Children without homes treated to toys, gingerbread houses at Durham Rescue Mission

The Good Samaritan Inn is home to the Durham Rescue Missions homeless shelter for women and mothers with children.

On Christmas Eve, the organization wanted to provide more than food and shelter – they wanted to provide joy and a little Christmas magic for the kids.

"You know, a lot of these kids have probably never had a great Christmas before.," said Tart, a representative for the Durham Rescue Mission. "We want to make sure they've had their best Christmas ever while they're here."

That means plenty of gifts, lots of smiles and the sweet fun of decorating gingerbread houses.

"I think [the kids] eat about half of the candy," laughs Tart.

At the Good Samaritan Inn, the women and children are given shelter, food, clothes and an opportunity to build relationships.

"As they build relationships and make connections, it's then that they begin to feel better about themselves and make connections to a better life somewhere else, whether it's a job or home or wherever it is they need to get to," said Tart.

Hailey Jones, originally from Texas, has been with Durham Rescue Mission for a year and a half. That opportunity has meant the world to her.

Jones and her kids enjoyed a fun-filled Christmas Eve morning, decorating – and eating! – gingerbread houses.

What are they celebrating this holiday?

"Just to celebrate Jesus and Christmas with family," said Jones. "In the next couple of months, I'll be getting my own car, start looking for a new place to live. All due to learning stability, structure, everything and most importantly learning about the Word of God."

Building a gingerbread house for Christmas; building a real home for the holidays.