He gave a $4 million complex to house single mothers in recovery from addiction.

A guardian angel for single mothers

Wise men say that unless you have something that money cannot buy, you are not truly wealthy. If this principle is applied in real life, travel writer and guru Rick Steves could become one of the world’s truly wealthy people.

The wealthy individual understands how to invest and spend his money wisely, but not in the way that most people would expect him to. Rick invests not in a profit-making business, but in assisting the socially disadvantaged and the community as a whole.

Rick steves gets a hug.

Rick, as an experienced traveler, understood what it was like to have nothing but a backpack. He knew what it was like to sleep on the streets, to struggle to find a cheap and free place to sleep where all of your valuables, including your life, would be safe and secure.

As a result, Rick decided to help single mothers get a place to live after establishing a successful hosting career on Travel Channel.

Rick purchased the Trinity Place apartment complex in 2005 with the intention of providing a warm home to recovering single mothers for free. Rick did not collect a rental fee and would rather rely on the complex’s increasing equity for additional income.

“Imagine the joy of knowing that I could provide a simple two-bedroom apartment for a mother and her children as she battled to get her life back on track,” Rick says of his nest egg.

Rick Steves in one of his travels.

Since then, the Trinity Place has served as a safe haven for single mothers recovering from drug addiction. This was made possible by the Rotary Club and the YWCA, who proactively met the needs of recovering single mothers in order for them to get back on their feet.

Rick recently decided to up the ante on his generous and selfless gesture. He has made the decision to donate his 24-unit apartment complex to the YWCA.

As a result, the organization will be able to maximize their plans for caring for recovering single mothers, knowing that the apartment is theirs to keep in perpetuity.

“We publicized this creative way of putting a fortunate person’s retirement nest egg to work in a powerful way in the hopes that others would be inspired to do the same in their communities,” Rick explained.

“In our country, the gap between rich and poor continues to grow.” And I believe that as budget cuts are implemented, needs such as affordable housing will only grow… Organizations such as the YWCA will have to fill the void.

If our country truly wants to be great, we need to think creatively and with our hearts.

And it is my hope that love and compassion will triumph over values such as crass commercialism, greed, and ‘winners’ vs. ‘losers’.” Rick, an inspiring travel enthusiast, shared his story.

Tamara shared how the Trinity Place assisted her in raising her children while she was still recovering, demonstrating how Rick’s generous and compassionate heart made a significant difference in the lives of others.

The playground

“It means being able to have my kids with me, and being able to raise them and be a mom again and get my life back on track,” Tamara, who was homeless a year ago, shared.

Indeed, Rick’s selfless decision only goes to show that not everything in this world should be about money. More than money, Rick is able to make a big difference and save a life. No material wealth could ever compare with what Rick has sown in the world- compassion.

Watch the inspiring video of Rick below to learn more about his selfless yet soul-enriching housing project for single mothers recovering from drug addiction.

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He gave a $4 million complex to house single mothers in recovery from addiction.
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