COLLIER COUNTY - A local woman goes from homeless to homework and is now graduating with an advanced degree.

Michele Boose has been managing the transitional units for local shelter, St. Matthews House, for three months. But, unlike other employees, Michele once called St. Matthews House, home.

"I was so medicated, I don't even know how I made it through that year," says Boose.

In 2000, Michele was a single mother to two sons. She got hooked on drugs and became homeless.

"There were so many times I didn't know how I was going to buy my kids Christmas presents, how I was going to feed them, and just struggling," says Boose.

But, then she found St. Matthews House.

"They have a set program," says Boose. "The have you get up and go out and get a job and go to 12-step recovery meetings."

Michele got clean, moved into transitional housing, found a full-tie job and decided to go back to school. She earned her undergraduate degree and this weekend will graduate with her MBA from Hodges University.

"It just shows that anyone can do anything they put their mind to," says Boose. "It doesn't matter where you've been, you can overcome it."

Now, Michele is using her story to help others at the very place that once helped her.

Since 2000, Michele got married and is now mom and step-mom to five children.