Mother who overcame homelessness gets new car

It's a holiday gift that one Valley family never expected, as a mother who overcame homelessness was given the keys to a new car.

For Tomascita James, getting the new car was, in a sense, the end of a long journey, and the start of a new life.

"I don't know if words can describe what I feel right now, but I'm very blessed," said James.

The road to where James is now was not easy.

"When she came to Family Promise, she had really broken down," said Ted Taylor Family Promise. "She had some challenges with addiction."

The organization helped James, a mother of four, to get back on her feet. They found her shelter, as well as a job.

"She became a superstar there," Taylor said. "They love her, and she loves the work."

James said the car will help give her kids a chance to take part in extra activities.

"They were always into sports," said James. "My son, Omar, is a chess player. My son wants to play soccer, and it's just something they didn't do, because we didn't get around in after hours."

State Farm donated the car, and Service King employees volunteered their time, skill, and weekends to restore it.

"In the rat race of our daily life, it's good to have moments like this," said Ryan Downs with Service King.

In a strange coincidence, James said she's owned several used cars before, and just the one gifted to her, all of the her previous cars were white.