Woman fleeing an abusive partner with her child asked a homeless woman for money — what she offered instead meant far more
Trigger warning: This story contains themes of domestic abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Sometimes, kindness comes from people you least expect. For someone who has been through hardships themselves, it can be easier to understand what others are going through. That is why TikTok creator Cali Jess, who goes by @calijess714, went out of her way to help a stranger who had fled her abusive husband. In a TikTok video posted on July 28, 2026, Jess recalled a mother approaching her for money. Jess was homeless herself, so she couldn't help her with any money. But what she did instead left the internet in tears.
@calijess714 I didn’t tell her I was homeless, just gave her what I could #homeless #storytime #heartfeltmoments #helpinghand ♬ original sound - calijess
When Jess was in a McDonald's parking lot, a stranger in a car approached her, asking if she had any extra money. This woman had gotten away from an abusive partner and wanted the money for herself and her kid. Jess had no money to give, but she found something she could give the stranger: a Chuck E. Cheese gift card that covered pizza, drinks, and an hour of unlimited play. She also gave the woman the Wi-Fi password for a nearby Verizon store, telling her to “call around, try to figure out what you can do” while giving her child a chance to have some fun. Jess also reassured her, telling her to relax and reminding her that the difficult moment would pass.
Jess said she never told the woman that she was homeless herself. Instead, she simply handed over the gift card and tried to give her something that could make the situation a little easier. For a woman who had just escaped an abusive relationship, Jess hoped the small gesture would give her and her child a brief moment of comfort amid an overwhelming situation.
The interaction stayed with Jess because she knew firsthand how difficult it was to be in a situation where you had nowhere to turn. She couldn't offer money, a place to stay, or an immediate solution, but she still chose to share what she had. Her gesture reminded the woman that she wasn't completely alone. The woman thanked Jess before leaving, and Jess brushed it off with a simple, “Obviously, I know how it is.” For her, it was just about helping someone who was going through something she understood all too well.
Viewers were deeply touched by her kindness, with many praising her for helping someone despite being in a difficult situation herself. One viewer @jlyexip wrote, “It’s always the people in difficult situations or circumstances that show the most kindness,” while @just.eypril said, “I pray God blesses you 10 times over.” @mxwebb added, “I’m sure she thinks about you often.”
Kindness means looking at what you have and deciding that someone else needs it more. In another story, a 75-year-old homeless woman once shared the little food she had with a stranger who asked for help. The stranger turned out to be TikTok influencer Jimmy Darts, who was so moved by her kindness that he gave her $1,000 on the spot. When he later learned that the woman had been living in a tent since 2015 and wanted to help other people experiencing homelessness, he launched a GoFundMe for her. The fundraiser eventually brought in more than $46,000, helping the older woman get a place to live and buy the van she had dreamed of using as a home. She later said the experience completely changed her life.
You can follow @calijess714 on TikTok for more videos.
If you are being subjected to domestic abuse or know of anyone else who is, please visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.