Good Samaritan Meets Young Man Walking 10 Miles for a Job Interview
Do You Ever Complain About Your Commute?
One freezing snow packed day last week, Art Bouvier AKA Papa of Papa Roux’s was clearing the parking lot of his Indianapolis Cajun restaurant. As fate would have it, a young Indianapolis teen walking by asked him how far it was to 10th and Sherman.
According to Papa, “I told him it was quite a way away. At least 6 or 7 miles. I suggested that he would be far better off on the bus then on foot, especially in all this ice and slush. He thanked me and continued on.
He could have asked me for money for a bus. In fact I quite expected him to. He didn’t. He just started walking.”
Fifteen minutes later, their paths crossed again when Papa saw the lonely figure trudging his way to his destination.
Moved with compassion, Papa offered the young man a lift. Grateful for help, Jhaquiel hopped in and Papa learned his story.
Seems 2 years ago this 18 year old teen lost his mom and had to quit high school to support his 2 siblings. He had left two hours early to be on time for a minimum wage job interview at a local thrift store.
If he landed this job, Jhaquiel would have a winter walking commute of 20 miles until he saved enough funds for bus fare.
Jhaquiel hadn’t eaten and didn’t have money for food for this long pilgrimage looking for work. He wasn’t looking for a handout . . . just an honest day’s wage.
Papa drove him to his interview and gave him funds for lunch at the local Dairy Queen.
Jhaquiel didn’t get the thrift store job since it was already filled but that isn’t the end of his story.
Papa recognized the gift of grace that had crossed his path
Papa couldn’t pass on such an incredible opportunity. Even though he didn’t need another employee, Papa called Jhaquiel and offered him a job starting immediately.
Papa says on Facebook, “It’s been a while since I’ve met someone so young with a work ethic like that!
And the next time somebody hands me a sob story about needing money for this or that, because they really want to make their lives better… I hope to be able to introduce them to Jhaquiel.”
This story went viral on Facebook and well wishers are dropping off bus tickets so Jhaquiel doesn’t have to walk to his new job.
Gives you hope for America.
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I love stories like this, they give me hope. How many of us pass up opportunities to help someone because we are too busy or don’t want to get involved or we are afraid? Kudos to Papa for noticing this young man and giving him the opportunity and kudos to Jhaqueil for his determination to get to his job interview and not giving up.
I saw this on the news the other day. The world needs more people like these two men.