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A mother whose two young children died last month after sleeping in a van the family was sheltering in has been gifted a new home.
According to PEOPLE, the city of Detroit and the Detroit Rescues Ministries presented the keys to a new home for Tateona Williams, 29, and her surviving children.
“The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has stepped in to provide a home for a young mother who tragically lost her two children to hypothermia while facing homelessness,” the organization said in a statement last week. “We extend our deepest gratitude to DRMM leadership for preparing this home with fresh paint, new furniture, appliances, and food to support her healing journey."
Williams and her family garnered national attention last month after her two children, Darnell Currie Jr., 9, and A'millah Currie, 2, died of apparent hypothermia while sleeping in a van parked at the Hollywood Casino. Temperatures were reportedly below 32 degrees the night the family spent in the parking garage. Williams had left her car heater on overnight, but it stopped running, and she didn't notice until the next morning.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan confirmed that Williams' family had previously contacted the city's homeless response team at least three times, seeking shelter.
"I kept calling. I called out of state, cities, different states. I asked Detroit for help," Williams previously said. "And they still would say, when I called, they didn't have no beds. But it took two [of] my kids to die ... for them to want to help."
Now, the family will be able to stay in their new home for free for the next year. Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries said they would conduct check-ins and assist Williams with long-term housing.
"DRMM will step in to help if she struggles — but we expect responsibility and accountability to build toward her independence," the organization said.
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