Homeless to Homeowner: A single father's journey
Thanks to your gifts, Pedro Zaragoza went from being homeless to owning his very own house.
Reaching this milestone was not easy. Although Pedro has always worked hard and held down a job, the single father had been addicted to marijuana for 17 years. He hit bottom in April 2021 after a series of tragic events altered his life in western Minnesota, including divorce, the death of his father, losing part of his finger in a work accident, and learning that his landlord would not renew his lease that May.
“I knew I needed to be a better person and dad,” explained Pedro, 37, who has two young daughters. “On April 19, 2021, I prayed to God that if He would take away my addiction, I would follow wherever He led me.”
The next day, Pedro’s addiction vanished.
Soon afterward, God led Pedro to The Salvation Army in Willmar on the day he and his girls lost their apartment.
“My kids and I literally were homeless,” Pedro said. “I didn’t know much about The Salvation Army – just that they helped people.”
A Salvation Army caseworker named Kandi was happy to help. She secured a hotel room for the family, preventing them from having to sleep in Pedro’s car.
Pedro also signed up for a Salvation Army mentoring program called Pathway of Hope, which provided him spiritual guidance, help finding housing, practical items such as clothing and gas cards, and other support during the months ahead.
Kandi soon referred Pedro to a local nonprofit that found him subsidized housing. He stayed there for two years, during which time he received nonstop support from The Salvation Army – including help with food, budgeting, raising his credit score, prayer, and a listening ear. Pedro even got baptized in 2022.
“The Salvation Army helped build me back up,” said Pedro, who now works full-time for a local electrical supply company. “They genuinely cared. They were exactly what I needed.”
All of Pedro’s hard work paid off when he was able to purchase a home in June 2024. The modest house includes three bedrooms, two baths, a garage, and a shed in the backyard. He lives there with his daughters and aging mother, who is disabled.
“I never dreamed I would have a home,” Pedro added, fighting back tears. “I’m grateful for all The Salvation Army did for me. They helped me turn my life around.”
You can join The Salvation Army's mission of serving others by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer.