Ruben aspired to be a mechanical engineer but struggled throughout his adolescent years with drugs, alcohol and depression. When his great
grandfather fell ill five years ago, Ruben agreed to care for him until his
passing. During that time, he found
himself falling deeper into depression, addiction and difficulty with his
personal relationships. After his
grandfather’s death, Ruben found the occasional job doing yard work but could
not seem to make ends meet to get his life on track.
He was homeless when he went to Victor Valley College (VVC) to register. The staff at VVC recognized that Ruben needed more than his college coursework. He needed a home and guidance to get on his feet before he could take on his academic pursuits. They got him in touch with the staff at Cedar House Life Change Center’s Oasis House right away.
When Ruben moved into Oasis House, he felt relieved to have the necessities, like food and housing, taken care of so he could prepare himself to begin college. He says:
“Oasis House has taken away the worries of my next meal and suffering through an empty stomach.”
He says he is receiving “really good support” from the house manager at Oasis House and appreciates how safe he feels when he is there. At Oasis House, Ruben not only receives all the comforts of home, but he also has access to the resources he needs to succeed in college, begin working and live a clean and sober life. All he needed was a little guidance.