The clients of the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope come from all walks of life. And how they came to need the services and programs provided here at the campus range from domestic violence, physical and mental health challenges, loss of an income, a death in the family, and a dozen other life experiences that can lead to becoming homeless or near homeless. Their stories are powerful and examples of challenges, patience, determination, and support.
Their stories could be any of our stories.
We are honored to be able to help them.
Tracy’s Story
Tracy has experienced intermittent homelessness for the last three years due to the trauma 
of abuse combined with health issues. She is a team player with a sweet disposition who has proven to be a model resident of Camp Hope. During her 5 month transition from Camp Hope to housing, she acted as Assistant Camp Manager and later stepped up to be Camp Manager.
She recently moved to Sue’s House, a permanent supportive housing program. Tracy incites unity wherever she is; all of us at Mesilla Valley Community of Hope are so proud of her and ecstatic that she is now housed.
Mario’s Story
Fifty six year-old Mario is among one of Camp Hope’s hardest working clients. It had been five years since Mario experienced stable housing. At times he stayed at truck stops or slept on the street, spending days couch surfing. He lived at Camp Hope for four months. Despite occasional bouts of poor health, he consistently offered to help with maintenance around the camp such as repairing tent zippers. When Camp Hope had an issue with pet messes not being picked up, Mario, being the dog lover and overall great neighbor he is, helped solve the problem by devising a simple 
but ingenious handmade pet waste bag dispenser for all to use. Mario always has a kind word to say and is well liked by everyone he meets.
Our hearts swell with happiness to report that just before the holidays, Mario was housed. He is now enjoying life with his two fur babies, Baby and Mae. Mesilla Valley Community of Hope and clients such as Mario are better off because of your caring contribution. We hope we can count on your support for this upcoming Tent to Rents Campaign
Debbie’s Story
Debbie is
a 54 year old woman who has been homeless ‘off and on’ for half of her life. For years, she was in an abusive relationship. She turned to drugs, she says, “To deal with how bad I felt, how low I was. Drugs made me feel like I could cope, but drugs became my biggest problem. I was an addict. I ended up in prison. It was awful but it saved my life. I did my time and went to a half-way house. When I was released, I had nowhere to go. I couldn’t go back to my home town because I knew I would be pulled right back into trouble.”
“Thank God, I found Camp Hope. I found my life! I have been here since September. There are people here I really care about, friends. And the staff cares about all of us.”
Debbie has moved from a tent at Camp Hope into Sue’s House, a home for disabled, homeless women. “I am so excited. I haven’t lived in a home for so many years. I am excited but I am scared – it is new and different. I will be fine, I have made progress. Little steps but all in the right direction and I will have lots of support. ”
Barry’s Story
Barry is a 57 year old Veteran who has been homeless since August. He has an easy manner and is quick to claim both his failures and successes in life. Born and raised in a small town in Kentucky, he joined the Air Force when he was 19. Serving for 10 years, as a pharmacy tech, gave him training in drug toxicity and its symptoms. That experience made him part of the military medical team sent to Iran in 1980 to help extract the 52 American hostages that had been held for 444 days.
After discharging from the Air Force, Barry lived and worked in the Dallas area in large grocery distribution centers like Sam’s Club. Later in Kentucky, he joined County Market where he was a stocker and eventually worked into being assistant manager/crew leader. Barry came to Las Cruces in 2005 to visit his sister and ended up staying and enrolling in Doña Ana Community College. He went into the Hotel and Tourism Management program, worked hard, and was a Crimson Scholar. He wants to go back and finish his education to one day become a certified Executive Chef.
Barry says that last August, the living arrangement with his girlfriend had completely deteriorated and he had to leave. Not having any savings and uncomfortable with asking friends for help, he ended up on the streets. It didn’t take long for him to find the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope and start working with a case worker to help get his life back on track. Getting the necessary paperwork in place was a big job. Barry explains that being homeless can become a vicious cycle of loss – first your home, then other things go missing or are stolen. Replacing lost documents like a birth certificate, social security card, and other identification requires expertise in the process. That is part of what his case worker helped him do and he is very grateful.
“Giving back is only right. It’s important and fair. I volunteer for the Shower and Laundry program here at Community of Hope. Three days a week. Four hours each day. I am working as an overnight security guard so I have the time. They have helped me a lot. I want to help back. It’s good,” he says.
Two days after being interviewed for this article, Barry moved into his own apartment at Oak Street.
Petra’s Story
Petra, 55, is from a farm in Texas where she says she learned about family and hard work. 
She married and started her family when she was 15. Using those early lessons in hard work, Petra and her husband built a successful janitorial business. Sadly, divorce and serious health problems began to take a toll, and Petra lost her home. She lived in her car, with her much loved dog, Roscoe for over three years. Finding Community of Hope changed that and she and Roscoe are now living a Sue’s House, a home for disabled women. Petra says that you can’t tell a person’s story by looking at them and that sometimes people get ‘stranded in life and just need a little stability’.
Melody’s Story
Melody, 58, like many homeless teens and women, she ran away from home when she was 14 because of abuse. Though she did return many years later to help care for family, she 
found that even though the nature of the abuse changed, the cycle continued and she was forced to leave again. Melody has bounced around with long periods of homelessness and struggles to stay safe. Once she lived under an abandoned semi-trailer for awhile saying it felt very safe, “cold, but safe”. Melody is at Camp Hope for the second time and is now the Camp Manager. Staff and residents say she is super organized and a great listener and leader. Melody says, “I have learned to listen and to sometimes ask for help.” She recently received her housing voucher and is looking for a place to call home.
Valerie’s Story
Valerie, 43. Valerie’s sparkling eyes and bubbly personality hide the fact that there has 
been a lot of loss and upheaval in her life. From her childhood home in Shawnee, Oklahoma, she has bounced around all over the country, sometimes homeless and often having to deal with physical and mental health problems on her own. The worst time was just a year ago when her mother died and no longer able to cope, Valerie’s health seriously deteriorated. Familiar with Community of Hope, she was able to get help and stayed at Camp Hope working with her caseworker and doctors to stabilize her health. Recently she moved into Sue’s House, is feeling good is making plans for her future.
John’s Story
John, 51. About 7 years ago John came face to face with his ‘darkness’ as he calls it, when his long-term relationship ended due to his alcoholism. He participated in AA and now often leads meetings. He had always been active in the community and used this time to learn more about native healing practices and teach them to others. During the brief time he was homeless, it was while leading an AA program for veterans that a Community of Hope caseworker guided him to resources that helped him find housing and start building his future. He paid off student loans and enrolled in college earning an Associate degree. Currently, John is supervisor for Mano y Mano, a new joint program of Community of Hope and the City of Las Cruces and also will soon begin his education and training as a respiratory therapist.