Two local families will have plenty of reason to celebrate the new year, thanks to THAW and Wayne County.
The Faison and King families were selected by The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) based on their application, essay and interview with employees of the non-profit.
"I was very, very, very shocked when I saw my name came out of the Santa bag," said Arielle King, a social worker and mother of two young children.
She cried tears of joy after learning her family would be receiving one of two homes that had reverted back to Wayne County through tax foreclosure proceedings.
"I'm not even a crier, so it was very emotional," King told 7 Action News.
"We don't have a place of our own right now, so we'll have a place that's ours," King said. "It'll be our home."
The Faisons will receive the other home when keys are turned over sometime in January. The family of four has been living in a two room flat.
"It gives a base for family to build something more, having a secure and steady home base, we can grow from there," said Jahleel Faison.
The families were selected from more than 200 applicants. Saunteel Jenkins, a former member of Detroit City Council, is now the CEO of THAW. She met with Wayne County Executive Warren Evans earlier this year to seek a partnership to help families.
"I'm over the top happy," Jenkins said. "I feel like it was Christmas for me. This is so exciting."
The homes were rehabbed with more than $100,000 in federal stimulus money with the intention of stabilizing neighborhoods.
"We want to change lives, literally, and what better way to change a life than to provide a stable, well put together home for a family, for two beautiful families," said Jenkins.
