I once woke up on a stretcher, the stench of my own neglect filling the air, while a doctor questioned me from across the room with her hand over her nose. That moment of humiliation could have been the end— but it became the beginning. Today, I’m providing homes for people who feel as forgotten as I once did.

My story isn’t unique—but, like so many others, it’s profoundly human and deeply moving. I endured a perfect storm of loss and hardship: the devastating death of my son in a tragic accident, followed by a spiral into major depression, addiction, divorce, and unemployment. Each blow stripped away another layer of stability, until I was left barely holding on.

Many people in my position give up—and we see them every day. They slip through the cracks of society, ending up in shelters, on the streets, or lost to the world entirely. Somehow, I held on.

In my darkest moments, I could still hear the voices of my grandmother, my pastors, and the counselors who once spoke life and hope into me. Their words echoed through the silence, reminding me that I was not beyond redemption. That flicker of hope became the strength I needed to lift my head and try again. What they had planted in me was a mustard seed of faith—and it was just enough.

And that’s when something remarkable happened.

Someone—someone like you—chose to give. They supported a local organization that steps in during life’s lowest moments. Because of that one act of generosity, I got the help I so desperately needed, exactly when I needed it most.

Today, I’m standing—not because the path became easier, but because someone cared enough to make sure I didn’t have to walk it alone.

This new venture exists for people like me. People who just need a chance. A moment of compassion. A helping hand to keep going.

And sometimes, that moment—the one that changes everything—starts with people like you.

Sincerely,

Dan