Alise Van Dyke stops.

She sees a man in a position that she cannot imagine. The man waits in the cold as the warm summer season abruptly changes to fall and the night brings a cold chill to the air, cooling the rain that falls. He wears rundown clothes and a backpack that holds his belongings. Alise stops for this man because she knows that she can help him and feels that she needs to.

“He looks very upset and just helpless.”

At this moment Alise appreciates the basic provisions in her life because she has never had to worry about how she would get her next meal or where she would find shelter for the night. 

“I instantly feel sorry and very bad for him. I want to do what I can. I feel very guilty almost just because I am more fortunate. It really put a lot into perspective and makes me feel so grateful for what I have.”

Because of what she realizes, she goes to the nearest store with a few friends and returns to the man with a jacket to protect him from the rain and cold, and food that will last. He thanks her and she stays and talks to him for a while, learning his story.

Alise helps this man because she knows she needs to; that this man has not gotten the opportunities he needs and that she has so that she can provide for herself. Rather than passing him by or giving a dollar and calling that generosity, she sees his environment and understands his story, providing him with what he needs by giving him everything that she can. Alise is a kind person and embraces her kindness, generously helping others.