Kamela’s Hope in the Midst of Pain
Life can change in an instant. For Kamela, our 54th client, that moment came around the holidays last year. One day, she was a stay-at-home mom relying on her husband to provide financially for their family, and the next, she was navigating the unthinkable grief of losing him to a drunk driver.
In the wake of that tragedy, Kamela didn’t just survive; she fought. Suddenly the sole provider for her two children, she re-entered the workforce with determination. She secured not just one job, but TWO, and committed to building a new future for her family.
However, the drunk driving accident that took her husband also totaled their family vehicle. This left Kamela in a vulnerable position. To provide for her children, she had to walk nearly 30 minutes to work, sometimes making the trek home late at night in the dark. Simple tasks like grocery runs or getting the kids to doctor's appointments became major logistical hurdles.
Jon, our photographer, with Kamela’s two kids. The video camera nearly stole the show!
A Partnership of Hope
This is where community stepped in. Kamela was nominated to OnRamp DFW by Kelsey from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Kelsey has walked alongside Kamela for the last year, helping her navigate the criminal trial and her grief. In her nomination, Kelsey described Kamela as “a strong, motivated woman who gets out of bed every day to be the best mother she can be,” despite the tragedy she has endured.
The Giveaway Day
The OnRamp DFW team gathered once again at the Garland Tax Office to step into Kamela's story. The atmosphere was heavy with emotion but bright with hope.
Hope that there is a future for Kamela, and hope that despite the pain of loss, God is still good and loves us. It was incredibly moving to see Kamela surrounded by her support system, including her older brother, who stood by her side as a pillar of strength.
This gift was made possible thanks to the generosity of all our donors, and specifically one donor who gave us the car we gifted to Kamela! This car represents far more than just metal and rubber! It means safety. No more walking home in the dark after a long shift. It means growth. Kamela can now pursue her goal of moving up and on. It means childhood. Kamela’s daughter wants to start dance, and her young son wants to try out boxing. These things are now possible with the added time and safety that a vehicle can provide.
Kamela is a woman of deep faith in Jesus who is determined to reclaim independence for her family. We are honored to be a pit stop on her journey.
Story shared with client’s permission
Photos by Jon Dunlop
