Mom gets new home just in time for the holidays
MIAMI - A single mother will be home for the holidays with a lot of hard work and the help of several non-profit organizations.
On Tuesday, that mother, Tanya, a teacher, walked into her new home in Liberty City, overcome with emotion.
The house will give Tanya and her son a new beginning with the help of former NFL player Warrick Dunn, Aaron's, and Habitat for Humanity.
Along with helping Tanya qualify for the home, she was also given money towards the down payment and gifted $10,000 in furniture, food, and presents for her son.
To date, Warrick has helped more than 200 people get into new homes. He says it was his own mother who inspired him to give back.
"Living out my mom's dream through other single-parent families. At first, it was just single mothers now we also help single fathers so we help single-parent families,' said Warrick.
Helping Tanya with this home is much needed, says Warrick. Home prices in South Florida have skyrocketed in the last few years.
"This area is really expensive. You know, low income. Median income $33,000. So it's a struggle for a lot of individuals," he said.
Warrick says giving back and creating a new life for this family is a joy this holiday season.
"Those are memories and those things that I will later on tonight. You know next week, Christmas, those are things that I reflect on and I'm always thankful for," he said.
A home this mother will be able to call her own this Christmas and for years to come.
"We're trying to set a path where we're solving problems in society," said Warrick.