This Homeless Woman, Who Works Full-Time At Home Depot, Is Being Showered With Support On TikTok
Aaliyah, a twenty-two-year-old Home Depot employee, went viral on TikTok after sharing her heartbreaking story of trying to make ends meet.
“When you gotta work an eight-hour shift, five days a week, and people don’t even know you sleep in a car,” Aaliyah said, “You do your hair in the car or a place that opens early so you can brush your teeth.”
She also admitted to taking showers at Planet Fitness.
“People wonder why you’re always so tired and barely smile,” Aaliyah continued, “But, I’m still here to make money so I can eat.”
Aaliyah’s video, posted to her account @Oc.liyahh, reached over five million people and garnered over eight hundred thousand likes.
Many people identified with Aaliyah’s story and shared heartfelt support and encouragement for her journey.
“Girl, I’ve been there. Keep it up. You’re going to get back up on your feet, I promise,” commented one user.
“That was me once upon a time. Let me tell you– there is nowhere to go but up now! I truly wish you the best in your future endeavors,” commented another user.
TikTok; pictured above is Aaliyah in her video
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Still, some people in the TikTok community accused Aaliyah of lying about her situation.
“She’s clearly not homeless! She’s someone begging for attention,” commented one hateful user. Aaliyah posted a follow-up video in response to this accusation.
There, she showed her car packed full of her belongings. There is barely enough room for Aaliyah’s legs.
Despite the doubters, most of Aaliyah’s followers advised her to reach out to Home Depot’s “Homer Fund.”
The Homer Fund “provides financial assistance to associates facing unexpected hardships.”
One of her followers, who also worked at Home Depot, described her very similar situation.
“I worked at Home Depot and was sleeping in the car. They offer grants to employees, and they moved me into my first apartment. I was only part-time, too,” the user commented.
Aaliyah did end up reaching out to the Homer Fund and posted a video thanking everyone who gave her advice.
“I want to thank the homer fund and everybody who suggested it. With everybody’s support, they reached out to me and gave me emergency funding to get a hotel for some time. Hopefully, I will get permanent housing,” Aaliyah said, updating the TikTok community.
Aaliyah’s story is just one example of how social media can pull communities together and make a difference in someone’s life.
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