Joshua Thomas Liljenquist (@joshlilj) facilities his TikTok content material round serving to folks in want, and just lately, he helped out a person named John who stole the hearts of tens of millions of individuals on-line.
On Might 24, 2023, Joshua posted a 2-minute video that includes John the place he requested him about what his life regarded like proper now and what he wished to do with it — briefly explaining his hardships.
John had simply been launched from jail the place he spent the final 12 years of his life.
Upon his method, Joshua requested John how he was doing and what he was as much as. It regarded like he was ready for a bus or one thing, however had a bag with him and a few belongings close by. He responded, “I simply obtained out of jail man.” All of the issues close to him had been all the things he needed to his title as he had simply spent the final 12 years in jail for drug trafficking costs.
“I was a drug supplier. I’m attempting to do the appropriate factor, however I ain’t obtained no cash, I ain’t obtained nothing man,” John explains. “I simply obtained out this morning.” Joshua is unphased by the story he needed to inform and even says “Congratulations!” to the person earlier than asking him if there’s something he can do to assist.
John asks if he may spare a couple of {dollars}, reiterating that he has nothing — that each one he’s eaten for the final 12 years is jail meals, and revealing that he lives in a midway home in downtown Minneapolis. “You’re in luck man as a result of I’m out blessing folks at the moment,” Joshua says, handing him a $100 invoice. John’s emotional and asks for a hug, however it doesn’t finish there.
John explains how he’s engaged on getting a brand new telephone and tells Joshua to present him his quantity in order that when he will get one, they’ll keep in contact.
“After which we are able to go get some lunch or do no matter,” Joshua provides to their hypothetical. “Yeah, man! You wanna go to McDonald’s?” John continues including, however Joshua takes him critically. “You need to go now?”
Joshua takes John to McDonald’s and so they get ice cream collectively.
Joshua and John hang around collectively, have some McDonald’s eat their ice cream, and after they’re all stated and accomplished it’s about time for them to half approach, however Joshua stated that wouldn’t be the tip, and he’s proper.
In a second video, Joshua takes John round to some shops the place he applies for a job after which again to McDonald’s the place they discuss his life story.
“I’m attempting to do one thing higher with my life, I need higher for me,” he explains.
Photograph: @joshlilj / TikTok
He claims that his mom deserted him when he was younger, and so his grandfather, who sadly handed away, took them in. His relationship along with his father is somewhat shaky, however he doesn’t have a variety of household left so he says “Don’t get me improper, I really like my pops.”
He talks about how he hates being a bum and hates being talked about like a bum, and the way a lot he desires to alter his life for the higher, so by the tip of the video, Joshua asks him how he’d get to work if any of the roles he utilized for employed him.
John claims he’d take the bus, however Joshua had a greater concept and instructed him he’d begin a GoFundMe to see what they might do for him.
Joshua’s GoFundMe raised over $11,000 for John.
In a 3rd video, Joshua reveals that his GoFundMe raised $11,197 for an ecstatic John. “What the f–k man! Thanks, man! D–n dude,” he exclaims earlier than stepping into for a hug. “Thanks, man, God is sweet.”
Having that reward to fall again on is vital to staying out of jail, because the Jail Coverage Initiative experiences that “previously incarcerated persons are most definitely to be homeless within the interval shortly after their launch” and sometimes face discrimination in relation to making use of for jobs.
John then explains what he’s going to make use of the cash for, and that’s to go to Mississippi. Within the feedback, Joshua reveals that John has household in Memphis (proper on the border of Mississippi) that he wished to go see, and they also went collectively to a Greyhound terminal to get him a bus ticket for Memphis.
“Yeah, I wish to purchase a ticket to Memphis,” John excitedly tells the folks behind the counter. “It’s form of like a tragic however blissful second man,” Joshua says, unhappy that his buddy could be leaving. “I do know, I do know bro. I simply can’t wait to get residence man,” John responds, holding his head in his fingers.
After the ticket is completed and bought, they took one final journey to get John a few of his favourite meals earlier than getting on the street — McDonald’s. Their spirits are excessive and the temper is lifted as Joshua and John take pleasure in their final McDonald’s journey collectively.
When Joshua helps John onto the bus, nonetheless, he will get emotional, however John lets him know that they’ll keep in contact. “I’m severe, I’m going to name you bro, don’t cry bro,” to which Joshua replies “It’s not goodbye, it’s so long.”
John and Joshua repeatedly trade some “I really like you”s right here and there, and John makes certain to ask him in the event that they’ll keep in contact, replying that after all they might.
John’s willingness to alter and enhance his life proves that everybody deserves a second probability, and Joshua was glad that he was the person who may present him with one.
Isaac Serna-Diez is an Assistant Editor for YourTango who focuses on leisure and information, social justice, and politics.
