Yesterday, December 11, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” traveled to Lincolnton, North Carolina to surprise the Friday Family with the door knock that changes lives.
A nine-year veteran of the police dept and foster mother to over 30 children, Devonda and her husband, James Friday, didn’t think twice when they received a call to provide temporary care to a boy who was being transferred to a group home. They had no idea, though, that this call would change their lives. The teenage boy showed Devonda and James a video of his siblings and begged them to help keep the five of them together. Before they knew it, Devonda and James were making room for the five youngsters to join their own two children. The adoption was final this spring, so now their house needs a makeover so they can have a new home they’ll all fit in — in time to celebrate their first official Christmas as a new family!
About the Friday Family
In her career as a police officer, Devonda had repeatedly seen kids being mistreated. She had her “aha” moment when, on a call, she saw a little girl bleeding from her cheek, and knew she had to do something to help the children of her community. She immediately called her husband, and they decided to become foster parents to give kids like that little girl a fighting chance at a better life in a loving home. In 2005 Devonda was viciously attacked, and it took her a year to heal physically, but other doors opened for her. She switched careers, got a degree, and over the years she and James fostered dozens of children, as well as raised their own biological child and adopted another youngster.
In May 2010, they met Chris, the oldest of five siblings separated in the foster care system. The first night they met, Chris showed the Fridays a video that social services had created of the younger siblings to encourage their placement. This was a life-changing moment for the Fridays, and they began their journey to adopt all five children. Initially their request was turned down because their modest ranch home didn’t have enough room, so the Fridays converted their carport into two makeshift bedrooms and sold their van to offset expenses. Ultimately they were approved to adopt in April 2011. Now the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crew will help make their home even more of a haven for this blended family. The Friday family will be whisked away on a dream vacation to Jamaica while “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” team leader Ty Pennington, designers Michael Moloney, Jillian Harris, Ed Sanders and Paige Hemmis, along with local builder Bellamy Homes and community volunteers, build the structure.
The build location is 105 Moore Street, Lincolnton, North Carolina.
“EM:HE” is produced by Endemol USA, of Endemol Holding, and executive-produced by Brady Connell & George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America.
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