Christmas comes early for a family in Shreveport

Dec. 9, 2009
From KTBS news in Shreveport, LA

Read the original story here. | Watch the video here.

Christmas has come early for a Shreveport woman who’s been struggling for years to raise her seven children all by herself. She’s never needed anyone’s help, until now.

Yolanda Braziel has always been the one to give. Now she’s finally getting what so many say she deserves. This winter has not been kind to Braziel. With no central heat in her house, she, her seven kids and 4-month old grandbaby, struggle to stay warm using the stove, and sometimes an electric heater.

Braziel had always prided herself on not relying on anybody but herself to raise her family, but that all changed when she got laid off a year ago. Just when she was about to lose all hope, there was a knock at the door. Someone had called Shreveport Police and asked them if there was anything they could do to help.

A few phone calls later and the help came pouring in. Wilbert Williams and fellow members of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church have pledged hundreds of dollars to help the family. Calvin and Deloris Johnson with C.J. Enterprises donated $1,000 and have challenged other businesses to do the same. Richard Rascoe with Whitlock Plumbing is helping by fixing all the leaky faucets.

The much needed help is just a temporary fix though. Lee Jeter with the Fuller Center for Housing says he’s already started working with Braziel to help get her qualified for a new house.

Read this follow-up story about Braziel partnering with The Fuller Center to own a home.
(Added Feb. 22, 2010.)

Learn more about The Fuller Center of Northwest Louisiana here.