From Homeless to Hopeful
Imagine being homeless as a teenager, unsure where your next meal will be, not knowing if you’ll be safe. . .
This is what life was like for Cedric nine years ago.
Growing up, he had a different roof over his head every year. At one point, Cedric, his brother and sister, and his mother were living in a three-bedroom house with two other families. It was chaotic living in a confined space with that many people. It was stressful not knowing how long they would be there, wondering when the day would come that they would have to pack up and move again.
Eventually, they were kicked out, leaving them homeless. It was difficult enough moving from place to place, but now, they didn’t even have a roof over their heads.
Their mother eventually found a place to stay, but there was only enough room for her and their sister—leaving young Cedric and his brother, Omar, all alone. But the Lord provided for them during their time of need. The Story family opened their home to them until they were able to find a stable place.
“Luckily for us, the Story family took us in with open arms and showed us what having a stable home life was like,” shared Cedric. “Shortly after, Omar and I were taken to the Children’s Homes in hopes of a better life.”
For the first time in a long time, Cedric and Omar experienced safety and stability. They had a roof over their heads and food at every meal. House parents, Dane and Dana Davidson, provided a loving, Christ-centered environment where they encouraged Cedric and Omar to flourish and thrive.
Despite experiencing instability and a rough upbringing, Cedric always worked hard in school and stayed on the A/B Honor Roll. His house parents helped him grow in his interest in sports. “Dane and Dana Davidson . . . encouraged me to not only be an honor roll student but also strive to be the best I could be while playing sports,” Cedric shared. The boys both grew very close to the Davidsons, and they truly felt like family to them.
God used the gifts of generous donors to provide a better future to help Cedric achieve his dream—getting a college degree. He was offered a full-ride scholarship to Alabama A&M University, and the support of donors provided him with housing, books, and other living expenses while in college so he could focus on making his dream a reality.
In May of 2022, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. “My five years at AAMU were a roller coaster, but with the strong support I had from the Children’s Homes, I persevered and accomplished my number one goal of finishing college,” said Cedric.
Not only did God use the generosity of donors to provide Cedric and his brother Omar with a better future—it provided them a place to encounter the love of Christ. “ABCH has changed my life not only due to being able to [graduate college] but also with my faith in the Lord. Before coming to the Children’s Homes, I was saved and baptized, and I was able to strengthen my relationship with the Lord . . .”
In August 2022, Dane and Dana officially adopted Cedric and Omar into their family. Dane sees how God was working while they were house parents at ABCH. “All I know is that Dana and I would never have worked for ABCH, let alone adopt two additional sons, if not for really getting to know [God]—seeking His wisdom and guidance.”
Now, Cedric is working as a Manufacturing Engineer at TE Connectivity in Tennessee. “I hope that my story inspires the younger generation that no matter where you begin, anything is possible when you put God first.”
Cedric could not imagine nine years ago where God would lead him . . . that he would achieve his dream of going to college . . . that he would be a thriving engineer . . . that he would finally have a place to call home.