A Detroit mother who lost two of her children to apparent hypothermia while living in a van has been gifted a new home.
Tateona Williams, who had been staying in a shelter, received the fully furnished home on Wednesday thanks to the efforts of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) and city officials. The gift comes after the heartbreaking deaths of her 9-year-old son, Darnell Currie Jr., and 2-year-old daughter, A’millah Currie, who froze to death in a cold van on February 10.
Upon hearing Williams’ story, DRMM President and CEO Chad Audi coordinated with the city to provide the home, covering rent for a full year and ensuring it was stocked with food.
“We were saddened by hearing about what happened, and we decided to put things in action, not to talk about it,” Audi said. “We prepared this house… We had to fix it, prep it, furnish it. Then, I give them a good start, so they don’t have to go one day with no food or being outside—at all anymore.”
Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, along with police commissioners Daryl Woods and Tamara Smith, joined Williams in a blessing and prayer as she received the keys to her new home.
Despite the unimaginable loss, Williams expressed deep appreciation for the support she has received.
“I might not look like it, but I am [happy],” she said. “I really appreciate everything everybody has done for me here.”
In the wake of this tragedy, Detroit officials have vowed to improve outreach efforts for the homeless. Mayor Mike Duggan admitted that Williams had contacted the city in November, stating her temporary housing was about to expire, but no one followed up, and she did not call again.
“This cannot ever happen again,” Duggan said. “This is something that’s going to be hard to accept for a long time, that we had the [shelter] beds in place.”
The city is now reviewing its response procedures and expanding emergency housing services, including 24-hour monitoring for those living in vehicles and a round-the-clock housing hotline.
