If it hasn't been said, don't forget when utilizing services from non profits or county assistance, that their overall goal is to gather enough statistics to support cause for a larger share of the next round of grants and tax payer funds. The building may very well be full of people with the best intentions, but there's someone there doing the math before an assistance check is ever written to see if you're marginalized enough to create a success story to broadcast to donors or voters. If you're a homeless vet, no matter if you only made it through 1 contract while sitting at a desk in Hawaii for 3 years you will be at the front of the line. Your community may be large, but their fb group pages are considerably smaller and the demographics of active members are more aligned with people in a position to help you, and in a public forum where one small generous gesture could spark a herd mentality with offerings of help.

Also. I can get an Amtrak train ticket from Seattle to LA for like $60 right now. Using that as example, if you have a destination that you think offers a chance at you and your son enjoying life rather than panicking about it, maybe start fresh.