Most of us would like to think that if we found money lying in the street, we’d do the right thing and hand it in. And that’s exactly what Elmer Alvarez did when he found a $10,000 check while being homeless in New Haven, Connecticut. Instead of using the money for himself, Elmer chose to reunite it with its rightful owner.
Elmer’s act of honesty not only restored his faith in humanity, but also set him on a path that would change his life for the better. The check belonged to real estate agent Roberta Hoskie, who had lost it on a busy intersection and didn’t realize it was missing until the next day.
When Elmer found the check, he immediately knew he had to look for its owner. He didn’t even consider cashing it for himself. “It never crossed my mind because I made a decision to turn my life over. I’ve been clean for three years,” Elmer told CBS News.
Roberta was overwhelmed with gratitude when she discovered that the check had been returned. Determined to find Elmer and thank him personally, she didn’t expect to meet a clean-cut gentleman in a suit. Instead, she met Elmer, a homeless man who brought a friend with him as his English wasn’t very good.
“It shattered the stereotypes,” Roberta said. Moved by Elmer’s selflessness, she handed him a check as a gesture of gratitude, which brought him to tears. Roberta documented their meeting on Facebook Live, hoping to break the myths and stereotypes surrounding homelessness.
Both Roberta and Elmer have experienced hardships in their lives. Roberta was once a teen mom living in a shelter with only $400 a month to support herself and her son. However, she managed to work her way out of poverty and now runs her own multi-million dollar real estate company.
Motivated by Elmer’s kindness, Roberta decided to give him a helping hand. She found him an apartment and paid his rent for seven months. Not stopping there, she also enrolled him in real estate school so he could become an employee of her company.
But their story doesn’t end there. Roberta and Elmer have bigger plans. They want to build a transitional house to support homeless teenagers and young adults, providing them with essential services and resources. Elmer understands what it’s like to be homeless, and he believes that no one deserves to live in such conditions.
Elmer never expected to be rewarded for returning the check, but his act of kindness has brought him a life he truly deserves. This heartwarming story reminds us that when we offer a helping hand to someone, they never forget. And more often than not, they pay that kindness forward, just like Roberta and Elmer are doing.
Let’s spread this inspiring story and remember that compassion and generosity can change lives!
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