Francisco: Regaining Independence, One Step at a Time

Some accidents change more than a body — they change the entire trajectory of a life. For Francisco Perez, a workplace injury that led to a hip replacement set off a chain of events that left him and his 80-year-old wife living out of a van, searching for stability in the most vulnerable of circumstances.

But even in the depths of hardship, connection can find you when you least expect it. In his own words, Francisco shares how South County Community Services' Unhoused Compassion Division found him on a garlic farm — and helped him rebuild not just a home, but a future.

Francisco P.

Five years ago, I had an accident at my job that resulted in the need for a hip replacement. It felt as though my wings, hopes, dreams, and entire life had been abruptly halted. Unable to afford my home, I eventually became homeless and resided in my van with my 80-year-old wife, who requires a wheelchair.

South County Community Services, (The Unhoused Compassion Division) discovered me on a garlic farm. Three women from the Center provided us with food, water, clothes, and blankets when we were stressed, desperate, and feeling empty. Having someone extend help made me feel like a member of a family again. I realized I wasn't alone. They offered a spot at their safe park where my wife and I could rest through the night, which we greatly appreciated.

I am currently in the process of securing housing, for which I am immensely grateful to the Compassion Center, as I wouldn't have been able to do it without them. With the staff’s support, I achieved my goal of obtaining my green card. Now, I feel empowered to pursue better job opportunities and regain my independence, all thanks to the unwavering support of the Community Services Unhoused Compassion folks. The door to success has been reopened for me!

— Francisco Perez

Francisco's journey is a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone — even those who have spent a lifetime working hard and caring for their families. What he needed most wasn't just food, water, or shelter, though those mattered deeply. It was the knowledge that someone saw him, believed in him, and refused to let him face it alone.

Today, with his green card secured and housing within reach, Francisco stands at the threshold of the independence he once feared he'd lost forever. His story is proof that compassion, offered at the right moment, can reopen doors that seemed permanently closed.