2007 was a challenging year for Harbor City truck driver Richard Navarro. The 44-year-old was laid off from work, discovered he had cancer and was evicted from his home after spending his savings on medical care.

But now, Richard and his 16-year-old son Nathan are counting their blessings from their bunk beds in Rio Hondo Temporary Home, a United Way partner which provides transitional shelter and supportive services to homeless families with children in southeast Los Angeles County.

“It was a snowball effect; one big blow after another,” says Richard. “It takes away your dignity, you feel powerless. Then you got to look your kid in the eye and think that you let him down, which is the ultimate reality.”

Nathan, a junior in high school and keen hip hop dancer, never stopped believing in his father even when they were living in a van on the street.

“We lived in the van for about two weeks. Nathan was eating at school and we got by on whatever I could hustle during the day,” says Richard. “Nathan was a trooper. He never stopped believing in me. He’s grown into a fine young man and I’m very proud of him.”

The family’s eviction last May coincided with the end of the school year for Nathan. “I was trying to get my grades up. I had study times so I did all my homework there. And I took extra classes to supplement my grades,” he adds.

After the van, father and son moved in with friends from church for three weeks before the opportunity at Rio Hondo came up.

“You get to stay up to 16 months, but I knew from day one I had to take advantage of this. We just needed time to regroup and this has been one blessing after another.”

Through Rio Hondo, Richard learned about Franklin Career College. He was three-quarters of the way through his course when Sears came to interview candidates.

“I didn’t think I was ready, but out of the six people, they hired me.”

He’s now working full-time as a Sears technician, repairing washers and dryers and doing scheduled maintenance.  His cancer is being treated with radiation and medication – which he continues to take.

“We have a roof, we have meals, we have some friends here. It’s a really good thing,” says Richard. “The future isn’t so black anymore. In fact, it’s very bright.

“So bright,” he adds, laughing, “we should be wearing sunglasses.”

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