Atlanta police help family find new home, change their lives

ATLANTA — A family now has a roof over their heads after getting help they didn't expect.

Ebony Rhodes has three sons, a daughter and many reasons to be thankful this Christmas.

Last December her family was living out of her car and she hit rock bottom at a traffic stop.

There were problems with her license, there was no registration so the officer impounded her vehicle and arrested her.

But there was just one problem: To a mother and her four kids, this car meant everything.

“When I got off work, we would just sleep right there in the parking lot in my car,” Rhodes said. “A lot of people didn’t know that because I was still going to work.”

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Several Atlanta officers found out about the family's situation and stepped up with heart, and some great ideas.

Deputy chief Jeff Glazier helped get the car back, find a shelter and then an affordable apartment.

“If we were to let Ebony’s family fail, I think that would be a failure on us,” Glazier said. “I think we all have to come together and help each other out.”

Rhodes has serious health problems, and to make ends meet, her 17-year-old son Calvin goes from his high school to work.

“I work until about 10 or 11,” Calvin said.

“You couldn’t expect an average 17-year-old to do the things he does, and it brings a lot of joy to you it really does. it's really very, very helpful,” said Rhodes said.

APD officers have launched a GoFundMe to cover bills for a year, so the family can "catch up."

“We are more alike than un-alike. We are all in this together,” Glazier said.

“Atlanta police department is my backbone, they help me come a long way,” Rhodes said.

For more on their story, visit their GoFundMe page:

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