She has never made homelessness an excuse.

Not to her professors, not to her employer.

For the 18-year-old mother, dealing with her family's lack of affordable housing and thin finances is just part of the daily struggles of life. "We have a lot of problems, but we're trying to keep it together," said the woman, who asked not to be identified. "It's hard keeping up with everything, but that was never an excuse."

The woman lives at the Weinberg Village Waimanalo transitional shelter with her boyfriend and 2-year-old son. She works as a cashier at Sea Life Park, and he is a laborer with Las Vegas Services Hawai'i. Whenever she can, the mom works double shifts to earn extra money. When she's not working, she's at school.

The mother is pursuing an associate's degree at Windward Community College, where she is studying criminal justice. Her dream is to investigate crime scenes.

The family was homeless for about two weeks before moving into Weinberg Village. Before they were on the streets, they were living with relatives in a crowded house.

During their homelessness, the couple struggled to meet their responsibilities at work. Every night, the mom used the scant light in their truck to finish her homework assignments or read textbooks. She used computers at WCC for research.

Despite her challenges, the mom is excelling at school.

She got a perfect report card in her last semester and has one year left before she finishes her degree. The couple is optimistic about their future — and their son's future.

"It's always possible to do things," the mother said.

The family has one year left before they must leave Weinberg Village.

For Christmas, the couple would appreciate toys and clothes for their toddler. He loves Tonka or monster toy trucks and has also been asking for a bike.

The boy wears size 2T to 3T.

The mother said she does not need any clothes — because she wears a uniform to work — but would like a simple school year student planner to help her organize her time.

And the family also asked for any donations of toiletries and cleaning supplies.

RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND

Nancy and Michael Fisch — $1,000

Nancy Walker, in memory of Henry A. Walker Jr. — $300

Baker Chapter, 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans — $200

Dayle and Lawrence Osborn — $150

Troy and Leia Lau — $125

Chris and Kate Brown — $100

Stacy Bruhn and Kay Stevens, in memory of Mrs. Dawn Freeman "Granny" — $100

Annette and Daniel Chun-Ming, in memory of Annie K. Palafox — $100

Patricia and Derek Oyama, in memory of H. Oyama — $100

John Paer — $100

Perkins Ohana, in loving memory of Frank J.K. Perkins and Ed Pickering — $100

Phil Robertson — $100

Wayne Teranishi, Tohoku Travel Service Inc., in memory of Yeiko Tokairin — $100

Grace and Stan Wong — $100

Sheila Bernardo — $50

In memory of Charles and June Hare — $50

J., J.S. and J.K. — $50

Dorothy Johnson — $50

Kay and Minoru Teruya — $50

Priscilla and Eugene Valles — $50

Kayla and Chani — $30

Abby and Clarence Akau — $25

Jane and Pedro Poentis — $25

Cynthia Scheinert — $25

Andra and Gerald Vincent — $25

Paul and Sallie Yap — $25

Monique Tran and Erik Davis — $20

In memory of Brigett — $15

Anonymous — $200

Anonymous — $150


Total — $ 3,515

Previous total — $ 61,843.34

Total to date — $ 65,358.34

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.