I met Jose about six months ago on an ordinary Sunday afternoon at a grocery store. It was one of those routine days, just errands, nothing special. But something about that moment changed more than I ever expected.

At the time, he was just a stranger. Someone I happened to notice at a coin machine, digging through a small jar and his pockets for loose change. I felt pulled to help, and that simple interaction turned into a conversation I never knew I needed.

What started as a small act of kindness turned into something much bigger.

Over the past few months, I’ve run into Jose several times, and each time we talked more. Somewhere along the way, he stopped feeling like a stranger and started feeling like a friend.

Jose is in his mid-50s. He came to the United States over 20 years ago on his own and has spent most of his life working as a dishwasher guy or doing whatever odd jobs he could find to just get by. No family here, no real support system, just years of hard work and quiet strength.

But what’s impacted me the most isn’t just his story. It’s who he is.

Despite everything he’s been through, Jose carries a level of humility and resilience that’s hard to put into words. He’s reminded me to slow down, to be more present, and to see people for who they really are and not just pass them by.

The last time I saw him, I could tell things had gotten harder. He’s currently going through weekly medical treatments, and his health has taken a serious toll on him physically. At one point, his weight dropped to just 85 pounds. He’s slowly trying to recover, but still deals with extreme fatigue and moments where he struggles to speak. Even with that, he still finds a way to keep going. He still rides his bike everywhere. He still shows up.

Despite financial hardships and his ongoing health condition, he told me the hardest part of all of this has been feeling alone, having no one to talk to, and feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere.

And even in the middle of everything he’s facing, he’s been someone who has left a real impact on me.

Jose has made the difficult decision to return to Mexico City in hopes of reconnecting with his family. And while that’s a step toward something better for him, it also comes with uncertainty, especially with his health and financial situation.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about him. The thought of him traveling back in his current condition, alone, is something that weighs on me. I just want him to be safe and have the support he needs to make this journey with some sense of security.

I never expected that a random encounter in a grocery store would turn into a friendship that would shift my perspective the way this has.

He may have started as someone I wanted to help but in a lot of ways, he’s helped me just as much.

So I’m sharing his story not just because he needs support, but because he deserves to be seen for the person he is.

If you feel moved to help, any contribution no matter how small—can make a real difference for him during this time. Whether it goes toward medical costs, basic necessities, or simply making this transition a little easier, it truly matters.

And if anything, I hope his story reminds you the way it reminded me…

Sometimes the people we think we’re helping end up changing us the most. Jose departure’s date is April 27th, so we’re working to gather as much support as possible before he leaves. Thanks in advance!