Once a week, single mom Samantha Greene packs up her kids and heads to church — but picks up nearly half a dozen other young people along the way.

  • Central Florida nurse Samantha Greene named Everyday Hero
  • Every weekend, she shuttles young people to church
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For the past two years, Greene has made it her mission to fill her SUV with teens from the Central Florida community and take them to church.

She's determined to give them a fighting chance at their future.

"For one day out of the week, they're surrounded by positive things, instead of having to make adult decisions as a child," Greene said.

It's a tight fit in the SUV. But all the students she picks up on weekends say they look forward to their time with the nurse who has become their mentor.

"It's just strange to think that there would be a person who would help you, and not in a negative way. She's someone who doesn't want to see you fail, but watch you succeed in what we do,” high school student Tyra Johnson said on her ride to church with Greene.

Greene said watching their personal growth makes it all worth it. She hopes more people take a turn to walk in her shoes.

"To be that one caring adult that the child might need, even if you only reach one, it will still be worth it," Greene said.