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Steering Toward Success: A Car Donation Opens Doors for a Determined Mother
- Emily Ennochs
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
It takes a community to run a nonprofit, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the passionate community that supports ours at Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC). VAWFSC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to housing pregnant women and their children experiencing homelessness for two years. But more than that, we offer a pathway to stability, dignity, and independence through our holistic housing and person-first approach.
One recent act of generosity beautifully reflects that mission, and we couldn’t be more proud to share it with you.
Linda Fearnley, resident of Gainesville, has been following VAWFSC since our doors first opened in 2016. Over the years, championed our mission through service projects when we first opened, and by sharing our stories with those in the community.
So when she inherited her late father’s car, she saw an opportunity to make a direct impact.
Her father, a longtime minister, had passed away a few years prior, leaving behind a car that sat unused. Rather than sell it, Linda knew she wanted to donate it to a cause that was near and dear to his heart and aligned with his legacy. “This is what my father would’ve wanted,” she shared. “He always gave. He believed in supporting women and children, and I want to carry that forward.” Inspired by her father's spirit of giving, Linda reached out to see if the car could help one of the moms in our program.
She knew that the car needed a little love to make it road-ready after it had sat for a few years, and knew she couldn’t do it on her own, but she knew just who to call... John Filippone. Around here, everyone knows that if anyone can get the job done, it’s John.
To bring the car back to life, Linda turned to someone who’s been part of our VAWFSC family for years - John Filippone, Managing Partner of Piedmont Tire and Auto.
John is more than a local business owner. He’s been a steady, behind-the-scenes supporter of the moms we serve. Year after year, he and his team offer free car repairs to our residents, helping remove one of their barriers to stability. Every December, John hosts a massive Christmas party for the women and children in our program. It's the kind of day you don’t forget. It truly feels like Santa came to town. The kids unwrap handfuls of gifts, brand-new, thoughtful items from their actual wishlists. For many of them, it’s the first time they’ve experienced a Christmas like that.
So when Linda shared her idea with John, he didn’t hesitate. He generously donated more than $5,000 worth of parts, on top of endless hours of labor. John and his team cleaned, fixed, and completely replaced the brakes, tires, exhaust, and so much more. One of the members on his team even went and filled up the tank with gas and bought an Ozone machine to get rid of any remaining scent.
Now, that car is going to Nora, one of our residents.
Nora moved to Virginia from Ethiopia and has been a resident at VAWFSC since 2024. She is working toward becoming a nurse at the Birmingham Green Nursing Assistant Program. During her time at VAWFSC, she has checked off all boxes for her benchmark every week: keeping her room tidy, attending all her classes, completing all her volunteer hours, and more. She completes all of her tasks weeks and months ahead of their due dates, and is extremely motivated to succeed. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic are the driving force behind getting one step closer toward her goals and we couldn’t be more proud of her efforts.
This car will change so much for Nora. Until now, she’s relied on public transportation and the kindness of others to get to her nursing classes, volunteer shifts, and appointments. Having her own car means freedom, no more hours spent waiting for buses, no more worrying if she’ll miss an opportunity because of a ride that fell through. It means she can focus on what truly matters. It means she can:
Get to early-morning clinicals and late shifts without juggling multiple bus transfers or risking missed hours.
Take her child to medical appointments on time, without relying on expensive rideshares.
Say ‘yes’ to extra shifts, interviews, and last-minute opportunities.
Grocery shop where prices are lower, not just where the bus line goes.
Save hours every week that she can put back into school, work, and parenting.
…and so much more.
Transportation is often one of the last stubborn barriers for moms working hard to rebuild their lives. Removing it accelerates everything - stability, income, graduation, and independence.
Because Linda honored her father’s legacy, and because John Filippone and his team showed up like they always do, Nora’s next steps are easier to reach. This car doesn’t just drive, but changes the direction of Nora’s life.
If you’re reading this, it’s for a reason. Stories like this happen because people step in, people like Linda, John, and supporters like you. If you want to be part of stories like this, there are real, tangible ways to help. Volunteer. Sponsor a class. Donate a vehicle. Or become a Cycle Breaker at vawfsc.org/cycle with a monthly gift of $20 or more. We currently have 140 more moms on our waitlist than we can house, and your support moves them from waiting to thriving.
Learn more at vawfsc.org. Thank you for being part of this community.