Monarch School

Monarch School students are remarkable people. Homeless, often abandoned and abused, challenged with finding food, clothing and shelter - not just for themselves, but often for their entire family - they still seek help, have hope and want to learn.

» Meet Robert
» Meet Margaret
» Meet Shelby

Robert, Age 15
Robert and his poverty-stricken mother moved to San Diego from Virginia, and checked into a cheap downtown hotel. After returning from the beach one day, he discovered that his mother had checked out of the hotel. She had left him to fend for himself - without money, food or help of any kind. He was 12 years old.

Robert showed up at Monarch, hungry, scared and in need of a shower. After providing for his immediate needs, our first priority was to find Robert shelter. We made some calls, and got him situated into a long-term shelter. Next, we brought Robert to the doctor to check his health. It was the first time Robert could remember being seen by a doctor in his life.

Just two days after Robert enrolled in the school, he showed up in expensive new clothes. He had met a new friend on the street who wanted to take care of him. We eventually discovered that Robert’s "friend" was a pedophile, who was sending Robert to spend weekends at the homes of other "friends" for entertainment. Eventually Robert’s new friend committed suicide, and Robert had the added trauma of finding the body.

After his terrifying experience, it took Robert time to open up to the staff and students at Monarch. Now, however, Robert is starting to understand a truer definition of friendship. With help, he is healing, and adjusting well to his brand-new life. He has even learned to read.

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Margaret, Age 16
Margaret was raised in the Bay Area, the child of a prostitute and a heroin dealer. She was shuffled from relative to relative, but eventually, her resources dwindled and she was left with her mother.

One day her mother discovered that Margaret had smoked marijuana. Instead of punishing Margaret, instituting a curfew, or monitoring her behavior, Margaret’s mother’s response was shocking and cruel.

“You’re doing drugs,” she said, “Okay, Margaret. If that’s the way it is, then it’s time you hit the high road.”

She shot her 13-year-old daughter up with heroin. The habit would continue for two years, until Margaret’s mother was finally incarcerated.

Now 15, and addicted to heroin, Margaret was left with another relative who was barely coping with her own problems. Margaret knew that she had to get clean. A survivor, she took the last of her mother’s drug money and bought a bus ticket from San Francisco to Alabama. She reasoned that being on a bus, she wouldn’t have access to drugs. After three days of suffering withdrawals and sickness, she hoped she would no longer crave heroin.

It was the first step toward one of Margaret’s biggest challenges: Living drug-free. After Alabama, Margaret’s travels brought her to San Diego and eventually, to Monarch. Upon arrival, Margaret’s immediate needs were attended to – she was provided food, adequate clothing, a hot shower, and a safe place to rest. Next, she was provided healthcare, and a long-term shelter was contacted so she would have a safe, stable place to live.

Soon, Margaret began to flourish at Monarch. Through the careful guidance of dedicated teachers, she discovered a startling aptitude for poetry. Margaret still blushes at the compliments she receives.

“Someday,” she says shyly, “I’d like to have my poetry published.”

With such an incredible wealth of experience from which to draw, and her talent and strength of character, it’s a good bet Margaret will be a published author someday – as long as she’s given the opportunity.

Margaret recently celebrated a full year of living clean, and is currently pursuing her G.E.D.

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Shelby, Age 14
Believe it or not, Shelby is one of the lucky ones.

For a year and a half, she, her chronically-ill father and two younger brothers shared one room in a small, ghetto hotel. Her mother had left her father, and abandoned her children.

Shelby would wake up early every morning, dress and try to find something for her younger brothers to eat. Shelby spent much of her day worrying about what would happen to her little brothers while she was at school – she’d already learned that despite her tender age, she was the most responsible member of her family, and she didn’t trust her father to be able to look after them. After school, she’d quickly return “home”, try to find something for the boys to eat, bathe them and put them to sleep. Shelby would get up the next morning and start all over again.

The hardest part? Shelby could remember what it was like before her family was homeless. She remembered what it was like to eat a hot meal and not think twice about it, to have friends over to visit, gifts on birthdays and at Christmas - and what her father’s face looked like before his illness.

Shelby came to Monarch School in February, 2001 and tested at a second-grade level. Today, thanks to her determination to live a normal life and the caring and support she has received through Monarch, things are different. Her father is receiving regular medical attention. She still gets up early to help her brothers, but has been given the necessary resources to ensure they are cared for and won’t go hungry. Best of all? Shelby is making excellent grades at the proper level – she’s right where she should be.

“Monarch,” she says, “is the best thing that ever happened to me. Being here is the best thing in my life.”

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* Note: Names and details have been changed or omitted to protect our students' identities.