The Witchta Eagle rencently ran an inspriring story about a single mother who overcame adversity to become the eighth African-American member of the Wichita Bar Association.

Latina Alston is not yet 30. She has three children out of wedlock with three fathers, two of whom have not helped much with the kids. She raised the children in poverty all their lives.

That's about to change.

Latina's story goes beyond absent fathers, food stamps and welfare checks.

Overcoming poverty, stress, guilt, heath concerns, and potty training, Latina passed the bar in 2008. 

In the 19 months since she returned to Wichita, Latina has slept every night in one bedroom with her children.

The room is at her mother's house, the same tiny, two-bedroom dwelling where Latina grew up. There are holes in the floor where rodents come in; the windows let in winter chill; a tree is growing through the back of the house.

But last week Latina signed the papers on a Habitat for Humanity house that she qualified for and helped build....In that house this Thursday, the Alston family will celebrate Christmas.