I saw a man standing by the roadside holding a sign that said, “Will Work for Food.” I pulled over and told him I had a fence that needed painting. I offered him $50 and lunch. His face immediately lit up. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, ready to work.

He spent the next four hours painting the fence. He worked hard, never complained, and did an excellent job. When he finished, we sat together on the porch and shared sandwiches. During lunch, he opened up about his life.

He told me he had once been a successful contractor, but after his wife died, he fell into bad habits and eventually lost everything. Despite everything he had been through, he was trying to rebuild his life and find a way back.

I gave him the $50, but I also gave him something more valuable—a recommendation to my brother, who runs a construction crew. He starts work Monday. Everyone has a story, and sometimes all someone needs is for another person to stop scrolling, listen, and give them a chance.