I was born in L.A. Ca. In the Orange County area. When I was 2 yrs. old, my family moved to Turlock, Ca. I attended kindergarten and first grade there. Then we moved to Ceres and I went to High School there. Before I graduated, I went to Modesto, Downey, Davis and Frontier High School also. I wound up finishing high school in Ceres at Argus High. We moved around alot with my Mother. I had 4 stepdads, but never knew my real father. Before high school was over, I left home. My mother lost custody of her youngest child, then she moved out of the state of California. Now that I was on my own, I looked for odd fobs, here and there. I stayed at friends houses, on the street, and at the job sights where I would work.
Not having a home caused me to feel unstable, alone, angry, resentfull, and unsure of the future. But I was trying to do the best that I could. When I was 27 I met Tricia, we were together for about 5 yrs, then got married. We met in 1987. We were married in 1996. We struggled with finances and having a place to live. I ran with the dogs and got flea's quite often. But Tricia was faithfull to stay with me. We would always beat the odds. Over the yrs. my main objective has been to restore homes, and allow other homeless people to help me. And in return I would help them learn a trade, build self confidence, and even have a place to lay their head. I would stay on the property myself, while restoring the home. I have alot of memories of huge fireplaces with even bigger fires, warming me, my family, and the people working for me, at the vacant houses after dark. In the winter time we kept very warm and were very thankful.
I wish some of the home owners would have appreciated us more than they did. In 1983 my wife had a child. Tricia had him before we had met. But he became my little boy in time. His name is wayne. I am very proud of him. Some people say that he looks just like me. This makes me happy. Wayne is 21 yrs old now, and is considering joining a Christian program at the Modesto Union Gospel Mission, in Modesto, Ca. My wife volunteers at a Mental Health recreation fascility called the Sunshine Place. She supports me in many things that I do and say. 1994 is when I started running for City Council in Modesto, Ca. I ran in 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001. I intended to run again, even though I wasn't elected. I made the Newspaper 30 times, and T.V. numorouse times. I was a very seriouse candidate and wanted to make a difference in Community needs. I organized a riverside cleanup crew, made up of homeless people. It was succesful and pointed everyone in the right direction. Two officials from Hud Housing, Greg Lamb and Scott Baker, allowed me to bring homeless off the streets and onto the job sights for places to sleep, while restoring the vacant homes.
This idea helped new found Contractors assemble affordable crews. It also provided security against vandalism and theft on the job sights. And this was all through Hud-Housing. One community project in particular was, restoring the Bald Eagle Ranch House, owned by Oramil Mchenry. It was a beutiful success. Before finishing the Mchenry project, I was attacked by a homeless person. He busted my jaw, cracked my skull, shattered my cheeck bone, and almost ruptured my eyeball. Being homeless myself, many times in my life, keeps me in focus on my community and what it needs concerning these issue's. I will always keep an open heart for the poverty stricken, the homeless, and the hopelessness that many people experience. Hello, please, anybody-just help me. And I'll help you too. My favorite color is purple. I like all kinds of food, just give me some. My most favorite hobby is, old, vacant, house's. My favorite T.V. program is the Munsters. My nationality is, Irish, Dutch, German, Mixican, and Apache Indian. I was baptised when I was 18 at the U.P.C., on I street, in Modesto, Ca. How could I not believe in God? By dealing with the Homeless to certain depths, I became Homeless myself. I really do care about other people and what happens to them. I didn't get elected on City Council, but that's ok. And having promised my wife no more detrement, against her household, here we go again.... |
