Nicole Smith went back to school, and at Archbishop Hannan High in Covington, her smile was matched by members of the campus ministry.

"God bless y'all,” said Nicole Smith, a New Orleans resident, to group of students.

The students showed the single mother of six the bags and boxes of items the students had collected for her family, from food to kitchen utensils, towels, even a bed and a set of bunk beds. They knew Nicole was starting over after losing everything. They didn't know her family had so few possessions that some were sleeping on the floor.

"All of these things, the bunk beds and all are a help, it really is, and God knows I really appreciate it. It's a lot of help, and we’s gonna be off the floor,” she said.

“Well, our whole school helped, but we brought in like blankets and pillows, and just like sweatshirts and stuff, because we felt it was getting cold outside,” said Renee Armstrong, an Archbishop Hannan High senior.

The students heard about Nicole through the Adopt A Family program, which matches those who want to help with families starting over.

"No cash changes hands. What we ask you to do is network with your family and friends and co-workers to raise second- hand household items, and then deliver it to the family you're helping, and then actually meet the family you're helping and see where your efforts went,” said Kevin Buckel, Adopt A Family founder.

Adopt A Family also linked Courtney St. Germain with Terez Leonard. Terez and her two-year-old son Malachi had been living in a homeless shelter for six months, and moved into an apartment.

"I had to get my son used to being in a shelter, you know, and I was used to being in my own place, and I had to be in a shelter, but I got through it, and now I know how to appreciate what I have now,” said Terez Leonard, a Metairie resident.

Courtney's friends and family donated items they no longer need, but Terez does. This is the seventh family Courtney has adopted.

"It melts my heart, she was very appreciative, and thankful, and hugged me, and it just makes you feel good. I'm glad to be able to help,” said Courtney St. Germain.

While two families received help Friday, Adopt A Family founder Kevin Buckel called me because he knows there are many other families that still need help as they are starting over.

"We're getting a steady stream of phone calls now from the homeless organizations, and what we need is families, and businesses or schools to sign up for the program,” said Buckel.

"Now I have things to start me off. A lot of the things that they brought I didn't expect it,” said Leonard. This week Terez completes course work in her nursing program, and starts her new career.