LOS ANGELES — There are 66,436 people living on the streets of Los Angeles County.

But there could have been 66,437, if not for a holiday miracle.

“I cannot explain the excitement and the overwhelming feeling that I had,” said Helen Lawrence, an outreach worker from Chatsworth.

A year ago, Lawrence decided she wanted to give back by volunteering at the local homeless charity About My Father’s Business. Twice a week, she has been making the rounds at different encampments in The West San Fernando Valley helping in any way she can.

“I feel so bad,” she said. “No one should be on the street.”

Lawrence’s only compensation is the look in people’s eyes when she manages to get them off the streets.

“When you see them go to a home, oh my God, it’s amazing,” she said.

Since the LA City Council approved a ban on camping at certain locations, Lawrence has been stepping up her efforts to relocate as many people as possible. It was during one of her visits to a 101 overpass in Woodland Hills when fate came knocking.

“Suddenly I heard somebody calling my name again and again, and finally I turned around, and it was my nephew,” she said while choking back tears. “He lost his mother, and he ended up on the street. I’m so grateful that I found him.”

Lawrence's nephew, who asked to remain anonymous, had been missing for three and a half years, ever since the death of his mother, Lawrence’s sister, sent him on a downward spiral. Lawrence, who had been looking for him the entire time, had given up hope of ever finding him, when there he was, skinny and shaken — but alive.

“I’ve been doing it for a while now and never thought I’d find him,” she said. “It was just a miracle.”

With help of Council member Bob Blumenfield, Lawrence's nephew has since been moved into temporary housing. Since then, Lawrence has been checking up on him every day, making sure he’s OK while giving him the space to find his footing again.

Lawrence is convinced the reunion was no coincidence, and that her sister was the invisible force that led her to volunteer at the Corbin encampment in the first place.

“She is dancing in heaven, I’ll tell you,” she said.

Lawrence knows this is just the beginning of a long road to recovery, but she is grateful for what is sure to be the best holiday season ever.

“I have so much to be thankful about,” she said. “He was missed, and now he’s back.”