A Perfect Fit: How an Unexpected Gift Bridges Communities and Highlights Re-Entry Challenges in Indianapolis

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness carry the greatest weight. For one man taking his first steps toward rebuilding his life after incarceration, that act came in the form of a pair of shoes.

A simple gesture from Elliott Levin, founder of Rubin & Levin, turned into something far greater than he expected. His donation of three pairs of size 17 shoes found a perfect match with a RecycleForce participant, creating not just comfort for one man’s journey forward, but a powerful reminder of how compassion can connect people who’ve both experienced life on the outside of opportunity.

At RecycleForce, staff members Ms. Baker, Preach, and Mr. Smith quickly realized the donation might meet an urgent need. One of their participants, Mr. Brewer, wore a rare size 17 and had been struggling to find shoes that fit, which is just one of many daily challenges he faces as he rebuilds his life after release. 

Mr. Brewer has been unable to live with his wife due to stringent housing requirements following his release, a common and difficult barrier for many formerly incarcerated individuals. “It’s hard finding a house with my wife. I can’t put my wife in a house with three other people, and it’s hard to find a landlord who will rent to me.”

The new shoes became a symbol of forward motion, of possibility, and of the human connection that can bridge the divides left by incarceration. 

RecycleForce President Gregg Keesling reflected, “This is one of those beautiful and impactful stories that reminds us how a single, thoughtful act can transcend differences and connect people on a human level. It’s a great example of how community support can help our participants navigate a difficult and often unforgiving system.”

The shoes have made a tangible difference, but the story runs much deeper than a simple act of charity. What makes this story even more poignant is the shared thread of exclusion that runs through it. Levin recalled growing up in an Indianapolis where both Jewish and Black residents were shut out of certain country clubs and public pools. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a lifeguard at one of the few pools that allowed Jewish people to swim. 

Decades later, his small gesture is helping to break down a different kind of barrier, the social and systemic walls that keep returning citizens from fully rejoining their communities. 

“Elliott is a very bright man who had a distinguished career as a lawyer until he retired in the last couple of years,” said Mickey Maurer. “During that career, he often found ways to give back to his community, sometimes by free advice and sometimes in volunteering. We all want to help out RecycleForce because we recognize how important the quest is to possibly affect people’s lives and what a good job Mr. Keesling and his staff are doing in that regard.”

“A quote that best characterizes Elliott Levin is his advice to all of us who work with and for him: ‘take the high road, as it is the one less traveled,’” said James Young, longtime colleague and Partner at Rubin & Levin. “Elliott has always said to do the right thing if there are multiple options available.”

From one man’s closet to another man’s comeback, this story is a reminder that connection can appear in the most unexpected ways, sometimes through a pair of shoes that fit just right, helping someone take their next step toward home.