support they were shown at FESCO!! Please support this organization!!!! They really make a lasting difference.