A Journey of Courage, Resilience, and Gratitude: How Your Support Changed My Life 

As the year comes to a close, I find myself looking back with a heart full of gratitude. My life has transformed in ways I once thought were impossible, and it’s all thanks to people like you. 

Last month, many of you joined us at PRC’s Mighty Real Fundraiser, where I had the honor of sharing my story. For those who weren’t able to attend, I want to share it here as a reminder of why your ongoing support is so vital to the work PRC does every day. 

When I was sixteen, I made the brave decision to come out to my family. It was one of the most difficult decisions of my life because I knew it could mean losing them. I was given an ultimatum: deny who I was and conform to their strict beliefs or live as my true self and leave. I chose to be myself, even though it meant being on my own. 

At the time, I didn’t realize how much that experience would affect me. It was hard to process the trauma, and I didn’t have the tools to deal with it. I didn’t know it at the time, but I started self-medicating, and that led to substance abuse. Before I knew it, my life was spiraling out of control.

That’s when PRC stepped in. Because of your support, there was a safety net to catch me. I found the help I needed through PRC’s mental health and substance use treatment programs. They gave me the tools to rebuild my life and rediscover hope.  

Today, I am proud to say I am fully sober and free from substances. I went from working as a part-time bike messenger to becoming a coordinator in PRC’s Workforce Development program, where I now help others on their recovery journey. I’ve gained confidence, stability, and purpose, and I’m paying it forward every day. 

None of this would be possible without your ongoing support. Your belief in PRC ensures that people like me feel seen, heard, and valued. It transforms despair into hope, and hope into action. It’s because of you that I am proud to give back, to pay it forward, and to help build a community where everyone has a chance to thrive. 

Your generosity goes beyond financial support—it’s compassion in action—it’s life-changing. The support you give helps fund essential programs, like treatment at PRC’s home-care facilities, that give people like me a second chance. 

As we close this year, I invite you to continue being part of this movement. Increase your support with a year-end donation today. Your contributions don’t just fund programs—they save lives, rebuild futures, and create a ripple effect of positive change. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for seeing me, believing in me, and investing in a better future for us all. 

Basil Martinez