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Freezing Homeless Man Goes to a Closed McDonalds - Manager Defies All Rules and Does This
Uplifting News

Freezing Homeless Man Goes to a Closed McDonalds - Manager Defies All Rules and Does This

McDonald's general manager, Paloma Robles, knows that it's strictly against company policy to open a locked door, she did it anyway.That open door didn't just give a freezing homeless man a temporary respite, it opened the door to an entirely new life. What Happened When a Couple Discovered a Homeless Man Freezing in the ColdIt was a frigid day in Lewisville, Texas when Doug and Kylie Evans happened upon a man shivering in the cold. They immediately got out of their car to offer help.“I couldn’t even believe it,” Kyli Evans said. “I said, ‘Is that somebody sitting on the side of the road?’ The human heart in me could not allow somebody to just sit outside in 12-degree weather, so I just wanted to do something.”The man was Derrick Mounter. Once a college student studying graphic design with a dream of becoming an animator, he had fallen on hard times after a break-up and a car accident that nearly killed him.The couple decided to take him to the nearest McDonald's to warm up and get something to eat. Upon arriving at the restaurant they discovered that the dining room was closed but the drive-thru was open. Not one to be dissuaded, Doug knocked on the locked door and asked to be let in, explaining that they had just picked up a man they found under a bridge. Luckily for Mounter, Robles was on the other side. Knowing full-well that she was breaking the rules and could potentially lose her job, she opened the door. “I needed to help him,” Robles said. “I would not let him be outside in the cold.”First, She Opened the Door, Then She Opened Her HeartRobles didn't just take the time to fill Mounter's empty stomach, she took the time to hear his story.After his life imploded, Mounter found himself on the streets. “I prayed to God every single day, ‘God, please help me out of this situation.’” Derrick MounterBut God didn't seem to be listening. Mounter, who doesn't struggle with drugs or alcohol, desperately tried to get a job. No one would give him a chance. Instead, all he got was condemnation and scorn from passersby.“It made me not want to live anymore and it made me feel like God was not on my side anymore because (of) some of the things that they were saying,” He added.He had almost given up. And that's when his "guardian angels" walked into his life.Opportunity Knocks and a Homeless Man AnswersAfter hearing Mounter's story, Robles knew exactly what she needed to do. She offered to hire him on the spot. “I said, 'I’m going to give you that job,’” Robles said. “'I’m going to give you that opportunity that you’re looking for.’"Mounter broke down in tears. “She knew I had something better to live for and she didn’t want me to be in this situation anymore,” he said.He gratefully accepted. Now, weeks later, Mounter is a beloved addition to the team and a model employee, showing up at least 15 minutes early for every shift.And it's all thanks to three compassionate people willing to step up and help a stranger in need. Robles didn't just offer him a job, she offered him a fresh start, a chance to completely turn his life around. And it begs the question, "What would happen if we all gave someone a chance?""We'd change the world."Paloma RoblesMore from Goalcast:Little Girl Starts Screaming at McDonald’s – Mom Burst into Tears After Seeing One Employee’s ActionsWoman Takes Brother With Autism to McDonald’s – One Employee’s Behavior Towards Him Goes ViralAngry Customer Throws a Drink at Pregnant McDonald’s Worker – But One Stranger Witnesses Everything

Owner Asks Homeless Man to Leave the Premises but He Keeps Coming Back - Finally, He Decides to Take a Different Approach
Uplifting News

Owner Asks Homeless Man to Leave the Premises but He Keeps Coming Back - Finally, He Decides to Take a Different Approach

