(NewsNation) — Students at Louisa County High School in Virginia roll up their sleeves in an auto program as they learn to repair and restore cars as part of their curriculum.
They later gift those cars to single mothers in need through an organization called Giving Words. The school’s program, in partnership with Giving Words, has gifted more than 60 cars to families.
Eddie Brown, the founder of the organization, said he was inspired to start it because of an experience he and his wife lived through. As single parents before they met, they both struggled with getting reliable transportation.
“Luckily, we had the support of family that was able to step in and help us,” Brown told NewsNation.
He added that he had mechanical skills and would fix the cars of his children’s friends when needed, which also prompted him to start the program.
“I could multiply what I was doing in my driveway by doing it in the school system,” Brown said. “Doing that also builds character and empathy in our youth because the students work on the car and get it prepared, and we actually bring the mom and her family into the school system so those students can see that process of what their work has done within the community.”
Jessica Radar, one of the recipients of a car worked on by the students in the program, said it helped her “in so many ways,” pointing to the kindness the students in the program showed her.
“Because of Giving Words and what they did, I was not only able to start a job and provide safe transportation back and forth to daycare for my youngest son, but I could also get my other two kids from school,” Radar said. “I also now have custody back of two of my three children.”
Radar added seeing the students’ generosity on display was “just awesome.”
In the future, Brown said he hopes to see the program expand more.