(CBS 5) In a few short months, Marlinda Francis will get full custody of her young son, after drug problems landed her in jail and she had to start all over.

"I was addicted to crack and alcohol and I really wanted help," she says straightforwardly.

When she got out of jail, Marlinda tried a group home, but her new job conflicted with mandatory house meetings. So she called Gwen Strain at the Rose Home.

"I explained to Ms. Gwen my situation and she goes, 'Come on in!'" Marlinda says with a smile. "I said, 'You know I have a baby,' and she goes, 'Ok still come on in!'"

Gwen knew exactly what Marlinda was facing when she talked about starting a new life.

"I used to be homeless," says Gwen. "I did drugs, slept in burnt buildings, I've been in cars. I begged for money. I dumpster dived. I ate out of garbage cans. So I've done it."

As a young woman, Gwen says she turned away from her parents' sound lessons and towards crime and drugs. She lived on the street for seven years until her religious faith guided her into rehab and a good job. When her mother passed away, Gwen used her inheritance to start Project F.I.N. - for Families in Need - and opened the Rose Home in San Francisco, named for her mother.

"I wanted to give back to the community which the community gave me," she explains. "Somebody took time out of their lives to help me."

Gwen created Rose Home to give women a place to live, plus counseling, job training, parenting classes, and help with addiction. Residents help with other Project F.I.N. programs, like feeding the homeless and handing out warm clothes.

"Seeing women on the street, knowing it was hard, and knowing that the help is not there, it was in my heart, I had to," Gwen says.

"It's not like she just went to school for it, she's actually been where we have been," says Marlinda.

Now Gwen needs some help herself. There's only enough money left to run the Rose Home for the rest of this month. To contribute, use the links on the right.

Gwen says, " I want to see these women through. I want to see their families together. I want to see their kids laughing."

So for her commitment to giving other women and families a fresh start, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Gwen Strain.

By Kate Kelly

Related Links:

Project F.I.N. & The Rose Home

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