In Adversity, Pieces of Home Since 1911, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund has helped struggling New Yorkers, including those who have lost shelter or those on the verge of losing their homes. Several of the people profiled in the 100th campaign were asked to share personal items that signified home or offered comfort, refuge and hope during hard times. Paul Morpeau Paul Morpeau and his family lost everything in the earthquake that devastated Haiti in January 2010. After they moved to New York, Mr. Morpeau learned that his son, Danielo, now 14, had leukemia. Around the time his son was released from the hospital, Mr. Morpeau's employment authorization card expired and he lost his job. The family fell behind on rent. Piece of Home: Holy Bible "You have to fill your mind every day with the words of Jesus Christ," Mr. Morpeau said. When you believe in God, this keeps you away from the bad things. Read his story here. Tiffany Tyler In 2010, when Tiffany Tyler was out of work, she fell behind on rent. Previously homeless in 2001, she now has an apartment and is determined to find steady work to support her son. Piece of Home: Apartment key "If you have a key, you know you have somewhere to go, somewhere to rest your head," Ms. Tyler said. This is everything for us. God forbid I was to lose my apartment. We don't have anywhere to go and we'd be back in the homeless shelter system, and I don't want to go back to that. Read her story here. Fawzi Hasab and Zahra Nahim Fawzi Hasab and Zahra Nahim left their home in Iraq and moved to New York after they lost their two sons to sectarian violence in Baghdad, where their car and home were bombed in 2008. Piece of Home: Native dishes "This is like a treatment for our sadness," Mr. Hasab said of sharing meals with new friends. We like when people come. We feel like we're in a family. Like we have family. Read and watch their story here. Jose Perez Jose Perez bought his dream home on Staten Island in 2007, but flooding and sewage problems led to $40,000 worth of damage. While working three jobs to try to make the needed repairs, he was struck by renal failure and is now unable to work. Piece of Home: Family residence I never thought I would be able to own a home. I lived in an apartment pretty much all my life," Mr. Perez said. You build this nest so that your family can be comfortable. My wife and my kids are my lifeline. Mariya Vakhlis When a fire swept through Mariya Vakhlis's home of 20 years last February, all of her worldly possessions were destroyed except for a blanket from her native Belarus and a photo album of relatives lost to the Nazis during World War II. Piece of Home: Photo album "This is my life," Ms. Vakhlis said of the album, which contains a little over 30 photos. After the war, I gathered photos from wherever I could. The only memories I have from home are in this album. I often pull out the photo album and talk to my relatives. Dianuris Ortiz After her mother's death, Dianuris Ortiz experienced turbulent living situations before being moved around in the foster care system at 15. Using school as an escape, she excelled academically. Now 21 years old, she attends John Jay College. Piece of Home: Blanket It reminds me of my godmother and how happy I was in her home, when I had nothing to worry about. The same way babies have pacifiers, this is my pacifier," Ms. Ortiz said. Without it, I'll feel incomplete.