Brighten Your Day

8-Year-Old Boy, Homeless For Years, Gets His Own Bed For The First Time And Cries Tears Of Joy

January 23, 2018

Credit: Humble Design

In 2012, Dionna Neely lost her job and soon after, her home. She and her son, Daerye, lived in a homeless shelter for years before finally receiving housing.

That's when Humble Design, a Detroit-based charity that furnishes homes with donated goods for people transitioning out of shelters, stepped in.

"After losing her job, this single mother and her 8 year old son became homeless," Humble Design shared in a Facebook video post. "They found refuge at a shelter and eventually received housing. When we visited them earlier this week they just had an air mattress on the ground and a few camp chairs. With the help of volunteers from J.C. Miller Real Estate, we are happy to welcome this family home and just in time for Christmas. We think it might be the best Christmas yet."

In the video below, Daerye sees his furnished room for the first time and cries tears of joy.

Weeks later, Dionna and her son were in for another surprise.

On January 12, Dionna was presented with a check for $10,000 by the U-Haul Company of Detroit, a national partner of Humble Design.

"On behalf of the U-Haul Company of Detroit, and to help you realize your dream of nursing school, I'd like to present you this check for $10,000," said U-Haul's Bill Raines. "Congratulations. ... You're an inspiration to us."

Dionna and Daerye told ABC News that they were very grateful for the experiences.

"We want to thank everyone for all the love and support we have received," Neely said.

Humble Design