The Torres family was on the brink of homelessness. A disagreement with the landlord forced them to spend three sweltering summer months without electricity; they faced eviction from their home; and medical conditions rendered both parents unable to work. Just before Thanksgiving, word of the family’s plight spread through the Avalon Park community.

Mei Yao spent 20 years in the Navy, eventually graduating to chief petty officer. But an incident with a superior officer had her dishonorably discharged in 1990.