What would your reaction be to finding a homeless man sleeping behind your business?Unfortunately, many of us have a default reaction of skepticism or disregard to those we do not immediately understand. It is often too easy to judge others based on appearance, but one gym owner reminds us why an open mind is so important, and just how far a little compassion can carry others. What One Man Did When He Saw a Homeless Man Asleep in His CarPhoto by Timur WeberA few months ago, at the God Body gym in Memphis, Tennessee, owner Roderick Duncan noticed someone sleeping in one of his old cars behind the building. "Homeless guy, had to have been," Duncan told a publication. Duncan initially approached the car with his cell phone camera out and ready to record the encounter, telling the stranger gruffly to get out of the vehicle. He thought that was the end of the story, until the next day when he noticed the same individual, in the same spot. He again asked the stranger to leave, and he did. This continued night after night, developing into a routine for the two -- Duncan asking the man to leave his property night after night -- until he decided to try a different approach. One night he had a change of heart. "Before I could knock on the [car] window, I said, 'You know what?' I came back in here and made him a cup of coffee," Duncan recalled.What he brought to the young man was far more than a cup of coffee, but a change in mindset. Duncan approached the individual with understanding and compassion this time, and watched as he turned from a nameless 'homeless man' into a young individual with a story as unique as anybody else's -- and just as deserving of kindness. How One Cup of Coffee Led to a Beautiful FriendshipPhoto by Esranur KalayThe two shared a cup of coffee that one evening, and a relationship began to blossom. Duncan learned that the stranger was 24-year-old Bryan Taylor. He learned about Bryan's troubled childhood and struggles with alcohol, and more about his desire to change his circumstances. Their relationship grew over conversations, and soon, Duncan was taking Bryan to get a new ID, new clothes, and driving him to job interviews. Bryan even went from crashing in old cars behind the gym to a couch in Duncan's home. "Some people need more than one chance. It takes a while for most kids to stop bumping their head," Duncan admitted. However, Bryan's growth wasn't so simple. The duo have both admitted that their relationship came with its own turbulence, and required patience from both parties. For example, Duncan set rules for the young man, and tried to help guide him back on the right path, but there were setbacks at times. Trust was violated, and regained -- built back stronger. It turns out, that single cup of coffee, and change of mindset, paved the way for both men's lives to change. How a Man Proved the Importance of Giving Others a Second Chance For Bryan, the stability provided allowed him to begin taking steps in the right direction. With the trust of a mentor, and the confidence he instilled, he was able to search for jobs with a new fervor, and lean on someone for support in the process. “I’m a changed person,” said Bryan. “I got a job. I got more confidence. I got a smile on my face.” As a gym owner and personal trainer, Duncan is used to helping people work towards their goals. However, his encounter with Bryan forced him to reassess his judgement, and shift his perspective in a positive direction. What Duncan truly provided for the young man was belief. He instilled confidence in the young man, who still has a long life ahead of him. By reassessing his own implicit biases, and changing them, he had the ability to recognize that Bryan was not a threat, but just someone in need of some help -- as we all are at some point. The relationship these two developed can remind us all to keep an open mind, and always lend a helping hand when we have the power to do so. More from Goalcast:Homeless Woman Begs For Scraps In Restaurant — Customer Gives Her Leftovers Then Does Even MoreHomeless Dad Living in His Car With 2 Kids Is Fired From His Job – Then, Strangers Step in When They Hear His RequestWoman Buys Homeless Man Coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts — He Then Hands Her a Shocking Note

Man Who Got Out of Prison for the 6th Time Spots His Arresting Officer - No One Could Have Predicted What He Did Next
Uplifting News

Man Who Got Out of Prison for the 6th Time Spots His Arresting Officer - No One Could Have Predicted What He Did Next

