Many of us have conflicted responses when we are approached by a homeless person asking for change. Sometimes, we feel compelled to give. Other times, we are skeptical, or in a hurry. But for one woman in New York City, the power of trust in a fellow human being trumps all uncertainty. When recently approached by homeless Jay Valentine outside a restaurant one evening, Merrie Harris found herself with no spare change and a big heart. "Can I trust you?" she asked. "I'm honest, yes," he replied. And true to his word, Valentine went to a nearby store, bought about 25 dollars worth of basic food and toiletries, and returned the credit card to Harris. "I wasn't tempted at all," says Brooklyn native. "She trusted me, and I didn't want to violate that trust. I would never do that."
