KNOXVILLE — 2018 has been a year of success and excitement for Cortny Bean and her son Braxton.
Cortny is starting real-estate school after earning a degree in business management, Braxton is thriving in school and the two moved from The Restoration House to a new home.
"To be able to make Braxton feel safe, is just one of the most important things to me and I'm really honored I get to do it," said Bean.
This story is one commonly seen at The Restoration House.
The nonprofit helps single parents through life's challenges and pushes them to achieve their goals. At any time, the house holds about 17 families.
In the next 10 years, the organization is projected to help about 140 families and over 300 children.
Now that she is back on her feet, Cortny hopes to give back to the group that got her there.
"I actually have led a financial literacy class for them and I have sometimes cooked dinners for them," she said. "Anytime they ask me to do anything, I say yes."
Bean hopes her story will inspire other single parents to consider The Restoration House. The house is planning an expansion for 2019 that will nearly triple its original capacity.
The Restoration House will hold its annual premier fundraiser, Over the Edge, on Aug. 25.
Bean plans to participate, and says she looks forward to the money raised giving other single parents the same opportunities she enjoys.
"He used to have to spend the night every night at someone's house. I'd take him and it would be so heart wrenching to drop him off and I get to take him to school and drop him off every morning," she said. "Those times in the car I cannot wait for. I cannot wait for them!"
To donate to Over the Edge, click here.