Sick, Homeless Woman Catches a Break Thanks to Good Samaritan

By Bay City News Service:

San Rafael police said a good Samaritan’s willingness to help an ill homeless woman who was living in a vehicle reminds them of a holiday miracle movie.

Police responded Monday to the 300 block of Paloma Street in central San Rafael to a report of someone living in a car, police Lt. Dan Fink said.

The 54-year-old woman told officers she was kicked out of her apartment, was diagnosed with cancer and was unemployed, Fink said.

The woman’s son, who also was struggling through recent hardships, provided the dark-colored Acura for his mother to sleep in because she had no other shelter options, Fink said. The officers tried to think of options to get the woman off the street, but because of the late hour, options to find shelter for her were limited, Fink said.

The officers then learned that a San Rafael resident had called the Police Department’s dispatch because he overheard the officers’ discussion about finding shelter, Fink said.

The male caller, who insisted on remaining anonymous, offered to pay for a hotel room for the woman for two nights.

The officers went to the hotel to make sure a room was available and the hotel contributed a complimentary breakfast, Fink said.

The woman was grateful and said she would spend the next two days contacting assistance programs that could help her get back on her feet, Fink said.

The officers will monitor the woman’s situation and see if further help is available.

The officers said the good Samaritan’s help reminded them of a movie about a holiday miracle, Fink said.

(Image via Shutterstock)