In November 2017, Elmer Alvarez, a homeless man from New Haven, Connecticut, made a life-changing decision. He found a lost check worth over $10,000 and chose to return it to its rightful owner rather than keep it for himself. Little did he know that this act of honesty would transform his life and inspire others.
The issue of homelessness often garners attention, but lasting solutions remain challenging to find. Sometimes, however, a single act of kindness can spark meaningful change. Elmer Alvarez’s story is a powerful example of how compassion and integrity can lead to unexpected and positive outcomes.
The story began when Roberta Hoskie, a real estate agent, lost a check for nearly $11,000 while running errands in New Haven. The check slipped out of her hand near a busy intersection, and she didn’t realize it was missing until the next day. Losing such a significant amount of money was stressful, and Hoskie feared the worst.
Before she could take steps to address the situation, her phone rang. It was Elmer Alvarez, who had found the check and wanted to return it. When Hoskie met Alvarez, she was shocked to discover that he was homeless. Touched by his honesty, she decided to reward him not just with money but with life-changing support.
Hoskie, a woman of strong faith, felt compelled to do more for Alvarez. She helped him secure housing and enrolled him in a job training program at her real estate school, where he eventually passed a real estate exam. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Alvarez broke down in tears when Hoskie told him he would no longer have to endure the hardships of homelessness.
In January 2019, CBS News reported that Hoskie and Alvarez were working together to open transitional housing for homeless teens and young adults. Alvarez, who understood the struggles of homelessness firsthand, emphasized the importance of providing crucial services to those in need. "I know what it is to be homeless. Nobody deserves to live like that,” he said.
Hoskie’s empathy for Alvarez stemmed from her own experiences. As a young single mother, she had faced homelessness and financial struggles. Despite these challenges, she persevered and became a successful real estate agent. Her journey inspired her to help others in similar situations. "Because I remember. I remember what it felt like to be in that shelter,” she told CBS.
The story gained national attention when NBC News produced a segment about Alvarez and Hoskie, reaching millions of viewers. The video continues to resonate online, reminding people that acts of kindness can create ripple effects of positive change.
Earlier this year, Hoskie shared her inspiring journey in a book titled *Poverty Curse Broken: The Roberta Hoskie Story*. In it, she recounts her upbringing in a challenging environment, her struggles with trauma, homelessness, and abuse, and her path to success. Hoskie’s message is one of hope and determination: "People must have faith, a strong desire, and self-discipline to bring anything they want in life into reality. Nothing is impossible. Just look around. Someone is already doing what you want to do. If they can do it, so can you.”
Elmer Alvarez’s story is a testament to the power of honesty, compassion, and the belief that no one is beyond help. Together, Alvarez and Hoskie are paying it forward, proving that even the smallest acts of kindness can lead to profound change.
