Chris’ story is one of strength and determination. As a 20-year-old student at Santa Ana College, he faced the overwhelming challenge of finding stable housing for himself and his younger brother while trying to avoid eviction. Balancing schoolwork, exams, and fees is tough enough—but it’s even harder when you’re unsure where you’ll sleep at night.
Despite these struggles, Chris found hope. He discovered a housing program that led him to StandUp for Kids, where he met Denise Zermeno, the Director of Housing and Mentoring Programs. Denise and her team did more than just offer temporary housing. They gave Chris a two-week hotel stay, provided furniture, groceries, and built a support system around him.
With the support of StandUp for Kids, Chris turned his life around. Once searching for temporary shelter, he’s now been living in stable housing for over a year. He credits Denise for being there when he needed it most, helping him gain life skills, stability, and a caring community. One moment that stood out for Chris was receiving a Christmas gift from the StandUp for Kids team. It made him realize how much they truly cared. In his words, “It’s not just a job. It was more than a job for her.”
Today, Chris isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving. He dreams of living a life where he no longer has to worry about money or stability. He’s well on his way to making that dream a reality. Now a youth speaker with a guard license and a steady job, Chris hopes to become a mentor one day, helping others like Denise helped him.
His story shows that no one has to fight alone. With the right support, incredible things are possible. Will you help someone like Chris find the light at the end of their tunnel? Together, we can change lives and build a stronger, caring community.
Chris will be one of our youth in attendance at our upcoming Gala, don’t miss your chance to hear more inspirational stories like his on Saturday, October 12 at 5:30pm at Fete The Venue in Costa Mesa! You can find out more information or purchase your tickets here.