Armand Young: A Story of Human Kindness

Original Story by Amber Miller

9:17 p.m. EDT, July 16, 2012
WEST YORK, YORK COUNTY—

LaShawn Ferguson has been looking for a home since Easter. The 32-year-old and her 10-year-old daughter, over the past few months, have been living in Ferguson’s car, shelters, and Ferguson’s mother’s house. The York woman has a job, but told FOX43 she simply did not have enough money to pay the upfront security deposit and first month’s rent needed to have a place of her own.

“How do you tell your child like she doesn’t have her own room or a place to sleep,” said Ferguson. “Tonight we’re here. Tonight we’re sleeping somewhere else and she sometimes, she just wants to go to her room.”

Enter Armand Young, who has walked from California to Ground Zero in New York. Last month he began the trek from New York to California. Along the way Young commits acts of kindness as a way to honor 9/11 victims and soldiers. On Monday, Young presented Ferguson with her new home. It was his 414th presentation. In order to help her get on her feet, the landlord waived both the security deposit and first month’s rent.

“I ask people ‘hey who do you know in this town that really needs a break?’”, said Young. “’Who do you know that has a family that really would make it work?’” As he walks, Young carries a pole decorated with American flags. 500,000 signatures adorn both the flags and pole. Young asks each person who signs to pay it forward. When he reaches California he hopes one million homeless families will be in a home and millions will be touched by his efforts.

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