My godmother used to drag me to church. One of those churches was New Beginnings, right across from the Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley. One day, I noticed people from the mission handing out food in the church foyer, and I began to wonder why they were doing that. So, I found the rescue mission on Google and then on Facebook and finally stopped by the mission itself. I was only 14 at the time, but they gave me a volunteer application and told me they would take care of me…and they did.

I was about three when Child Protective Services separated me from my brothers and sisters. My father was not a wise man. He was a gangster who was in and out of jail and is now serving a life term. At around five or six, my mother managed to get me back, but her drug use was overwhelming. I lived mostly on the streets from the age of seven. It was during those days that subtle heroes emerged into my life.

A former U.S. Marine took me to the VA to eat when I was hungry. The sweetest woman at Church’s Chicken always helped me by giving me food when I only asked for water. She could see I was going through hard times and she risked her job to help me. People like that really touched my heart. My last day on the streets was in seventh grade when my sister saw me and said I could not live like this and took me from the streets of San Bernardino to Barstow. I had been out of school for three years. Each of my siblings helped mold me into a good man. I moved to Victorville to live with my brother and I graduated from Victor Valley High School in 2016.

At the mission I met new heroes. They always made the environment welcoming. During my time volunteering at the mission, I realized I could change someone’s life. In 2014, I received awards for my acts. The awards are nice, but deep down I really want to help others and to give back as so many heroes helped me and touched my life while I struggled through difficult times at home and on the street.

My spiritual life has grown since coming to the mission as well. During my life on the streets, I believed in God but didn’t think it was worth my time. I was pretty angry and did not feel good about myself. The Christian atmosphere of the mission has made me feel closer to God. I have felt both safe and loved here. In a week, I leave for basic training in the United States Army. I am ready to be the hero now. A hero for my family, those on the streets, in church, and at the mission that helped me to not lose hope and to regain my joy.