*Featured image contains photo by Kindel MediaIt can be really hard to turn your life around. Whether you’ve had some bad blows, become accustomed to a certain lifestyle, or don’t see a clear path out, changing habits and tendencies is hard for anyone. Often, it requires a wake-up call. And that’s exactly what one Texas man got when he was arrested a few years back.Turning Around a Life of CrimeIn 2015, Doc Amey was a six-time convicted felon. But it was during his last stint in prison that he realized it was time for real and actual change. At the time, he was serving a five-year prison sentence on a gun charge, according to an ABC outlet.“One day, a cold December morning, I just looked up: I said God, if you real, like everybody say you real, you'll get me out of this,” Amey recalled.When Amey was paroled and released after a year and a half, he decided to make good on his promise.The man became involved with “The Fellowship” church in Texas City, attended the Bible college there, and earned his associate’s degree in biblical studies. He began speaking publicly about his experiences and sought out police officers in the community to pray for them as well. Most importantly, he kicked his former life, involving drugs and guns, to the curb.“You gotta be the change you want to see,” he told the publication.Seeking an Important PersonAs Amey continued his path to redemption and solidified his new life, there was one particular police officer he wanted to see again: Officer Salvador Chapa, who was the last officer to arrest Amey.“God just been giving me the urgency to pray for police officers, the same police officers that arrested me. I just got an urgency to pray for them now,” Amey explained.One day, the man got his wish when he spotted the police officer at a local cook-off. He approached without warning and said thank you. Then the men prayed together.Barely anyone noticed, except for a man named Kevin Woods. He snapped a photo of the heartwarming moment, and later the Texas City Police Department shared the photo on Facebook.Chapa was moved by the unexpected moment, too. “Touched my heart. It touched my heart. The reason it did, it sounds like I've touched his heart and made a difference in his life,” he told the publication. Now, the pair are even friends.It’s Never Too Late Sometimes it may seem like we’re at our very bottom, and there are few options in sight. But that isn’t necessarily the case. There are many programs out there designed to help us overcome and persist even during the darkest days, but first we need to learn to help ourselves.This story is so inspiring because that’s exactly what one young man did. Furthermore, he made his past right by reconnecting with those who were trying to help him or put him right along the way, helping them to feel seen and appreciated too.It also goes to show you that sometimes the person you’re trying to help might not be ready to accept your help or follow a new path. But by being there for them and continuing to support them, they may one day recognize and thank you for being the person they could count on.More from Goalcast:Realtor Turns Homeless Man’s Life Around After He Returns Lost $10,000 CheckStranger Gives Homeless Man $100 Outback Gift Card – What Happens Next Completely Changes His Life

Man Tries to Break Into an Office Building - Instead of Pressing Charges, Victim Offers Him a Job
Uplifting News

Man Tries to Break Into an Office Building - Instead of Pressing Charges, Victim Offers Him a Job

When someone breaks into your home or car, it can leave you feeling unsettled, angry, and in search of retribution. But it isn’t often that a victim feels forgiveness and understanding, which makes this story so unique.A Bungled BurglaryYouTube/CBS NewsEarlier this year, a man in his twenties named Rashawn Turner tried to break into the non-profit All You Can, Inc. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He wasn’t successful, and he fled, and all that he left behind was a grainy photo on the security camera.Still, Turner felt poorly about what he’d tried to do, so he contacted the non-profit organizer and city councilman Ralph Rodriguez to apologize. “I have to be willing to face the consequences, and that is what I'm ready to do,” he wrote to him on social media, as per CBS News.With the case closed, many might have then contacted the local authorities or pressed charges. But not Rodriguez. He decided to take a different approach.Understanding the SituationRodriguez wanted to know about Turner and why he felt as though he had to try and break in that night.“I actually took the time to hear his story, see the environment in which he lives,” Rodriguez told the news outlet. “And I get it. Poverty has a way of pushing you to do things that you would have never imagined you were even capable of doing.”RELATED: Thief Surrenders After Stealing $10k in Tools – The Owner’s ‘Punishment’ Is Way More Extreme Than Calling the CopsIt turns out Turner had a lot going on at home, and he felt as though he had no other choice.“I made a severe lapse in my judgment that night,” he explained. “My father was struggling with basic needs, and I was like, I can't sit here and just wait for what little we still have to be taken away. I have to do something.”Leading With CompassionOnce Rodriguez understood where the young man was coming from and why he’d done what he’d done, he decided to give him a chance.He gave him some money and offered him a part-time job painting the non-profit center. He also set him up with job training to land something more steady in the future.“What he doesn't need anymore is any more disappointments,” Rodriguez explained. “I'm pretty sure people have told him things in his life and dropped the ball 10 out of 10 times. It's just not what I'm prepared to do.”RELATED: These Tattoo Artists Are Giving People A Second Chance At LifeFor his part, Turner doesn’t want to waste this opportunity and is determined to prove himself. “I thought there would be no one willing to help me, but you never know; you just have to ask," he said. “But I wasn't willing to ask.”“You just need a shot,” Rodriguez added. “And I'd be remiss if I didn't try my best to give you that shot.”Giving the Benefit of the DoubtIn life, it’s so easy to cast aside people who have wronged or hurt us. But sometimes, giving people the benefit of the doubt can be a beautiful thing. Once Turner admitted his wrongdoing and apologized for what he tried to do, Rodriguez recognized that this was a man willing to accept responsibility.By focusing on that and giving him an opportunity, he helped to change Turner’s life. Sure, there are certain situations where it is a good idea to remove yourself and move on. But this story is a nice reminder that sometimes, it’s better to hear people out and see how you can help them get their life back on track rather than cast them aside.And if you are in a rough spot, Turner proves that taking responsibility and trying to do the right thing pays off in the end. He didn’t have to confess to that attempted break-in, but in doing so, he set his life on a whole new path.It just goes to show you that most of the time, most people deserve a second chance.

