Children who were homeless just months ago now have a roof over their head, and an opportunity to learn. It’s a traveling pre-school for leeward families trying to get ahead.

Four months ago, Nikki Clark and her three sons were homeless. They were one of the first families to move into the Onelau'ena transitional shelter at Kalaeloa and first to celebrate the start of a free traveling preschool.

“They're usually at home doing nothing, usually have nothing to do so when we heard this was going to start up, we were excited. We couldn't wait,” said Clark. “He hears there's school down here, he's ready. He tells me, Mom. Let's go school.”

Kapa'alana Preschool is a joint project of Partners in Development, Department of Human Services, and Kamehameha School.

“We all want the same things for them. We all want them to succeed in school and to succeed in life,” said Henry Oliva, with the Department of Human Services.

“Now start to see their children as valuable individuals which will be the leaders of our future. How do we want our future to look like I ask them and they say Aunty, I'm looking at them everyday,” said Kanani Bulawan, with Ka Pa’alana.

Holomua Elementary students pitched in boxes of goodies for the kids that'll come in handy for their studies.

“He wants to be a fireman and I think this school starts him out learning about other things instead of just watching TV so it's a good thing. He likes it. I like it. I'm glad they have this down here,” said Clark.

For families like the Clarkes, it could be the hand up to a better life. They're now looking to move out of the transitional shelter, into their own home.