True Life › Ep.

This episode of True Life follows three young people trying to overcome the harsh reality of living in some of the most notorious neighborhoods in the United States: the projects. Dino has lived his entire life in Los Angeles' gang-infested projects. In fact, he's only ever slept two places: the projects and jail. However, after the death of his mother, he's made an attempt to turn his life around by working a legitimate job and setting a positive example for his nephew. Because he still lives in the projects, Dino is constantly tempted to return to gang life, especially when one of his friends is shot. He has to work his hardest to resist his desire to retaliate, keep himself out of jail, and continue on his path out of the projects.

Vikki was born and raised in the Chicago projects and her only goal in life is to move out. Her boyfriend was murdered in those projects and nothing good has ever come of her living there. However, as a clerk at Borders, Vikki will have to find a new job before she can afford to move. There's a new hotel opening that Vikki thinks will provide her with a better paying job, but will they take a chance on a girl from the projects?

Jen is a single mother of two young boys who struggles every month to make ends meet, even living in subsidized housing. She's attending nursing school so her family can one day have a better life. But for the time being, she's had to pawn the deed to her car in order to pay her rent on time and is even considering stripping. She wants to one day be able to move her kids to a safer environment, but is not sure when or if that day will ever come.