Neighbors couldn't see homeless man sleeping on the street anymore so they posted 100 flyers and it changed his life
Community efforts can work magic and bring out unexpected results. When people come together to help a person in need, something profound has to come out of it. Living on West 22nd Street in New York City, Johnell Johnson had no home, per CBS News. Despite his homelessness and other dilemmas, he had taken up a huge space in the hearts of his neighbors. Their love and kindness went so far that they decided to do something life-changing to help Johnson. Several members came together in a community effort to help Johnson not only with finances but also to help him stand on his own feet. The man had been living on a rooftop for over a year after a brutal breakup. “I took a fall… it really killed me," Johnson said, per CBS New York.
Buzzing around from one place to another, the man had many struggles but it never changed his cheerful personality. Johnson would always greet the neighbors as they passed by and they were eager to hear from him as and when they could. His simple expressions would leave a smile on all neighbors, young and old, of different professions and so on. The man had rubbed off quite well on the neighborhood that people called him the “mayor” of the area out of love. The relationship he built, despite being homeless touched many. Seeing him struggle for a long period, the neighbors came up with a plan. One of the neighbors, Jennifer Mallicote, shared her encounter with the man.
"It was that one time I sat down and had a conversation – quite honestly, it changed my whole outlook," she recalled. She, along with others from the community, decided to help Johnson land a job. Mallicote started him off with necessities like an old phone for employers to contact him. Another neighbor, Julie Benlevi and others teamed up to put around 100 flyers all over. These marketed Johnson and his availability to be employed. “We want to get him off the streets before wintertime,” the woman noted. Benlevi supported Johnson throughout and helped him use his cooking and other service-related skills to land a job. Attending interviews and helping with his confidence among others were thoughtful efforts she put in.
The community even started an Instagram page for Johnson where he could share his life story and his immense gratitude for having his life turned around. With his determination and the neighbors having his back, the man soon acquired a job at a restaurant called Gran Tivoli. The neighbors did this selfless act with a simple perspective in mind. “It could be any of us at any time. He doesn't ask for anything. He just gives you a greeting and there's no way you can't greet him back and be grateful,” Mallicote noted. What once felt impossible is slowly becoming a reality, thanks to the unending kindness and generosity. "They think I'm the happiest man in the world but I may be the saddest man in the world away from my children and grandchildren… but as long as I can see these people every day, I'm okay – until I get better!" Johnson remarked.