16 Years Ago, He Faced Up To 20 Years In Jail - Thanks To A Judge's Verdict, He's Now A Lawyer
Uplifting News

16 Years Ago, He Faced Up To 20 Years In Jail - Thanks To A Judge's Verdict, He's Now A Lawyer

All roads were leading to prison for one Detroit man, but a kind-hearted judge decided he could have a better future instead. A big second chanceWhen Edward Martell first met Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow, they were across from each other in a courtroom. Martell, then 27, had been in and out of trouble with the law and was facing up to 20 years in jail for the delivery and manufacture of crack cocaine.But Judge Morrow saw something in the young man that didn't deserve to be wasted in prison. So, he gave Martell three year's probation and a chance to make something of himself.“He said, ‘I challenge you to be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company instead of being out here selling drugs,’” Martell recalled to Deadline Detroit. “And I love a challenge.”“Any other judge would have flushed me."Edward MartellWorked hard to become a lawyerSomething inexplicable changed within Martell. After finishing his probation, he enrolled at Wayne County Community College.“They asked what I wanted to study, and I said I want to be a lawyer,” Martell recalled to Deadline Detroit. “They laughed at me. They said with your background you should go into heating and cooling.”But he kept moving towards his dream, doing incredibly well in all his classes and exams. So well, in fact, that he earned a scholarship to a four-year college degree.However, to be a lawyer Martell would need to make amends for his long history of drug dealing. To do so, he'd have to pass a character and fitness review.“I was chasing a dream with no guarantees,” he said. “My application” – which explained the circumstances and consequences of his checkered past – “was 1,200-plus pages.”At his final hearing, Morrow, the judge who gave him a second chance, testified that Martell was worthy of passing the bar, and so he did."I sobbed like a baby."Edward MartellThe judge helped to turn his life aroundSixteen years after helping set Martell on the right path, Morrow stands by his decision. “It’s a crazy cliché, but some defendants, that’s what they need, too,” he said. “If you believe like I believe, that there but for the grace of God go you and me... It took some intelligence to get in and out of the kind of trouble he got into. I told him, ‘You could be my son. Let’s see how far you can go.’ And man, he hasn’t finished yet.”For Martell, he said his success can be seen as an example for others to follow."I think my testimony may provide some of these young men and women with some motivation," Martell said. "You plant a seed, and hope it will grow." Give more people that second chanceMistakes happen. People go down difficult paths — often due to some form of trauma — and sometimes that can lead to years in prison. But for Martell, that's not how things played out. He was given a second chance and enough support to bounce back. Now, he's a successful lawyer.This impressive turn-around story prompts the question: How many more people could bounce back with a more lenient and rehabilitation-focused justice system?More uplifting stories:4 Years Ago, He Was Homeless–Today, He Bought His First HousePoor Man Who Missed Job Interview To Save A Life Had Employers Lining Up To Hire HimDomestic Abuse Survivor Marries The First Responder Who Saved Her LifeBrooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others