Car dealer gifts car to emancipated foster youth who has been biking to work

"Anybody who could go through what she went through and still persevere, you have to help those people," said Underwood. "It touched my heart, and I had the means to help, so I thought, why not me? I will just take care of it for her."

Mary received the car at Richland County Children Services surrounded by the caseworkers and staff who supported her through her journey in foster care.

Mary previously told WMFD, "If you believe in a God or any higher purpose that helps too, that's what got me through; it was hard."

Upon receiving her car, in disbelief, Mary said, "Hold on, I got to pray real quick, thank you (with a sigh)."

"That said, I did the right thing and I helped a really deserving young lady," Underwood said. "I think the sky is the limit for her."

Michelle Miller, Executive Director of the Richland County Youth & Family Council, said these are the connections that emancipated foster youth need to springboard them into success.

"Many youth who are transitioning out of the foster care system don't have access to a vehicle because typically they leave at 18, and they don't have that parental support after 18," Miller said. "Having a business provide a vehicle for a youth who aged out of foster care is phenomenal. It helps set them up for success to eliminate their chances of becoming homeless, job insecure, or drug use." 

Mary was excited about the roll-down windows in the 2014 Jeep Patriot 4X4. She took us on her first test drive around the parking lot.

Mary Stephan, Mary's independent living caseworker, said she had to trick Mary into coming to the agency with a "let's go out for coffee" fib, and she is proud of Mary's determination and work ethic.

"And that is what these kids need, is community support, and those resources are valuable, so it will be a relationship she will probably have for a long time," Stephan said.