A Venezuelan mom asked for help in a Denver neighborhood Facebook group. Someone unexpected responded

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says a friendship between his family and a Venezuelan family who arrived in the city last year shows the importance of human connection.

Simaray Sanzo was desperate. Her time in a hotel serving as a shelter for migrant families was about to run out. She and her husband, Samuel, didn’t have jobs or anywhere to live with their 6-year-old son, Santi (short for Santiago). So she posted in a Denver neighborhood Facebook group seeking any kind of help she could get. A private message landed in her inbox less than 30 minutes later: “Hi Sima — bienvenidos a Denver! I can try to help you all some!” Simaray was surprised someone had responded so quickly. The message would end up changing her life.