Chicago Heights Woman Who Used To Be Homeless Wins New Car

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A Chicago Heights woman who used to be homeless won a new car last week through a Homewood Chevy Holiday event where the south suburban dealership gives away a vehicle each year to the winner of an essay contest.

LaToya Glover, 40, won the contest with a 200 word essay on how a new car could change her life. According to Glover, who works at Jewel-Osco in Homewood, she overcame homelessness and substance abuse but still needed a car in order to get to and from a management training program.

"I always get invited to speak on my sobriety but I can't get to the events," Glover said in a social media post. "It'll be so wonderful to go where I'm needed now, to give my coworkers rides home. If I do get the car, I know I can be the person I'm meant to be."

Steve Phillipos, president of Homewood Chevy, told reporters at the giveaway on Dec. 24 that the team chose Glover based on her drive and inspiring story.

"This young lady was on the street and she turned her life around," Phillipos said. "This is a miracle, not just a Christmas miracle but a miracle every day."

This year was the company's seventh year hosting the giveaway. Glover drove away with a 2022 Chevrolet Spark in the color "Red Hot." Sales tax, two sets of car keys and a full tank of gas is included in the winning bundle.