I’ve seen this man at Starbucks in Marin City multiple times. Every time, I would tell myself, “I’ll take him to lunch someday,” but I always found an excuse not to. Today, something felt different. Maybe it was selfish, but I was feeling lonely. I didn’t want to spend the entire day by myself. So, I walked up to him, put my hand on his shoulder, and asked, “Do you want to have lunch with me?”

His name is Tarec Atkinson, and he was born and raised in Jamaica. Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a famous football (soccer) player. He was recruited to play in school but never got the chance due to some troubles he faced as a teenager. Eight years ago, Tarec moved to the U.S. and spent the last 12 months living in a tent by the side of the freeway. Days would go by without food, and he’d often survive by picking berries. He spent 90% of his time alone, with no friends or family nearby.

After learning that Tarec hadn’t bathed in a month, I invited him back to my apartment for a hot shower. It was the least I could do. Due to all the hardships he faced, finding a job seemed impossible. How could you fill out a job application when you haven’t eaten in days?

I promised Tarec that I would help him fill out job applications and even speak on his behalf to land a job. We agreed to meet at Starbucks the following Friday at 9:30 AM.

The next step was to get Tarec some new clothes. We stopped at Ross so he could pick out a shirt and a pair of slacks. I was amazed at the immediate change in his demeanor. His smile lit up, his posture improved, and he walked with a new sense of confidence. I couldn’t convince him to tuck in his shirt, but I guess you win some and lose some, right?

We spent the next two days hitting the streets and going door to door to see who was hiring. We visited Walgreens, CVS, Safeway, Home Depot, Molly Stones, and even Starbucks. I walked in with him every time to make sure he knew he wasn’t alone. It can be overwhelming to ask for a job, but I was so proud of him. We got a few positive responses, but most businesses told us that applications were submitted online. Easy enough, right? Wrong.

Tarec didn’t have access to a computer. So, we went to the local library, where we began filling out applications. Watching him struggle to navigate the online system really opened my eyes. We often take our computer literacy for granted. As I watched Tarec struggle, I realized how difficult it is for someone like him to even get started. It made me realize how quick people are to judge the homeless, saying things like, “Why don’t they just get a job?” or “They’re lazy.” I saw firsthand how the system is set up to fail people like Tarec. There’s no way he would have been able to do this without my help, just as there are times in my life when I’ve needed someone to help me overcome obstacles. We all need help from time to time.

After a week of phone interviews, Tarec finally landed an in-person interview at Safeway. The day of the interview, I drove him to the store, feeling nervous for him. I asked how he was feeling, and he confidently replied, “I got this.” I believed him.

I dropped him off and waited nervously. Twenty minutes later, I saw Tarec walking out of Safeway, smiling from ear to ear, giving me a thumbs up. I couldn’t contain my excitement and let out a huge “WOO!” It was a victorious moment. We had accomplished so much together in just two weeks. It was truly an unforgettable moment. Of course, we had to celebrate with a little ice cream!

Like all of us, Tarec is searching for purpose in life. He wants happiness, love, and a stable future. He dreams of having a family of his own one day. Tarec is just like you and me. My hope in sharing this story is that it will inspire others to spread love and kindness. We all need a little help sometimes. Sometimes, all someone needs is a friend.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story.

Credit to Adam Augus for sharing this beautiful story of kindness, perseverance, and the power of helping others. 🫡🥰