Grateful for the Journey and Road Ahead

Today marks five years since I stepped into leadership at La Casa Norte, and I could not be more grateful for this journey. Leading this organization has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team to create real opportunities that help youth, families, and our community thrive.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how much La Casa Norte has grown. We haven’t just expanded our reach—we’ve transformed how we serve, advocate, and build pathways to stability. But that transformation didn’t happen overnight—it was shaped by the challenges we faced and the choices we made during critical moments.

I still rememeber the first major decision I had to make when I joined La Casa Norte. The entire city started shutting down due to the global pandemic and I had to decide how to respond. The crisis was evolving rapidly, and I was still getting to know the organization. The situation was "fluid," which was code for "nobody had a clue what to do." But one thing was certain: we were not going to close our programs. La Casa Norte was founded to serve youth and families during some of the toughest moments in their lives, and that commitment would not waver on my watch. In the face of uncertainty, we doubled down on our mission—leaning into the moment, expanding emergency services, and adapting to ensure our community still had a place to turn.

We didn’t just survive pandemic — we emerged stronger and more resilient.

Despite the challenges of that time, I have never once regretted stepping into this role. I believe the world conspired to bring me here. I was exactly where God wanted me to be. Every lesson and experience in my career prepared me for that moment. Today, I am just as committed as I was on day one—perhaps even more so.

The work is far from over. The world continues to throw curveballs our way, and uncertainty remains, but so does our resolve. We made it through a pandemic, navigated the Great Resignation, and no matter what comes next, we will meet it head-on—because resilience is in our DNA.

As I reflect on these past five years, I am deeply grateful—not just for what we have accomplished, but for the people who make this work possible. The heart of La Casa Norte is not just in our programs or the numbers we reach, but in the unwavering dedication of our team, partners, and supporters who believe that housing is more than shelter—it’s hope, stability, and opportunity.

I am beyond grateful to my wife and kids for their love and support, which allows me to do this work. I am grateful to our team, board, partners, and every single person who stands with us in this mission. Your commitment makes all of this possible.

And above all, I am grateful to God for putting me on this path.

Here’s to the road ahead.

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