A photograph of a homeless man changing a single mom's flat tire has been warming heart across the length and breadth of the internet over the last month.
A photograph of a homeless man changing a single mom's flat tire has been warming heart across the length and breadth of the internet over the last month.
The photograph was taken by Anna on the 23rd September and has since gone viral across news outlets and social media, with the original photo, has received over 2,000 likes.
The couple have owned Jessie Jean’s on Historic 25th for over 20 years.
Anna shared the photo to the cafe's Facebook page. writing:
"[L]ooked out the window to see this happening. This is Chuck...he's homeless and works his ass off helping every day in the cafe. This is 'one of those people' that get labeled.
"Ya know the ones everyone wants outta sight, outta mind... I didn't see anyone else out helping this young lady, just Chuck ... the homeless guy...thank you, Chuck."
Shuree Michelle explained that no one stopped to help her, except for Chuck, who she gave $10 for the trouble:
"Out comes this guy and he asked if I had a spare tire and a jack. He didn't hesitate to help, it was very sweet," Michelle told Yahoo Lifestyle.
Anna and her husband do as much as they can to help homeless people around their area, and Chuck is one of those people who they have been trying to help get back on his feet. According to Fox 29, Anna explained Chuck was a previously convicted felon who suffers from PTSD.
"Our system is truly broken and I desperately want to be part of making effective positive change. Chuck is a great guy, but the truth is there are thousands of Chucks out there.
"The perception versus reality are so far apart. You cannot pigeonhole homelessness, you cannot pigeonhole people. We have to look at each individual’s story," Anna told Fox 29.
Anna also explained that helping the homeless is particularly important to her and her husband, due to the fact that her husband Ron had in the past been homeless for several years. Ron has overcome addiction, mental health issues, and other troubles to become a proud business owner and husband.
Hopefully, the image will continue to shake off the negative perceptions of homelessness that can so often pervade the media and public consciousness.
People like Chuck who have experienced troubles and are working tirelessly to get themselves back on their feet deserve all of the support that we can offer them. And, people like Anna and Ron doing all they can to help people less fortunate than them are worthy of all the credit due to them.