A few years ago Lisa Moreno was in a seemingly hopeless situation.

She and her children were living in a tent in a gulch. Moreno was caught in the grip of drug and alcohol addiction.

It's a stark contrast to where the 40-year-old single mother of five is now. Today, Moreno is drug-free, has a full-time job and lives with her children in a transitional shelter. She has vowed to provide more for her family and to never return to her old life of drugs.

"It feels really good," she said. "My kids love that their mom is working and providing for them. ... This is the best time of my life because I am a provider."

Although the family is in a significantly better situation, Moreno and her children still need help to get by. She said they're living paycheck to paycheck and receive food stamps.

It's always at the end of the month that the family struggles the most, she said. Moreno stresses to her children to take care of what belongings they have because she may not have the money to replace them, even if it's just a pair of slippers.

In all, it's been tough to support five children, ages 13, 16 (twins), 17 and 19. Moreno's 19-year-old son can't wait to graduate from high school next year so he can work to help contribute to the family, she said.

"Money is hard," she said. "There are times when we barely have anything to eat. But I try my best, and we're still alive and we're together. Even if we have to eat saimin for a month, we're together and that's what counts.

"Every day is a different experience, and it's how we pull through together as a family that makes us stronger."

In a twist of irony, Moreno's job at Kmart is across the street from a drug treatment facility and a shelter. She sees the clients outside, some lying on the ground. She reminds herself that she was once in that situation.

"I look at them to remember where I was before," she said. "And I never want to be there again."

Moreno and her family traveled a long, painful road to get where they are today.

She and the father of her children had already been on marijuana and crystal methamphetamine when the rent on their house increased. Unable to pay the bills, the family was eventually evicted. After living with a couple of relatives for a few months, they became homeless.

The family lived in a van, moving from beach to beach for a year until Moreno lost the vehicle. The only option she could think of was to move the family to a gulch, where they lived in a tent for two years. It was a "horrendous" experience, she said. At one point, the rain washed away their tent.

It was then that Moreno had enough. She called state child protection officials for help, gave up her children to foster care, and entered treatment. The day she began treatment signaled the end of her relationship with her children's father, she said.

After completing treatment and living in a clean and sober home, Moreno moved in to an emergency shelter and was reunited with her children.

She's been working full time for about a year and a half and has been sober for 2 1/2 years.

"My focus is to maintain my job, my housing, to keep the kids educated and make enough money to survive every day," she said.

And Moreno said she's constantly warning her children about the dangers of drugs.

"I just have to teach them that I went the wrong way my whole life, and it's not the way to go ... because I'm struggling," she said. "But you know what? Right now, my life is going good. After everything I'm going through, my life is good."

This Christmas, Moreno would like for her family to have some new clothes, shoes, pillows and blankets. Her children are asking for CDs and DVDs and, if possible, MP3 players.

Moreno's 13-year-old daughter wears a size 18W pants, 2XX shirt/dress, and 12 wide shoes. Her 16-year-old twin boys wear a size 40 pants, 2XX shirt and 11 wide shoes; her 17-year-old son wears a size 42 pants, 3X shirt and 11 wide shoes; and her 19-year-old son wears a size 38 pants, 2XX shirt and 10 1/2 shoes.

Moreno wears extra-large pants and shirt/dress and 8 1/2 wide shoes (she would appreciate black walking shoes for work).

RECENT CHRISTMAS FUND DONATIONS

The Lyman grandchildren, in memory of grandma Ginette K. Lyman — $200

William Harold Roome — $200

C.I. Williamson Mulford & V.W. Mulford in memory of Abbie Aulani Mahoe — $200

Susan and Michael Carreiro — $150

Kelvin and Esther Chee, in memory of Clifford M.S. Chee and Rose S. Chee — $150

Cheryl Chavez — $100

Gayle Harimoto — $100

Edward and Amanda Keopuhiwa — $100

The Lendio Family — $100

John and Karen Pape — $100

Shari and Mason, in memory of Masato & Dorothy Endo — $100

Roy & Carolyn Nakasato — $75

William and Sara Barnes — $50

Louise Kojima — $50

Pat Meyers, in honor of Grace and Frank Altern — $50

Lyndon and Melona Yoshioka — $50

Jeanne Teleia — $30

Austin Hirstein — $25

Ansley Hirstein — $25

Randie Ishikawa — $25

Jackie Kam — $25

Russell Kam — $25

Keane T. — $25

Keith N. — $25

Kevin T. — $25

Camille Larkins — $25

Phoebe Larkins — $25

James C. Lin — $25

Samira Norman, in memory of my sons Norman and Fred — $25

Kristy Shigemoto — $25

Michael Shigemoto — $25

Jackie Shigemoto — $25

Travis Suzawa — $25

Matt Suzawa — $25

Harrison Spiegelberg — $25

Wayne T. — $25

Shelly Welinder — $25

Anonymous — $150

Anonymous — $100

Anonymous — $100

Anonymous — $50

Total — $ 2,705

Previous total — $ 110,860.78

Total to date — $ 113,565.78

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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