NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The holidays mean different things to different people, and for some, having a place to call home makes all the difference in the world. "This is the best Christmas gift ever. Very much a second chance, and I'm not going to fail at this one," Kisha Smith said. Kisha Smith was emotional after walking through the doors of her newly gifted home. Smith spent some of her life on the streets after being pulled between high housing costs and a low income. Puppeteer shares how Mr. Bingle first got his strings "I lost my job. I was down to one job, which was a waitress job that was not paying the bills, and my rent was $700, and my light bill was $500," Smith said. Newly divorced and now evicted, Smith spent many sleepless nights outside of Waffle House on Canal Street. "I drank coffee all night so nobody would see me. I walked in when I thought I saw somebody I know so they could think like, I'm just going to the waffle house. I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed that people would see me and know that, you know, she's on the streets now," said Smith. Smith turned to the non-profit Unity of Greater New Orleans for help. After just one phone call, the group promised to help take her in and help her work towards a new future. "I was protected, I was safe, I was able to take a shower, I was able to eat three times a day and they gave me clothes," Smith said. 15-foot reindeer takes over River Parish bonfire celebration Over the last year, Unity has helped house an average of 100 people per month. "Our members provide outreach and permanent housing solutions to folks who have experienced homelessness. and make sure they get the stable housing that they need and the wraparound services to keep them stably housed moving forward," Joe Heeren-Mueller with Unity Greater New Orleans said. Smith is now working towards a better life and wants to advocate for others in similar situations. "It's always the light at the end of the tunnel that you're supposed to be looking for. And at first, I didn't see it. And now that it's here, it's like the most beautiful light ever," Smith said. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts: Body found in wheel well of United Airlines flight from Chicago to Maui Lunchtime Christmas weather update What to know about death of a woman set on fire in NYC subway Home for the Holidays: From homeless to homeowner 15-foot reindeer takes over River Parish bonfire celebration