At the moment, Shepherd's Cove Women's Shelter in Capitol Heights, Md. is the place Artina Mcrae and her family calls home. She worked security for 10 years. When the company folded, she lost her job and ended up in a shelter with her five kids.
"Our first night here, my five-year-old wanted to go home," says Mcrae. "He was like, 'Why? Did somebody steal our apartment?' And that hurt because I felt like I failed my kids."
Six months have passed. The kids have adjusted to sleeping dormitory-style.
They received a visit Tuesday from actor Jermaine Crawford. He grew up in Bowie. He presented Mcrae's family with tickets to an inaugural ball.
Crawford played a homeless teen on the hit HBO show "The Wire." He researched the role by talking with homeless kids.
"I started to say to myself, 'These kids are just like me. They're just like me,"' says Crawford.
That is why he started a non-profit called Code Blue. They are organizing the H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball. It will take place Sunday at Howard Theater. They are raising money to open an emergency shelter for homeless teens. The first in Prince George's County.
Mcrae is working part-time and has applied for 100 full-time jobs. She has saved enough money to pay the security deposit for an apartment. She hopes to move her family out of the shelter soon. But she says she will be back - not as a resident - but as a volunteer or employee.
"Just like they gave to me, I want to give to them," she says.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones.
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones, impacting the entrances for homeowners and tenants.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:10:09 GMT
AP photo
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:33:47 GMT
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
