MEET MOPE

Taking a walk is one of my favorite things to do when traveling. I always set out near my hotel with your Kindness Cards in my pocket and my eyes open for folks in need.

That’s exactly how I met Mope near a bus stop. After chatting for a while and giving him some cards for meals, we walked a few blocks, and I used your donated funds to buy him dinner so he could stretch the cards even farther.

It didn’t take long for Mope to open up about his journey, and his resilience blew me away. He and his brother were kicked out of the house as teenagers by an abusive, barely-there father.

That led to a cycle of life on the streets, shelters, streets, shelters.

At a particularly desperate point in his life, he dipped his toes into gambling, and soon he was drowning in addiction.

Then hunger and despair led to a poor decision that landed him in legal trouble.

When we met, he was just six days out of jail and settling into a new shelter. We’ve kept in touch, and he now has a job and a routine.

He’s free — in more ways than one.

When we said goodbye back where we met, he called me an angel. I’ve heard this before, and it’s always humbling. But it’s also inaccurate.

I’m no angel. I’m just a bridge between the givers — like you — and the recipients — like Mope.

You’re the love.

You’re the kindness.

You’re the reason Mope’s story isn’t over.