News Summary

Sufiy Davis didn't envision difficulty in finding a good paying job after graduating from Wittenberg University in 2000 with a psychology degree and moving to Columbus.

But after weeks of searching, Davis reeled in her pride and settled into a low-paying position with the community service organization, City Year.

Without enough money for an apartment, Davis began searching for homeless shelters, but was saved at the last minute when a room opened at the YWCA's hostel.

"This is going to be the most humbling experience of my life," she remembered thinking. "I wasn't on my high-horse anymore."

For 10 months, Davis saved her money and lived at the YWCA, receiving meals from the hostel's pantry and the formerly incarcerated women who were her roommates.

Davis has since married, given birth to a now 14-month-old daughter, lives in a house in Columbus, and works as a community therapist and day care provider.

But she didn't forget the people she met at the YWCA, and after watching an "Oprah" episode where Oprah Winfrey gave audience members $1,000 to spend on a complete stranger, Davis decided to spread her own goodwill. Now Davis will appear on the talk show at 4 p.m. today on Channel 2.

Since the opening of "The Pursuit of Happyness" on Dec. 15, Davis brings 10 homeless people a week to see the movie and talk about perseverance, dedication, hope and optimism.

"It's just for people to get a fountain of inspiration," Davis said. "When they're facing hard times, at least they'll have visual encouragement from the film."

Davis knew she was touching lives when, after her first trip to the theater, one man covered his face with his hands and broke down sobbing and shaking.

"He just looked at me and said 'Thank you. Thank you,'" Davis said.

Once "The Pursuit of Happyness" leaves theaters, Davis plans to purchase DVDs of the movie along with copies of the book and audio tapes to give to Columbus homeless shelters.

Davis wants to guarantee that Columbus' homeless always will have some inspiring scenes to remind them that happiness is not an elusive dream, forever out of grasp.

"There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, whether it looks like it or not," Davis said.