Life is not easy and from one moment to another we can find ourselves in desperate situations for which we are not prepared. A bad streak can have very harsh consequences in our lives and in those moments all we need is a little kindness.
Brian Acosta knows well the importance of generosity and is aware of the enormous impact that a little kindness can have in the life of a person who is not in the best of times.
“I wanted to help people”
The Lincoln Tunnel Motel in North Bergen, New Jersey, has been in Brian’s family for years. Initially, the boy had no interest in continuing the family business, as his passion was acting, but a couple of years ago, he became a part owner. However, he had a very special vision for the place.
The story of how Brian turned his family’s motel into a very noble project began not long ago, when society was at a critical moment: in March 2020. The boy realized the situation in which many people lived due to the covid-19 pandemic and since I had already thought about giving away nights at the motel, this was just the push I needed to do it.
When the pandemic started, people were losing their homes and local shelters were full and not accepting more people. And I wanted to help people get off the streets, so I opened the doors of the Lincoln Tunnel Motel to whoever needed it.
not looking to make money
The Lincoln Tunnel Motel offers free or very low cost lodging, food and services to those who, for whatever reason, have no other place to spend the night. Brian says that the idea is to help people get ahead and improve their situation, if only for a moment. The nature of the project makes it non-profitable for Brian, but that doesn’t bother him, since that’s not his goal.
The purpose of this motel is not to make money. It is about improving the lives of people who are not in the best financial situation at the moment. This is not a place designed for tourists. They have many lodging options.
Creating a more generous community
Positive attitudes are very contagious and Brian’s kindness has spread throughout the area, as people now arrive who are not looking to rent rooms, but leave one or two paid for so that someone who is going to need it does not have to pay. In addition, there are people who make in-kind donations to the motel.
Sometimes people walk in and don’t rent rooms but say, ‘Hey, I want to rent this to the next person.’ That is incredible.
“I want the motel to be a ray of hope”
Brian’s mission is very noble, at the end of the day, he simply wanted to find the best possible way to help those most in need in his community. He wants his motel to always represent hope and to be known as a place where anyone in need can find shelter and be treated with respect.
This motel will always be an accessible place where people in the community who need shelter can stay and get the support they need, always with a lot of respect from me and my employees. I want the Lincoln Tunnel Motel to be a beacon of hope for the community. And if the best thing I can do to spread hope around the world is to give someone in need a room, I’m glad I can.