This Man Is Helping a Homeless Woman Learn to Read and so Much More

Greg Smith has been meeting homeless woman, Amy Joe, for lunch every Tuesday for the past few weeks. He decided to treat her to lunch after he was blown over by her friendliness and how she never asked him for money, and instead just wished him, “Good morning.”

However, about two weeks ago, Amy Joe “dropped a bomb” on Smith: She couldn’t read.

In a viral Facebook post, Smith wrote, “She told me how hard it was for her to find work not being able to read. She began to tell me any money that she can collect she uses to check out library books that help with learning to read instead of buying FOOD.”

Now, in addition to having lunch, Smith helps teach Amy Joe to read. He checks out one book from the library each week to practice with on Tuesdays, and during the rest of the week she practices on her own.

Smith also said in his post that he’s sharing their story to encourage others to help those who have not had the same opportunities as most people.

“I wanted to share this because maybe this can lead to someone helping another person. There are a lot of people out there like Amy Joe, not all are hungry, homeless, or hurt. Some could be your family or friends. Helping someone could be as easy as saying hello and smiling.”

Smith started a crowd funding campaign for Amy Joe and to raise money for a new foundation for the homeless in that community. He dubbed it the Amy Joe Foundation.

The campaign has raised about $6,000 of its $10,000 goal, but thanks to donations, Amy Joe has been staying in a hotel and off the streets. Smith also said the money is going toward “food, clothing, a library card, and much more to help the less fortunate in the Downtown Orlando area.”

Smith’s slogan for the campaign is, fittingly, “One person at a time.”