An act of kindness can mean the world to someone living on the streets. A Milwaukee bus driver saw how she could help firsthand when a regular passenger found himself homeless.
Natalie Barnes, a bus driver with the Milwaukee County Transit System, found one of her regular passengers, Richard, had been homeless for a week. His home had been condemned and he had nowhere else to go.
Surveillance video officially released by the MCTS shows their interactions over time.
Milwaukee Bus Driver Helps Homeless Man Find Housingwww.youtube.com
Not wanting him to have to brave the cold night without shelter, Barnes offered to let him stay on the bus while she drove her night shift. He accepted and rode the bus at night to keep warm.
It's a touching story, setting hearts aglow.
She offered to buy the man food and, after some reluctance on his part, he relented. Richard offered to repay Barnes, but she refused.
She says in the video:
"I want to help you."
On a break, Barnes called a friend and set Richard up with an emergency shelter. The agency has been able to secure him permanent housing and get him back on his feet.
How can your heart not melt hearing about this?
For this act of selflessness, Barnes received a commendation from the MCTS. It's not her first, as she's received two other commendations for outstanding service in the two years she's worked there.
Barnes and Richard are still friends. He has her cell phone number and updates her on his condition every few days.
H/T: ABC News, Huffington Post