Most of us would like to believe that if we came across money on the street, we would do the right thing and turn it in.
When a homeless guy discovered a life-changing sum of money, he didn’t hesitate to return it to its rightful owner.
When Elmer Alvarez discovered the $10,000 check in New Haven, Connecticut, he was homeless.
Elmer could have done anything with the check as someone who had been dealt a bad hand in life, but he chose to return it to its rightful owner.
His candor led him down a road that would eventually transform his life for the better.
The money belonged to real estate agent Roberta Hoskie, who had misplaced her check near a busy junction and didn’t discover it was missing until the next day.
When Elmer saw the check, the first thing that sprang to mind was, “I’ve got to find this individual.”
He stated that he had not considered cashing it for himself.
“It never occurred to me because I took the decision to change my life. Elmer told CBS News, “I’ve been clean for three years.”
When Roberta learned that the check had been returned, she was resolved to track down Elmer and express her gratitude in person.
“I was expecting to find a lovely, clean-shaven guy in a blue suit,” she explained.
Instead, she received Elmer, who had brought along a buddy since his English wasn’t very good, and who informed Roberta that Elmer was homeless.
Roberta added, “It smashed preconceptions.”
Elmer sobbed as Roberta handed him a cheque to thank him.
Roberta used Facebook Live to broadcast her encounter with Elmer in the hopes of debunking stereotypes about homeless people.
There are a variety of reasons why people become homeless, and Roberta knows all too well what it’s like to be a teen mom living in a shelter with just $400 a month to care for herself and her baby.
Roberta has worked her way out of poverty and now owns a multimillion-dollar real estate firm.
In the year after their meeting, Roberta has also lent a helpful hand to Elmer. She not only found him an apartment and paid his rent for seven months, but she also enrolled him in real estate school so that he could work for her firm.
Now the two are working on constructing a transitional home for homeless teens and young adults that will provide the services that Elmer believes are essential.
“I understand what it’s like to be homeless. He stated, “No one deserves to live like that.”
Elmer returned the cheque with no hope of receiving anything in return. I’m very delighted that the human aspect of individuals forced to live on the streets has been recognized, and Elmer now has the life he deserves.
When you provide a helpful hand to someone, they remember you and frequently return the favor, like Roberta and Elmer are doing.
Please spread the word.