By Peter Mongillo

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

For many people, a 17-year-old automobile competence not appear desirable, though for Katie Cortez, it’s life-changing a present that will benefit her move closer to realizing her mental condition of on condition that a safe, permanent home for herself and her 6-month-old son, Kyran.

“I’m in disbelief,” Cortez, who was exhausted after staying up all night with her teething baby, pronounced Friday when she received the car. “This is the greatest thing I could ever ask for; I’m unequivocally blessed.”

Cortez and her son are part of the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring campaign, which helps 10 featured family groups in need and hundreds like them through local nonprofit agencies.

When Larry and Denise Jantzen of Cedar Park review about Cortez, who grew up in foster care, they motionless to present the additional vehicle they not prolonged ago had purchased from his mother. Except for a couple of leaves on the windshield, the automobile is in inexperienced condition. With only 33,000 miles logged, the 1994 four-door Oldsmobile Cutlass will go a prolonged approach in assisting Cortez get to her Austin Community College classes and in transporting Kyran.

“I suspicion this would be great for you,” Denise Jantzen pronounced to Cortez. “You need a automobile with your small boy.”

Denise Jantzen, a center school teacher, and Larry Jantzen, a firefighter, are Austin natives. With children and grandchildren of their own, Jantzen told Cortez that she accepted what it was like to go through college whilst caring for a baby. They also gave Cortez a monetary concession to benefit with gas and insurance for the car. Another reader has since money for driver‘s preparation classes. A automobile seat for Kyran also has been donated.

“I can’t wait for to get my driver’s license,” Cortez said, fighting behind tears. “When you go through encourage care, they do not learn you how to drive.”

In January, Cortez will come in her second division of college. She’s posterior a grade in amicable work, not usually to benefit herself and her son have better lives, though also to benefit others who have had a identical experience.

Readers have easily donated multiform equipment on Cortez’s wish list, together with an iPod and clothing, books and toys for Kyran, all of which made for a brighter Christmas for her and her son.

“I enjoyed all that I got,” she said. “I review to Kyran all the time.”

The automobile was a single thing that she desperately needed. Cortez now relies on Kyran’s father for rides to propagandize and to care for their son whilst she attends class, though she hoped for her own automobile to make it simpler to demeanour for a job.

She shortly will need to compensate for lease when the monetary benefit she receives after withdrawal encourage care expires next year.

For more information on the Cortez family, contact LifeWorks, 735-2470.

pmongillo@statesman.com; 445-3696

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