For a time, she lived with her older daughter in North Providence, but then the landlord began to complain. Hermanowski moved to the Pawtucket family shelter, but then was asked to leave after a disagreement with the staff, she said. All the while, she was searching for an apartment she could afford. She came to Welcome Arnold two weeks ago, but she doesn't plan to stay for long. The shelter takes people who need a place to sleep, with few exceptions.
Some clients have criminal backgrounds, or alcohol and drug problems.
The rules are strict. All the adults are searched at the door. On most nights, Hermanowski and Michael eat their dinner alone while the men and women wash upstairs. After dinner, they can't leave their rooms for the rest of the night. So Hermanowski gathers some bananas and juice from the kitchen in case Michael gets hungry during the night.