Homelessness has always been close to my heart.
As a young professional in Los Angeles, I would make a point to talk to the homeless - to ask them their name, share a few words and pray together. Through that I’ve developed some of the most meaningful friendships of my life.
I remember meeting Byron who lived on Skid Row while my wife and I started dating. I walked her to her car in downtown LA on a rainy evening and he approached us. After she was safely in her car, Bryon told me, “You have to marry that girl.” It started to rain and I gave him my umbrella, a sleeping bag from my trunk and a rosary. He asked how he can repay me and I asked for his prayers. In an instant, he put his hands on my head and prayed over me - he prayed for my future wife and I, for our children, and even their children. He prayed for our guardian angels and all the guardian angels of my line for generations. It was an incredibly powerful prayer. Byron and I became friends.
I reflect on another friend named Johnny, who used to ask for money on the corner outside my office at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. We shared lunch on his 75th birthday, and he offered me some of the best life advice I’ve ever received. He told me that only two people have ever raised the dead “Jesus Christ and Dr. Frankenstein” saying, “only one gives new life and the other creates a monster.” He concluded his point, “only Jesus can bring new life from pain. If we hold on too tight to what is supposed to die, we create a monster.” Johnny wasn’t just a friend he was a spiritual mentor.
Through those friendships, I’ve seen first hand the daily struggles our homeless brothers and sisters face - from addiction and illness to the constant fear of assault and theft. I’ve seen good men struggle to hold on to light in very dark situations. How can someone get an apartment or apply for assistance when their ID keeps getting stolen? This is not an uncommon problem. It happened to Byron over and over. One day he needed to use my phone to try to track down a birth certificate. It was a joy to see him get housing nearly 1 year later.
People like Byron and Johnny aren’t exceptions. They are a growing swath of the American population. Homelessness has reached crisis levels across the country - over 771,480 people experienced homelessness in the United States last year, the highest number on record.
But, amid the tragedy there is hope.
A partner in our business, Mr. Terry Caster, is a real estate developer and philanthropist who decided to take meaningful action. He is working to provide the homeless with a safe, transitional community where they can rebuild, and access the services they need to get back on their feet - with special areas for families, for women, and for men to ensure proper care and dignity. This isn’t just a homeless shelter, it's practically a town complete with housing, services, healthcare and counseling that will be built on Federal land with the support of the US Government.
Sunbreak Ranch would be a triage first, safe place where the unhoused can receive care and their needs would be identified to help get them break the cycle of homelessness and overcome the challenges that made them homeless - be it drugs, alcohol, abuse or countless other issues.
I encourage you to watch this recent interview with Mr. Caster and Raymond Arroyo of EWTN, where he shares the heart and vision behind this incredible mission: Watch on YouTube.
And to learn more about this inspiring project at Sunbreak Ranch. And the many wonderful people already endorsing this project.
So, here’s what the project needs to become a reality - Sunbreak Ranch is already funded, so it doesn’t need your money. The final piece is getting the government to push this historical initiative across the finish line. If you believe in this project, please write your representatives including President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance to encourage them to help Sunbreak Ranch happen.
Most importantly, let’s continue to pray for all those living on the streets - and for the people and projects bringing them hope, healing, and a home.
God bless you,
Matt