I know what it feels like to live on the streets. That experience stays with me every time we go out for outreach in San Bernardino. It shapes how I see the people we meet and reminds me to approach each person with humility. I know a small part of what they may be facing. Their full story belongs to them.
On November 1, I was grateful to have Sindy Valdez, a member of St. Joseph Collaborative’s board, and Elizabeth Sutcliffe, co-founder of Warriors for Life Media, serving alongside me.
There is something deeply meaningful about sharing this work with people who care about both the mission and the neighbors behind it. St. Joseph Collaborative carries a great deal of my heart. Seeing others give their time to it reminds me that we are building something together.
For Sindy, being present on the streets connects her leadership on the board with the daily work of serving our community. I value that connection. As we make decisions about where this organization is going, we need to stay close to the people we are here to serve. Their needs should help shape our priorities.
Having Elizabeth with us was another blessing. I am grateful for her friendship and for her willingness to spend time serving alongside us during her visit to Southern California. Sharing the work gives people a closer understanding of why it matters to me—and why I am committed to continuing it.
The words that come to mind when I reflect on this outreach are simple: prayer changes things.
I believe that because of what God has done in my own life. His mercy has given me a reason to keep moving forward and a responsibility to use my life well. Serving our neighbors is one way I respond to that mercy.
Prayer helps me return to the right intention. It reminds me to listen before assuming, to serve with patience, and to remember that I am still growing, too. My lived experience gives me a connection to this work, but it does not mean I have every answer. I need God’s guidance, and I need people around me who bring their own gifts and perspectives.
That is part of what made November 1 meaningful. We were able to share the responsibility of showing up.
As St. Joseph Collaborative grows, I want us to preserve that personal commitment. Food, water, hygiene supplies, transportation, and funding are essential to sustaining outreach. So are the relationships that help us understand where support is needed and how to offer it respectfully.
My hope is to build an organization our neighbors can depend on. That takes steady work behind the scenes and people willing to invest in the mission over time.
Thank you, Sindy and Elizabeth, for being part of this day. Thank you also to everyone who supports us through prayer, service, donations, and encouragement. I see the generosity behind those contributions, and I am grateful.
If you would like to support St. Joseph Collaborative, we welcome conversations about volunteering, donating supplies, or helping fund our outreach. Your involvement can help us continue serving our neighbors here in San Bernardino.
For my part, I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be here, doing this work, with people willing to walk beside me. I pray that we keep growing in wisdom, remain faithful to the mission, and make good use of every opportunity to serve.
That is how love shows up—and how we intend to keep serving San Bernardino.
