DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit-area mother who spent two years homeless while working to support her nine children received an unexpected gift that will help transform her family's life.

Watch Carolyn Clifford's video report: Once homeless, mother of nine surprised with car donation from Detroit nonprofit

Vanessa Rodriguez, a mother of nine children ranging from 4 to 22 years old, has been cleaning hotel rooms while struggling with homelessness for the past two and a half years. After losing her job, Rodriguez fell behind on rent and found herself moving between hotels and couch surfing with her family.

"I lost my job and ended up falling behind in rent," Rodriguez said.

WXYZ-TV

Her husband, Donald Williams, is disabled after being hit by a drunk driver in 2007, leaving one of his legs

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