Back in 2012, I was left feeling completely hopeless. Homeless and battling addiction, I had never felt more alone. That’s when a group of people from the San Diego Dream Center began to minister to me, offering me the love and support I had been missing for so long. Despite my fear of abandonment, I soon realized that their consistency and kindness were exactly what I needed to turn my life around. After a year of their unwavering love and support, I decided to enroll in the Los Angeles Dream Center’s one-year program. But right before I was set to begin, something unimaginable happened: I was stabbed and left for dead on the street. Miraculously, I survived the attack.

As I lay in the hospital recovering from my injuries, I knew that God had protected me and that I had a bigger purpose in life. It wasn’t long before I found myself in a transitional living facility, bored and looking for a way to pass the time. That’s when I picked up the Bible and turned to the book of John. As I read, I began to weep, overwhelmed by the love and acceptance I felt for the first time in my life. It was a moment that changed everything for me. A few months later, I entered the Dream Center’s one-year program and began to rebuild my life with God’s help. Through that time, God began to refine and restore not only my life but also my relationships with my family, something I had desired for so long. Today, I am blessed with a wonderful family of my own – a loving wife named Yvonne and two beautiful daughters, Kadence and Aria. Looking back on my journey, I am grateful for the love and support I received from the Dream Center and for the way that God protected me and guided me on my path. My story is one of hope and redemption, and I am grateful for every moment of it.

In October of 2022, our family of four relocated from San Diego to Waco to be closer to my wife’s family. Relocating from San Diego to Waco was a significant change for my family. Prior to our move, I had the privilege of managing a long-term program which housed 300 individuals experiencing homelessness. After joining Mission Waco and working with the continuum of care, here in Waco, Texas, I quickly realized the severe gaps in services available to the homeless population in Waco. It was shocking to learn that many people not only faced homelessness but also repeatedly returned to it after being housed. Through prayer and contemplation, I felt called to establish Hope Waco to help restore the lives of those experiencing homelessness through providing a one-year trauma-informed program that addresses the underlying issues and offers a path toward healing. I strongly believe that as a community, we can work together to end homelessness in Waco. Join me in this endeavor to make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.