Juan has leveraged his life experiences to drive transformative change. Born into a family of six, Juan encountered significant adversity, including his father's struggles with alcoholism and gambling addiction, which ultimately resulted in his parents' divorce. His mother, left to raise six children independently, worked diligently to provide for them, often leaving the children to fend for themselves. Juan's life took a devastating turn when he lost his older sister to suicide, leading him to drop out of school and struggle with substance abuse.

 

After reaching a critical juncture, Juan discovered that accessing treatment and housing was hindered by systemic barriers, including subpar sober housing options in unsafe neighborhoods. However, he persisted and found solace in a 12-step program, which marked the beginning of his journey towards healing and recovery. Now, with over three decades of recovery under his belt, Juan has become a prominent voice in his community, serving on various boards and councils, including the state's division of alcohol and substance abuse, and a gubernatorial appointment to the Washington State Department of Health GACHA Committee.

 

Juan's experiences have fueled his passion to revolutionize the recovery housing industry in Yakima County, where he now offers luxury recovery housing in safe neighborhoods in a supportive environment that empowers individuals to reclaim their lives and thrive.