Like so many other Americans, the Costello family was living paycheck to paycheck. That was until, short on cash, they turned to a high-interest loan. One loan became two and next thing they knew, they were evicted, homeless and saddled with debt.

"You get so far behind on those. It's a killer," said Daniel Costello, a married father of two. "It's a never-ending cycle."

Daniel and his wife, Esther, were able to break the cycle thanks to Roseville Home Start, a nonprofit that helps families get back on their feet financially and learn healthy habits.

"It's almost like having a second chance at everything," Daniel Costello said.

In June 2009, the family started Home Start's two-year program, living in one of 27 rooms at Home Start's converted motel.

Daniel continued to work his job. In the evenings, he and his wife took the program's mandatory on-site parenting, budgeting, computer and life skills classes taught by volunteers.

"It was tough at first having rules and structure," said Esther Costello, who added that she adjusted after two or three months.

Meanwhile, the children attended mandatory after-school tutoring.

"A lot of the kids get behind in their schoolwork because they are moving around," said Jenni Toedtemeier, outreach and development manager for the program. "We try to catch them up and get them interested in school."

The tutoring takes place in a playfully decorated learning center. Owls, Mother Goose, trees and curious creatures grace the walls. Tubs of books sit along one wall, computers along another.

Home Start is asking Book of Dreams readers to help update the center with new bookshelves, books, furnishings and other resources.

The books will keep benefiting another family, Rosa Sanchez and her eight children. She said her children have gone from the middle of the pack to being A students.

"To me, it's a second chance to get things right," Sanchez said.

The Costellos graduated in June. They bought their first home, and both are taking college classes.

"We are tired of working dead-end jobs," Daniel Costello said.

Needed: Furnishings and supplies for Roseville Home Start's learning center. Total: $5,000

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