MIAMI — Good news is living and powerful in South Florida, and it can be found even in the midst of adversity.

Oneka Davis is an example of that.

She’s a mom whose love and perseverance carried her family through the darkest of times.

Three years ago, the 38-year-old mother of six girls was abandoned by the person she trusted most.

“My husband decided he no longer wanted to pay bills. He no longer wanted to help,” Oneka said. “So he packed up and he left me with our daughters.”

He also left them without a home. Oneka’s salary as a full-time county track repair technician wasn’t enough to cover the rent.

“We stayed at hotels,” she said. “From there, it was back to square one, living out of my car.”

“Your daughters are with you in your car?” Local 10’s Mayte Padron asked.

“Yes,” Oneka said.

“So, it’s you and your six daughters?” Padron asked.

“Yes,” Oneka responded.

Oneka’s daughter, Melanie, 15, shared what it was like for her.

“At first, I didn’t understand. I was very confused,” she said. “It was very hard. We would search for a place, but then they would turn us down.”

The family lived this way for 2 1/2 years. And during that time, they were hit by another crisis. Oneka’s youngest daughter, Noa, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“She had brain surgery at 3 years old,” Oneka said. “Everything was removed successfully.”

“She made it through. She’s healthy,” Oneka added.

And it was the love of family and love of community that changed the course of the family’s lives.

“My union got involved and my union reached out to Chapman Partnership and Chapman immediately stepped in to help,” Oneka said.

Chapman Partnership is a leading emergency housing provider in Miami-Dade County.

“We are just incredibly blessed to be able to help families, like Oneka and her family, to transition themselves very rapidly into stable housing,” Kavaja Sarduy, Vice President of Operations for Chapman Partnership, said.

“I am so thankful to have a roof over my head, to be able not to worry about them being safe. I know that they are safe,” Oneka said.

Natalia, Melanie, Paris, Hazel, Justise and little Noa are indeed safe, happy and very grateful for their mom.

“Mom, I want to tell you that you are a vessel in my life and I love you dearly,” Natalia said.

This is only the first chapter in Oneka’s story and we hope to bring you another update soon.

Until then, it’s important to point out that Oneka does not receive any government assistance -- not for food or for rent.

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