Keys to a new life: Jimmie Hale Mission gifts cars to families in need
They say you can鈥檛 put a price on freedom 鈥� but Friday evening in Birmingham, it came with four wheels and a full tank of hope.
In a symbolic 鈥淪igning Title Over鈥� ceremony, the Jimmie Hale Mission, in partnership with Driving Hope Ministries, gifted three refurbished vehicles to local families in need. The initiative aims to provide reliable transportation to help recipients access work, school, and essential resources.
The ceremony, held at the Shepura Men鈥檚 Center, marked a major milestone for recipients like Sabrina Furlow, who hadn鈥檛 driven in years.
鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 happen where you get a free car!鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very appreciative鈥� I鈥檓 trying not to cry. This will help me progress.鈥�
Vandella Jackson, another recipient, said the car will be life-changing for her and her children.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to use Uber anymore. I don鈥檛 have to walk anymore,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y babies have a way to get around. We鈥檙e safe.鈥�
Jackson said her children didn鈥檛 know they were getting a car 鈥� a surprise that brought smiles all around.
鈥淚 cried when I got the notice,鈥� she said. 鈥淕od answered my prayers. Nobody knows how much I prayed for Jimmie Hale and Jessie鈥檚 Place.鈥�
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Roger Brown, president of Driving Hope Ministries, refurbishes the vehicles himself. He sees his work not just as a profession, but a calling.
鈥淏eing a Christian, we鈥檙e called to take our gifts and give to others,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his adds a layer of fulfillment and completeness 鈥� devoting time and energy to something bigger than yourself.鈥�
So far, nearly 30 vehicles have been donated, restored, and given away through the program 鈥� each one representing more than just transportation.
For these families, it鈥檚 about independence. Stability. A seatbelt-wrapped second chance.
鈥淭hese aren鈥檛 just cars,鈥� Furlow said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e lifelines.鈥