Meet Rosie Rios of LOS ANGELES

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosie Rios

Hi Rosie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I STARTED WHEN I WAS AROUND 5, MY MOM AND DAD USED TO TAKE PEOPLE INTO THE HOUSE.
THEY WOULD GIVE OUT FOOD, CLOTHS, AND BLANKETS AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT AND WOULD ALWAYS REMIND MY MOM IT WAS TIME TO GIVE FOOD AND CLOTHS TO THE HOMELESS. I ALWAYS HAVE FELT REALLY SORRY FOR THEM SLEEPING IN THE COLD AND THE RAIN. AS I WAS GROWING UP I WOULD SEE THEM IN THE STREETS AND SAID TO MYSELF THAT ONE DAY I WOULD HELP THEM. AFTER MANY YEARS I OPENED UP AN 18-WHEELER TRUCKING COMPANY AND WE CLOSED AFTER EL NINO BECAUSE OF THE RAIN. I DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO SITTING AT THE TABLE LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND IT WAS REALLY COLD INSIDE AND OUT AND I SAW A SHIRTLESS MAN DIGGING IN THE TRASH CAN. I SAID TO MYSELF IF IM IN MY HOUSE COLD HE MUST BE FREEZING AND THATS WHEN GOD TOLD ME TO GO AND BUY BLANKETS, SWEATSHIRTS, AND GIVE OUT FOOD TO THE HOMELESS ON MY OWN. IN 1981 I GOT MY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION STARTED THEN GOD SPOKE TO ME AGAIN AND HE SAID “YOU NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH LOOKING IS NOT ENOUGH”. I SPENT 2 MONTHS ON SKID ROW AND IT WAS THE MOST PAINFUL EXPERIENCE BUT I WAS ABLE TO SEND PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR FAMILY. I BASICALLY WENT HOMELESS FOR 2 MONTHS VOLUNTARILY. I WAS ABLE TO BECOME AN AUTHOR OF 3 BOOKS. THE PEOPLE I MET SAID IT WAS A VERY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE. HOMELESS PEOPLE ENDURE A LOT OF PAIN.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
IT HAS BEEN A SMOOTH ROAD FOR ME BUT NOT FOR THE HOMELESS. I LIVE FOR THE HOMELESS AND THEIR PAIN. I CAN FEEL THEIR PAIN. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T SEE THE PAIN THEY JUST LOOK AT THEMSELVES AND NOT “THEM”. WE SPEND TOO MUCH TIME LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND THEY SUFFER. THERES 75,000 HOMELESS PEOPLE A NIGHT AND THERES ONLY 5,000 BEDS. 80-90% OF THE HOMELESS ARE MENTALLY ILL. THEY ARE SICK. PEOPLE SAY “THEY’RE OUT THERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE OUT THERE” BUT THEY DON’T AND THEY ARE BEING MISTREATED IN THE SHELTERS SO THEY FEEL SAFER ON THE STREET. BETWEEN 45-50YEAR OLD MEN ARE DYING YOUNG FROM THE WEATHER AND LACK OF FOOD.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
WHAT I AM KNOWN FOR IS HELPING THE HOMELESS. ITS MY LIFE. I AM MOST PROUD WHEN I KNOW I AM DOING SOMETHING TO HELP THE HOMELESS TO GET OUT OF THEIR SITUATION. WHAT SETS ME APART FROM OTHERS IS I DO WHAT I KNOW BEST, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD. I GIVE OUT BLANKETS, FOOD, LOCATE SHELTERS, CONNECT THEM BACK HOME TO THEIR FAMILY, MEDICAL ATTENTION, CONNECT VETANS WITH RESOURCES AND HOUSING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I DON’T LOOK AT LUCK, I LOOK AT WHAT GOD HAS DONE THROUGH ME TO HELP SOMEBODY ELSE IN NEED.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WWW.COVERTHEHOMELESSMINISTRY.ORG
• Other: [email protected]