Single mom of 3 who scrubs floors during overnight shift adopts 2 siblings
A mother of three who works an overnight maintenance shift at a hospital recently became a mom of five after taking in a brother and sister.
A few months ago, Sherina Akins of Miami officially adopted Christyana, 10, and Isaiah, 1, at Miami Dade Children Juvenile Courthouse. Both children are her biological cousins.
"I am blessed to be their mom," Akins told "Good Morning America." "It was the best day of my life."
Akins, 33, buffs and waxes the floors at University of Miami Hospital from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. This allows her to spend time with her kids after school and help them with homework, Akins explained.
"I love what I do," said Akins, also mom to Tharon, 12, Terrence, 11, and Bronchea, 5. "There's not many women who do floors. ... I just love helping people."
Since the adoption, Akins lost her babysitter and has taken a leave of absence. When she returns to the hospital, she hopes to work a different shift, she said.
"She has a lot on her plate, but she's able to manage," said Smith Desravines, Akins' case manager supervisor of the Center for Family and Child Enrichment. "She has a great support system. She has family and friends who were in agreement with her as far as getting the children out of foster care."
Desravines told "GMA" that Akins reached out hoping to adopt Christyana and Isaiah, who'd been living in a home where there was substance abuse before living in foster care.
At home, Akins said she does struggle and hopes quality of life can improve for her family.
"I thank God we have a roof over our heads and food on the table, [but] we have rodents," she said. "We need a bigger house. We have beds, but they're on the floor. We also need transportation."
Akins said she had to give up her car for financial reasons and now relies on loved ones for rides. She said her kids don't have a computer and printer to do schoolwork. Her living room does not have furniture, but she recently won a television in a local raffle.
Despite this, Akins is grateful for the support from her church and fellow community members -- especially the Miami Police Athletic League, in which her children are involved in sports.
"I was very shocked when I found out [her situation]" said Renaldo Carter, who coaches Tharon with the Miami PAL. "Her kids are amazing. They have great attitudes and you can tell she's there for them."
Akins said she enjoys taking her kids to extracurricular events and cooking them pasta.
Her new goals including getting a GED, opening a daycare center and launching a project to help the homeless.
"As a person, she's a wonderful fit. We couldn't have placed these children in a better place," Desravines said of Akins.
