'It's the right thing to do,' says Good Samaritan giving shelter to refugees

A Good Samaritan provided a family with a new home after watching a CBC-TV news report on the homeless in Calgary.

"It's the right thing to do," said Frank Webb, who has moved the family into a rental property that he owns. "I couldn't believe here was this family, doesn't speak the language, doesn't have any money, doesn't have any clothes, stepped off the airplane from some place … and it just felt right."

Maria Neli, her husband and two daughters, aged 10 months and two years, had been staying at the downtown Salvation Army for the last two months as their refugee claim was assessed. On Monday, they were granted political asylum.

"The workers [at the Salvation Army] really help us, really, really help us, but it's very hard because it's not a home for my babies," said Neli of the shelter.

Neli, who appeared in the story that aired on Saturday, said she was forced to flee her native Mexico. As a lawyer who pursued corruption in the government, she said a high-ranking official threatened her and her family.

She was interviewed by CBC News when she attended an event at Calgary's Municipal Building over the weekend that featured services and programs for the homeless. The story caught Webb's attention.

"Seeing these two infant children … in from the cold. It's our duty as good citizens of Canada to look after these things," explained Webb, an engineer with two teenage boys himself. "We had room here, so why not offer a good warm place to stay for them."

Webb called the Salvation Army who posted a message for the family.

Two days later, Webb crammed his van with the family's belongings and drove them to their new home just outside Calgary.

"I'm very surprised but I'm very happy," said Neli. "In my country, [these] things not happen ever, so I'm happy."

Neli said having a home will now give her daughters a chance to grow up in peace, and for the couple to find work.

"If [I'm] a lawyer or any career or something, I need to make good, good work. Only in peace, only free," she said.

Webb, who describes himself as Latin by birth, sponsors a few families in Costa Rica, helping 14 children through school.

"What better gift can you give anybody? It's not about the money, it's about your time," he said.