Kimberly Berrios is 20 and says Tubman House has given her shelter, education and life skills to not just survive, but thrive. She and her fiancé came to the program 18 months ago homeless and with two small children, "This program has really encouraged me to look deeper within myself and what I want out of life and not just what I need to get by or just live here for a little while and just be on government assistance."
Government assistance for the program was $200,000 per year. That was half of the non-profit's budget. Tubman House's executive director is Bridget Alexander. She says she refuses to let the program die as it now mirrors the plight of the people it helps, "As an agency, we find ourselves in that exact same position. It's going to be the moment that ends up defin…making us. And if we come through this, we're actually going to be a better agency. "
The program has been weaning itself off of government assistance since opening the Art Beast Children's Studio in Sacramento three years ago. Profits from the studio help pay for programs.
