“I was born in Oregon. I came here in 2004 to seek a new life. Oregon wasn't ideal for me anymore, and so I came down this way and started a new life here. My initial thoughts when I first got here was city. I grew up kind of more in the country, so it was a little different to get used to … but I really like it here. I have two boys from a previous marriage … and my children are here, my wife now is here, so this is home.
But during my time here, I’m not going to lie, I got into some trouble myself here and made my way into the wonderful correctional facilities here. I had to learn a lesson. After I learned that lesson, I stayed on the straight, but still had struggles with addiction.
I was suffering knowing who I was inside, but still portraying what society wanted me to be at the time, which was male, and not living up to my full potential. It was difficult, it was really difficult.
Struggling with addiction, I found myself on the streets, on and off. Then I got clean … until I was raped, after coming out in 2019. And that sent me into another spiral and back to addiction, which led me to pretty much find the Our Place shelter.
The first time I was there, it was refreshing. I’m going to say it was very lively. It seemed like they had something positive to do for the community. I stayed there about three different times, on and off, still struggling with addiction, bouncing around with partners, finding the right space for myself. And then ended up going back on the streets.
I did a little bit of traveling to … find myself. I ended up going to 68 different cities and 11 different states, once again finding my way back to Reno and home . My kids are here, so I wanted to come back to them, but I did get a chance to kind of explore a lot of the Western states … and visit family in Texas, and just see what was out there.
[People I interacted with on the streets and at Our Place] … I actually ran into a couple of them recently. They're still struggling. Myself being in a better position, I was able to offer them some clothing, some bottled waters out of the back of my car. I always try to keep clothes that I've either grown out of or I've come across and keep in the back of my car for people who are cold and need a little bit of help, you know?
I made a really good friend while at Our Place and we ended up getting married. So, yeah, she's my star.
Advice for others? Don't give up. Keep pushing forward. Whatever comes your way, just keep pushing forward. I read something [recently] … on my Facebook. It was really cute. I don't know if I'm gonna say it it exactly right, but it said that a bow and arrow has to be pulled backwards. So if you feel like you're going backwards and struggling in life, just remember that when the arrow is released, it goes forward launching you into successes.”