Until about a year ago, Corvin was a car salesman. His wife, Tena, drove a commercial truck but lost her job around the same time. Tena says she and her husband have been living in this tent city since then. Though they have three grown children, Tena says none of their kids know they're homeless. "I have a 35-year-old son, and he doesn't know. I call him, about once a month and on holidays, to let him know that I'm well and healthy," she says. "He would love me anyway, but I don't want to worry him."

Lisa says this is a common story among the homeless in Sacramento. "We met a number of people who have kids, but they don't want them to know," she says. "They don't want to burden their children."