Carlos Rojas: A Journey from Homelessness to Stability
Carlos Rojas, a resident of San Francisco, is learning to find joy in the fundamental aspects of life, such as having shelter and safety—luxuries he deeply values after spending three years without a home. His struggles began after he suffered a gunshot wound that ended his ability to work and plunged him into financial instability.
Navigating the Challenges of Homelessness
“I got shot and I wasn’t able to work no more,” Rojas recounted, indicating how quickly his circumstances changed. Lacking sufficient savings, he turned to community resources in search of assistance. The challenge of finding his way through the complex system of shelters was overwhelming, but he found a life-changing ally in Compass Family Services.
Support from Compass Family Services
“Compass Family programs, they helped me out the most,” Rojas stated, reflecting on the vital support he received. With their assistance, he was able to secure stable housing for his family in the South of Market area. This transition has brought a much-needed sense of relief to his son, Andres.
Andres expressed his feelings about their new living situation, saying, “It felt like to me, we’ve got like more of a life on our hands, then, being out there. It’s a little more sketchy. Being inside of a household feels kind of better.”
Maintaining Ties to His Roots
Highlighting the Housing Crisis
Rojas’ story is featured in “Fault Lines,” a documentary directed by Nate Houghteling that examines the ongoing housing crisis in California. “Here in California, we have 12% of the country’s population, but 50% of its unhoused population,” Houghteling observed. “If you go under the hood of that, you’ll find that it really is a supply and demand issue. We haven’t built enough homes for all the people that want to live here, which is why we have so many people living on the streets and why we are losing population in the state of California.”
Community Awareness and Future Outlook
As part of the documentary’s initiative to raise public awareness, a free screening of “Fault Lines” will be hosted at Glide Memorial Church on March 20th. Rojas hopes that by sharing his experiences, he can promote a better understanding of the obstacles facing the unhoused community in the Bay Area and beyond.
Expressing his gratitude, Rojas remarked, “I’m very grateful for it. I’m very grateful to have this apartment.” Fueled by his appreciation for his new home and love for his family, he remains resilient, facing each day with hope and determination.
