Incredible surprise for teen living alone since she was 14
A teenager who has been on her own since she was 14 was overwhelmed when her local community banded together to give her a little helping hand in life.
Asria Canada, 18, was gifted a brand-new car donated by members of her community following a lifetime of hardship.
The high school student told Yahoo Lifestyle the gift was extra special after she was born into poverty and her family “struggled to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads”.
Ms Canada, from New Port Richey in Florida, said she decided to live independently at 14 with her parents’ knowledge.
“It has been extremely hard due to not being able to have a job until I was 16 years old,” she said.
“I at first lived with family friends, but I felt like I wasn’t being independent enough, so I left and spent some nights on friends’ couches.
“I would either do some chores or, once I turned 16, I would start paying very cheap rent to whoever would rent me a room.”
Ms Canada got a job as soon as she turned 16, she told ABC 10.
She has been working ever since toward getting her own apartment and being self-sufficient.
After graduating from River Ridge High School in New Port Richey later this year, she plans to go to college, but paying tuition could present another obstacle.
Ms Canada decided to turn to Marjorie’s Hope, a charitable organisation that works to build a strong foundation for children in the community by helping to provide tangible things that are necessary for success.
The non-profit, which Ms Canada learned about from her career specialist, decided that a means of transportation for the college-bound teen would be crucial — but they kept their plan a secret from her.
“I wrote in my essay to Marjorie’s Hope how I struggled getting to school at times, how living as independently as possible has made it hard for me to achieve in school,” Ms Canada told Yahoo Lifestyle.
Teen ‘touches hearts’
Unbeknownst to the teen, a few of her teachers were recruited to carry out the surprise.
“Ms Peterson was in on it asking me how I get to school everyday,” she said.
“Ms McConnell asked my class if we had our IDs or driving licences to see if I would even be able to drive the car.”
When they knew the plan was viable, Marjorie’s Hope teamed up with George’s Wholesale Tire Pros and Friendly Kia to donate a new car to Ms Canada.
They presented the surprise to the teen with red ribbons attached — as well as a free six months of auto insurance and oil changes, according to ABC 10.
“I was shocked and really emotional,” the teen revealed.
“I tried getting a car before but it broke down on me before I was able to register it in my name, so it really meant a lot to me.”
Debi Shackowsky, from Marjorie’s Hope, said Ms Canada’s story had “touched our hearts”.
“She’s been on her own since the age of 14 and couch-hopped and sometimes didn’t know how she was even going to get to school,” she said.
Ms Shackowsky said the organisation also gave Canada a scholarship worth US$2,000 (AU$2,800).
Ms Canada hopes to get accepted to university to complete a degree in atmospheric science and eventually become a meteorologist.
“You will be able to succeed,” the teen said.
“As long as you try.”
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